Ganapati Bappa’s family is less talked about. Here we are addressing this need of readers to know about his family.
His wives
Lord Ganesha has two wives – Riddhi and Siddhi. Brahma created two beautiful women named Riddhi (wealth and prosperity) and Siddhi (intellectual and spiritual powers). Brahma gave them in marriage to Ganesha. This happened because Gods have complained to Brahma that Ganesha troubles them a lot and something should be done about this.
Story of Marriage of Lord Ganesha
As Ganesha had an elephant-head no girl was ready to marry him. While all other gods had a consort he did not have one and this angered Ganesha. He started creating problems in the marriages of Devas (demigods). He asked rats to dig up holes on the path through which wedding procession of any Deva would go to the bride’s house.
The Devas faced innumerable problems in their weddings. Fed up with the activities of Ganesha, the Devas complained to Brahma, who agreed to solve the problem.
देवराज इंद्र ब्रज के लोगों से बहुत क्रोधित हुए क्योंकि लोग भगवान कृष्ण की बातों को सुनकर गोवर्धन पर्वत की पूजा कर रहे थे और इंद्र देव की पूजा नहीं कर रहे थे।
देवराज इंद्र ने क्रोधित होकर उन्हें दंडित करने के लिए घनघोर वर्षा करने के लिए बादलों को भेजा जिसके कारण पूरे वृंदावन में बाढ़ की संभावना उत्पन्न हो जाए।
आदेश देते हैं वृंदावन के ऊपर काले मेघों ने अत्यधिक वर्षा करना शुरू कर दिया। अत्यधिक वर्षा और बाढ़ के कारण ज्यादातर लोगों के घर पानी में बह गए।
वृंदावन के लोग डर गए और सभी भगवान कृष्ण की शरण में पहुंचे। भगवान कृष्ण को इस परिस्थिति के बारे में सब कुछ ज्ञात हो चुका था। उसी समय कृष्ण ने पूरे गोवर्धन पर्वत को अपने बाएं हाथ की छोटी उंगली पर एक छतरी की भांति उठा दिया।
वृंदावन के सभी लोग और गाय एक-एक करके गोवर्धन पर्वत के नीचे आने लगे और इस प्रकार कृष्ण ने वृंदावन के लोगों की जान बचाई। कृष्ण के इस आलोकित चमत्कार को देखकर सभी वृंदावन के लोग आश्चर्यचकित रह गए। भगवान कृष्ण की शक्ति को देख कर बादल वापस लौट गए और व्रज वासी ख़ुशी से रहने लगे।
Akshaya Tritiya is a very important festival for both Hindu and Jain. This is also known as Ati or Akha Teej. The day is auspicious for new venture, marriage, investment in gold or property or any new beginning.
Importance of Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is considered a very auspicious because Sun and Moon are at their exaltation point. So this is considered best time to to perform any auspicious work.
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya means imperishable or never diminishing and tritiya means third. It is believed that whatever we do on akshaya tritiya, it grows with time. So it’s the best day to start a new business. Buying gold on this day is also a symbol of prosperity.
Birth of Lord Parshurama
Importance of AkshayTritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is also celebrated as as birth of Lord Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Stories related to Mahabharata
It is believed that Ved Vyas began to write the Mahabharata. Ved Vyas wrote the epic with the help of Lord Ganesha
It is also believed that on Akshaya tritiya Sun God gifted Akshaya patra to Pandavas. It had never failing supply of food, each day it would get exhausted only when Draupadi will finish her meal.
Akshaypatra
Other Facts about Akshaya Tritiya
This day is marked as the beginning of Treta Yug.
This was the day when Goddesses Durga killed Mahishasura after a fierce battle.
Mahishasur Mardini
Sudama visited Krishna on this day.
Doors of all the temples of 4 dham are open on this day.
Chanting of mantras, charity , yagna and offering to God and fasting on this day yields inexhaustible fruits.
Holy river Ganga was descended on Earth from Heaven on this day.
Bhagirath doing penance to bring Ganga on earth
It is also believed that the couple who get married on this day are blessed with eternal prosperity and bliss by the god themselves.
In Odisha, annul construction of chariot begins on this day. for Puri Rath yatra.
There is an important temple of Lord Balaji (Lord Hanuman) in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad. This temple was established in 1981 and currently attracts lot of Bhaktas here.
Manokamna Siddha Balaji Mandir
This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanumana, but houses other Devi Devtas as well. Lord Vishnu, Devi Lakshmi, Rama and Lakshman, Lord Shiva, Navgrah and Sai Baba, all are present here.
Shringar of Bhagwan Hanuman
On the auspicious day of Tuesday or Saturday, Shringar of Lord Hanuman is performed. This is done in following stages:
Paste of Vermilion and Jasmine oil is prepared
This paste is applied on the body of Lord Hanumana. This has a significance that Once Lord has applied the vermilion to his whole body after seeing that Devi Sita was applying vermilion to protect her husband, Lord Rama.
Lord’s feet and hand are covered with silver foil
Old clothes are changed with new ones
The new clothes are offered to Lord Hanumana. After that Aarti is performed.
Pandit Jee Shri Sanjay Pandey normally perform this ritual on Tuesday and Saturday.
Pandit Jee Sanjay Pandey along with Bhakta doing Shringar of Lord
Lord Radha Krishna and Lord Shiva are also in this Temple. There is a huge gathering of bhaktas happen in this temple on auspicious occasions.
Some of the great pictures of Lord Hanumana. Hope you will like them!
Hanuman-jeeHanumana and Sun
Jai shri Hanuman
Bhakt HanumanThe famous Panchrupi roopa of Lord Hanuman, this was required to kill a demon.Lord Hanumana in his childhood with his motherLord Hanumana at Patan DeviThis is a fact that in Patna, two idols of Lord Hanumana are kept side by side.
भगवती माँ दुर्गा जी के चौथे स्वरुप का नाम कूष्मांडा है। देवी कूष्माण्डा अपनी मन्द मुस्कान से अण्ड अर्थात ब्रह्माण्ड को उत्पन्न करने के कारण इन्हें कूष्माण्डा देवी के नाम से जाना जाता है। मां कूष्मांडा वही हैं जो पूरे ब्रह्मांड को खुद निंयत्रित करती हैं। यह तब से हैं जब पूरी दुनिया पर अंधकार का कब्जा था। तब इन्होंने अपनी मुस्कान की छटा बिखेरी और पूरी दुनिया में रौशनी ही रौशनी भर उठी।
Maa Kushmanda
यह वही हैं जो सूरज को इतनी शक्ति देती हैं कि वह चमक सके। इस देवी का वास सूर्यमंडल के भीतर लोक में है। सूर्यलोक में रहने की शक्ति क्षमता केवल इन्हीं में है। इसीलिए इनके शरीर की कांति और प्रभा सूर्य की भांति ही दैदीप्यमान है। इनके ही तेज से दसों दिशाएं आलोकित हैं। इन देवी की सवारी सिंह है और इन्हें कुम्हड़े की बलि बहुत प्रिय है। ये देवी अत्यल्प सेवा और भक्ति से ही प्रसन्न होकर आशीर्वाद देती हैं। सच्चे मन से पूजा करने वाले को सुगमता से परम पद प्राप्त होता है।
Maa Kushmanda
देवी कूष्मांडा अष्टभुजा से युक्त हैं अत: इन्हें देवी अष्टभुजा के नाम से भी जाना जाता है. देवी अपने इन हाथों में क्रमश: कमण्डलु, धनुष, बाण, कमल का फूल, अमृत से भरा कलश, चक्र तथा गदा है । देवी के आठवें हाथ में बिजरंके (कमल फूल का बीज) का माला है है, यह माला भक्तों को सभी प्रकार की ऋद्धि सिद्धि देने वाला है । देवी अपने प्रिय वाहन सिंह पर सवार हैं। जो भक्त श्रद्धा पूर्वक देवी की उपासना दुर्गा पूजा के चौथे दिन करता है उसके सभी प्रकार के कष्ट रोग, शोक का अंत होता है और आयु एवं यश की प्राप्ति होती है।
Maa Kushmanda story
संस्कृत भाषा में कूष्मांडा कुम्हड़े को कहते है ! बलियों में कुम्हड़े की बलि इन्हें सर्वाधिक प्रिय है ! इस कारण से भी कूष्मांडा कही जाती है |
As per Hindu scriptures, Goddess Durga or Shakti is the the most powerful deity. She is Mother of Universe. Durga is the manifestation of mother Parvati when evil forces threatened the very existence of Gods. In Sanskrit, Durga means a place which is difficult to win. She got the name because of her protective and combative nature. She is the protector of what is good and harmony. It is believed that she originated to kill the demon Mahishasurahence also known as Mahishasurmardini. Maa Durga also slayed the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Maa Durga is depicted as 8 or 10 hands which represents 8 quadrant or 10 directions . Thus, it is believed that she protects her devotee from all the directions. She also holds different weapons in different hand like Sudarshan chakra, Sword, Trident, Bow and Arrows, Thunderbolt and Mace. She also holds Conch and Lotus in other two hands and one hand is in Abhaya Mudra.
Her Vehicle
She rides on a lion. Lion represents power, will and determination. Durga riding on a lion symbolises she possesses unlimited powers and uses it to protect virtue and destroy evil. The lion is also believed to represent the primal instincts of the Goddess, which she uses to protect her devotees and defeat evil forces. Goddess Durga rode a lion during her battle with the demon Mahishasura, who had the form of a buffalo. The lion helped her in her battle against the demon, and she was able to defeat him and restore peace and order to the world
Trayambake
She is also known as Triyambake as she has 3 eyes. Her left eye represents Desire-Moon, right eye represents Action- Sun and her central eye represents Knowledge or Fire.
Protector
Maa Durga protects from all evils and negativity. Navratri is the most auspicious time to please Goddesses. During Navratri nine forms of Durga is worshipped for nine days to get her unlimited blessings. To please Goddess Durga several mantras are chanted throughout the year specially during Navratri. It is believed that chanting Durga mantra has power to transform our lives and give us more shakti.
There are several mantras to please Goddess Durga but the most simple and easy is “OM SRI DURGAYA NAMAH’’ It is believed that chanting this mantra regularly will remove physical, mental and worldly problems in life and will shower us with her unlimited blessing. Devi mantras are also known as Siddhi mantra. Each and every mantra is full of energy and power. It is believed that when mantras are chanted with devotion it gives positive results . It helps to remove all the trouble and bless with success.
Most powerful Mantra
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते
We bow to you O Devi Narayani. You are the the auspicious for everyone, you bring happiness . You are the one who completes every work for everyone. You are protector of everyone. You are the one with 3 eyes and a beautiful face. We salute you, O Narayani. She is the most auspicious one and the one who bestows auspiciousness upon all the worlds. She is pure and holy. Maa protects those who surrender to her and is also called the three eyed one and Gauri (daughter of mountain king). I bow down to Mother Durga who is the sister of Maha Vishnu.
Benefits of this Mantra
This mantra is believed to bring good fortune, prosperity, and happiness to those who chant it. It is dedicated to the Goddess Durga and praises her as the source of all that is auspicious and holy. The mantra is also believed to provide protection from negative energies and bring peace and harmony to one’s life. Chanting the Sarv Mangal Mangalye mantra regularly is said to enhance one’s spiritual growth and connect them with the divine energy of the universe. This mantra is recited almost during all celebrations, rituals and events. Regular chanting can give wisdom and strength combined with a prosperous life.
2. Devi Stuti
या देवी सर्वभुतेषु क्षान्तिरूपेण संस्थिता
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः
या देवी सर्वभुतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः
या देवी सर्वभुतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः
Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, shanti rupena sangsthita
Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, shakti rupena sangsthita
Ya devi sarva bhuteshu, matri rupena sangsthita
Yaa devi sarva bhuteshu, buddhi rupena sangsthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha
Meaning of above Mantra
The goddess who is omnipresent as the personification of universal mother
The goddess who is omnipresent as the embodiment of the power
The goddess who is omnipresent as the symbol of peace
Oh, Goddess (Devi) who resides everywhere in all living beings as intelligence and beauty
I bow to her, I bow to her, I bow to her again & again
Benefits
It helps to build inner power and allows the devotee to develop healthy, loving relationships. Chanting of this Mantra blocks negative thoughts and banish ignorance.
3.Maa Durga Dhyaan Mantra
ॐ जटा जूट समायुक्तमर्धेंन्दु कृत लक्षणाम |
लोचनत्रय संयुक्तां पद्मेन्दुसद्यशाननाम ||
Om jataa jut samaayuktamardhendu krit lakshnam|
Lochanyatra sanyuktam padmendu sadya shan naam ||
Benefits of Dhyaan mantra
This mantra is chanted before chanting any other Durga Mantras. It is important for all specially for children . As it helps in focus and maintaining one’s concentration in all field.
4. Maa durga Shatru Shanti Mantra
रिपव: संक्षयम् यान्ति कल्याणम चोपपद्यते |
नन्दते च कुलम पुंसाम माहात्म्यम मम श्रृणुयान्मम ||
Ripavah sankshayam yaanti kalyaanam chop padyate |
Nandate cha kulam punsaam maahaatmyam mam srinu yaanmam ||
Benefit of Shatru Shanti Mantra
This powerful mantra provide protection against all negativeness, enemies and adversaries. Regular chanting of mantra has power to destroy enemies. It also brings prosperity, bliss and peace in one’s life.
This powerful mantras has power to remove all kind of obstacles problems and misery in one’s life. It is also believed chanting this powerful mantra rings wealth and prosperity.
It one suffers from nightmare, Chanting this powerful mantra helps in getting relief from all kind of negative thought and fearful dreams. This mantra also has power to nullify the malefic effect of bad planetary movements.
7. Maa Durga Mantra for calming restless and fearful baby.
बालग्रहभिभूतानां बालानां शांतिकारकं
सङ्घातभेदे च नृणाम मैत्रीकरणमुतमम
In English:
Baal grah bhibhutaanaam baalaanam shantikaarkam
Sanghatbhede ch nrinaam maetri karan mutmam
Benefit of the Mantra
This powerful mantra helps to calm a restless and fearful child. Sometime child feels that unnatural and spectral being are troubling him thus he feels haunted. In such case parent can chant this mantra to eliminate all such negative energy that is disturbing the child.
You who are perpetually endeavouring to protect the weak and the poor and remove their misery. Oh Narayani, I pray to you. Oh Goddess Durga, please protect us from all kinds of fear. Oh omnipotent Durga, I pray to you. Oh Goddess, when you are pleased, remove all ailments and when you are angry, destroy everything that a person desires for. However, those who come to you for sanctuary never have to confront any casastrophy. Instead, such people secure enough merit to provide shelter to others.
Whoever listens to the story of the Goddess during the great Puja that is organised in the winters succeeds in overcoming all obstacles and is blessed wealth and progeny.
Oh Goddess, bless me with good fortune, good health, good looks, success and fame. Oh Vaishnavi, you are the very basis for the world. You have mesmerized the World. When you are pleased with some one you ensure his salvation from the cycle of life and death.
Oh Goddess, you who are known by the names of Mangala, Kali, Bhadra Kali, Kapalinee, Durge, Kshama, Shivaa, Dhatri, Swahaa, Swadha, I pray to you.’
Maa Durga mantras are very powerful and have potential to help solve one’s issue and relax one’s mind. Durga Maa protect her devotee from all evils and mishappening. The effectiveness of mantras depend on the mental discipline involvement and its correct recitation.
Durga Saptashati, also known as Devi Mahatmya or Chandi Path, is a Hindu scripture that praises and glorifies the Goddess Durga. It comprises 700 verses divided into 13 chapters and is considered one of the most important texts in Hinduism. The scripture tells the story of how the Goddess Durga defeats the demon Mahishasura and his army, thereby restoring peace and order to the universe. It also highlights the different aspects of the Goddess, such as her power, strength, and compassion. The chanting of Durga Saptashati is believed to bring blessings, protection, and spiritual growth to the devotees of the Goddess.
Welcome to the Navratri Quiz. Do you know Rama offered his eye to Devi Durga. One form of Durga rides a donkey. There is more. If you know the answers, you can submit this through comments section. Happy Quizzing!
Devi herself has manifested herself before Rama and Lakhshman and said that she was happy with their worship. Which day of Navratra was that day?
In order to defeat Ravana, Rama started Devi Durga worship. He had to offer Blue lotuses to Goddess but one lotus was missing. Himself being called Kamalnayan Lord Rama started to take out his one eye. At this point, Goddess Chandika (Durga) appeared before him and blessed for Victory.
Which form of Navdurga rides a Donkey?
She looks formidable but Devi is very benevolent to her Bhaktas.
Which form of Devi was born to a Sage?
Which form of Devi creates the solar system?
She contains pitcher which is full of blood.
Lord Rama has also observed Navratri Vrata. Who has advised him on how to perform this puja?
Rama and Ravana – The Ramayana
Lord Kartikeya was born to this form of Goddess Durga. Which is that form?
Which form of Devi is also known as “Shubhamkari” ?
Which form of Devi was cleaned with water of The Ganges by Lord Shiva?
Boons are integral part of Indian Mythology. Lord Brahma is associated with some of the famous boons. Here are some of the famous boons are detailed. I am sure you will enjoy some of the known and unknown boons.
Meghnaad’s boon
He was granted boon by Brahma that he would never be won over in any battle, until his Yagna (fire-worship) of his native goddess Nikumbala was disturbed and destroyed. Lakshman disturbed his yagna and finally killed him in the battle.
Lord Shiva’s boon to Jayadrath
Jayadrath had a boon that he could hold all the Pandavas for a day in battle, except for Arjuna. This proved to be undoing of Abhimanyu when Arjuna was not around in the battle and Drona formed a Chakravyuha. When Arjuna heard this, he vowed that he will kill Jayadrath or will sacrifice his life. Lord Krishna has to do a bit of work to deal with this situation. Even killing of Jayadrath was tricky which will be detailed in next section.
Jayadrath abducting Draupadi
Jayadrath father’s boon
Whosoever causes the head of his son to fall on the earth, his head would blow into thousand pieces.One day Jayadratha met his father Vridhakshtra who was a sage. He asked his father to grant him a boon by which he could choose the time of his death just like Shantanu who gave a similar boon to Devavrata (i.e. Bhishma). He said that who ever caused the head of Jayadrath to fall on the ground, will be killed immediately by having his own head burst into hundred pieces. When Arjuna beheaded Jayadrath, he ensure that his head falls in the lap of his meditating father.
Arjuna killing Jayadrath
Bhishma from Shantanu
Shantanu blessed his son that he would chose his own time of death. This was following the Bhishma pratigya taken by Devvrata.
Bhishma taking oath for being unmarried – Bhishma Pratigya
Durvasa to Kunti
Birth of Pandavas. Kunti served sage Durvasa for a year and he became very pleased with her. He has given her a mantra. Using this, she could call any god at anytime who would assist her in begetting a son. Kunti used this mantra four times and Madri couple of times.
Sage Parashar’s boon to Satyavati
Satyavati, the mother of Ved Vyasa, smelled like a fish. Sage Parashar saw her once and got smitten by her beauty and proposed her. Satyavati put forth couple of conditions, one of them was that she should get rid of the smell from her body. Parashar told her that this would be fulfilled and instead of the smell, a fragrance will emanate from her body which can be sensed miles away.
Satyavati and Sage Parashar
Boon of Vali
Ram has to kill him in disguise because of a boon. While in fight, opponents half strength would be transferred to him. This story is also available in the link given above.
Parshuram’s boon to Karna
Parshuram cursed Karna which resulted in him being defeated in the Mahabharata. But Parshuram also blessed Karna to have everlasting fame.
Boon to Hiranyaksha by Brahma
Once Hiranyaksha did a lot of austerities so that Lord Brahma would give him a boon. He asked and received a boon that no god, demon, beast or human could ever kill him. He was killed by Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Hiranyakashyap’s boon
Hiranyakashyap had a similar boon. And his boon also included that he would not be killed in day or night, inside or outside a house, nor by a human or beast. He was killed by Narsingh avatar – a Vishnu dashavatar. His son Prahlad was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and he summoned his lord after Hiranyakashyap challenged him that where is his lord?
Shiva’s boon to Arjuna
The boon which Arjuna is said to have received was called Pashupata, Shiva’s most powerful weapon.
Lord Shiva giving Pashupata astra to Arjuna – Mahabharat
Boons to Hanuman
Hanuman was blessed with two boons which were useful in Sunder Kand.
First was given to him by Brahma that no weapon could harm him. When Brahmastra was used on him, he let himself captured to honour the greatest weapon brahmastra.
Second was given to him by Surya. He was given Laghima and Garima (to be able to attain the smallest or to attain the biggest form). With the helo of these, he went past Sursa.
Shiva’s boon to Ganesha
Shiva granted Ganesha a boon that before beginning of any undertaking or task people would worship Lord Ganesh. Thus the reason for worship of ganesha before start of any work.
Brahma’s boon to Anjana
Anjana was initially cursed to live as a vanaar, Brahma told her that she would be absolved of the curse if she gives birth to a incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Karna’s boon to Kunti
Karna assured Kunti that will not use a weapon twice against Arjuna. He later did not use the Naga astra. He also promised Kunti that she will have five sons, so he did not killed Pandavas other than Arjuna, though he could do so.
Kaikeyi’s boon by Dashrath
Dashrath granted couple of boons to Kaikeyi during Dev Asur sangram. Dashrath was deeply wounded and he was tended by Kaikeyi. She claimed two boons that Dasharatha had long ago granted her, which resulted in Lord Rama’s vanvaas.
Shiva’s boon to Draupadi for desired husband(s)
Draupadi wanted to have a husband with fourteen qualities. Shiva said this is difficult. Upon insistence, he said that she will get five husbands. He gave another boon to her.
Draupadi’s boon to remain as a virgin
Shiva granted a boon that she would regain virginity as soon as she takes a bath in the morning. Thus she was able to become the wife of five pandavas at the same time.
