लोहड़ी के पर्व से जुड़ी एक प्राचीन मान्यता के अनुसार मुगल काल में राजा अकबर के शासन काल के दौरान उस समय पंजाब में एक दुल्ला भट्टी नामक एक व्यक्ति रहता था जिसे कुछ लोगों द्वारा डाकू भी कहा जाता था। उस समय पंजाब में व्यापार के मुनाफे के लिए न सिर्फ वस्तु का क्रय-विक्रय किया जाता था। बल्कि कुंवारी लड़कियों को भी अपने स्वार्थ के लिए कुछ व्यापारी मोटे दाम पर बेच देते थे। पर दुल्ला भट्टी इस कालाबाजारी से सख्त नफरत करते थे।
ऐसी स्थिति में दुल्ला भट्टी ने उन लोगों की मदद की जिसमें गरीब और असहाय भी शामिल थे। जिनके घर की बेटियों को मुगलों या अमीरों को बेच दिया गया था। ऐसे ही संकट में दुल्ला भट्टी ने अकेले कई लड़कियों को गुलामी से आजाद कराकर उनका विवाह कराया था और उस समय चूंकि दहेज प्रथा भी चरम पर थी तो दुल्ला भट्टी ने उन लड़कियों की शादी करवाने के लिए दहेज का इंतेजाम किया।
इस तरह दुल्ला भट्टी जनता के लिए एक फरिश्ता बनकर आए और आगे चलकर जनता ने फैसला किया कि हर साल दुल्ला पट्टी की याद में लोहड़ी का पर्व मनाया जाएगा। तभी से अब तक अनेक पीढ़ियों के बीच लोहड़ी के पर्व के मौके पर दुल्ला भट्टी की कहानी सुनने का प्रचलन शुरू हुआ और इस पर्व के मौके पर यह लोकप्रिय गीत गाया जाता है। अगर आपने अब तक दुल्ला भट्टी का नाम नहीं सुना था तो अब आप जान चुके होंगे क्यों पंजाबियों द्वारा लोहड़ी के मौके पर दुल्ला भट्टी गीत गाया जाता है।
मान्यता है संत कबीर दास की पत्नी लोई की याद में लोहड़ी का पर्व सिख समुदाय द्वारा मनाया जाता है। संत कबीर 15वीं शताब्दी के महान कवि और संत के रूप में जाने जाते हैं।
बैसाखी पर्व के समान ही पंजाबियों के लिए लोहड़ी का पर्व फसल, ऋतुओं से जुड़ा हुआ है। जनवरी के इस मौसम में खेतों में सरसों के फूल खिल खिलाते दिखाई देते है। और रवि की फसल काटकर घर में लाई जाती है, तथा लोहड़ी के पर्व के बाद से खेतों में मक्का और मूली उगाई जाती है।
लोहड़ी पर्व से जुड़ी एक पौराणिक मान्यता यह है कि जब सती के पिता प्रजापति दक्ष ने भगवान शिव का अपमान किया। तो इस दुख में उन्होंने यज्ञ में अपने प्राणों की आहुति दे दी थी इसलिए सती की याद में लोहड़ी का पर्व मनाया जाता है। किसानों द्वारा लोहड़ी का पर्व एक नए वित्तीय वर्ष (Financial Year) के तौर पर मनाया जाता है। माना जाता है लोहड़ी की आग (अलाव) जलाने के बाद रात्रि के समय घर को प्रस्थान करते समय दो चार कोयले अपने साथ घर लाना एक प्राचीन मान्यता है जिसका आज भी पालन किया जाता है।
इसके अलावा बता दें नए साल की शुरुआत में भारत के साथ साथ इसी तरह का त्यौहार ईरान में भी देखने को मिलता है। वहां ईरानी पारसियों द्वारा अपने प्राचीन त्यौहार चरान शंबे सूरी मनाया जाता है। जिसमें लोहड़ी की तरह आग जलाकर घेरा बनाकर उसमें मेवे अर्पित किए जाते हैं।
Lohri is celebrated in remembrance and praise of Dulha Batti. Dulha Batti was a Muslim robber who lived during the era of King Akbar. He was a robber but a good person. He would steal from the rich and distribute the wealth among the poor. He rescued girls who were being forcibly taken away. He arranged marriages of young girls with Hindu Boys and paid the dowries. He was a hero among the local Punjabis there who loved and respected him. Most Lohri songs are sung in praise of Dulha Batti which expresses their gratitude to him.
Siddhivinayak temple is located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra. In Marathi, Siddhivinayak is also known as Navsacha Ganapati, Navasala Pavanara Ganpati which means Ganpati bestows whenever humbly genuinely prayed. It is believed that it was here on the Siddhatek mountain Vishnu acquired Siddhi and as such the idol of Lord Ganesha here is called Siddhivinayak. The temple was first consecrated on 19th nov. in 1801. This is the second temple to be visited by the pilgrim in Ashtavinayak Yatra. Siddhi Vinayak is Ganesha who grants you wish. Today Siddhivinayak temple is considered as richest temple in Mumbai.
Siddhivinayak – Lord Ganesha
That original temple was small, it consist of a hall, a sanctum sanctorum and some free open space. The temple administrative office was on the right side and a water tank was in the front.
The idol of shri Siddhivinayak is 2.5 feet wide and 2.5 feet high. It is carved in a single stone. The deity has a third eye on its forehead, which resembles third eye of Lord Shiva. The deity here has four hands (chatrabhuj). In the upper right hand Ganesha is holding a lotus, and a small axe in upper left hand. A holy beads or rosemary in lower right hand and a bowl full of modak in its lower left hand. The trunk of Ganesha in this form is slightly twisted towards right making it unique. Around the neck deity has a snake like sacred thread. On both side are two idols of goddess Riddhi and Buddhi.
Legend:
When Lord Brahma was busy in creating the world. While this was going on Lord Vishnu fell asleep. Two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha emerged from his ears. Both the demons started troubling all Gods , Goddesses and sages. Lord Brahma and other Gods requested Vishnu to kill the the demons. Though Vishnu fought for 5000 years but still was unable to defeat them. So Vishnu prayed to Lord Ganesha got siddhi and then killed the demon. Hence, the place where Vishnu performed penance is called Siddhatek and Lord Ganesha who conferred siddhi is known as Siddhivinayak.
Today the temple has undergone a complete architectural transformation. It took three years to renovate the 200 year old temple. Keeping the idol intact temple has been built into a unique multiangular six storeyed structure. That reaches to the sky. Temple has a main central gold plated dome, small crown that surrounds are made of gold and panchdhatu. Main stone used were marble and pink granite. The wooden doors of the sanctum are carved with images of ashtavinayak. Siddhivinayak Temple is a good example of fine architecture.
This temple is one of the main attractions Mumbai City. Lord Ganesha takes away all the pain of the devotee and showers his blessings.
Moreshwar is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Moreshwar Temple is one among the eight temples of Ashtavinayak temples.
Moreshwar Temple
This temple is situated in Moregaon which is about 80 kms. from Pune city. At Moreshwar temple Lord Ganesha portrays peacock as its vehicle. In local language more or mayura means peacock, hence both temple and village has derived its name after the bird peacock.
This temple is most important and auspicious among the eight temples. As people begin their yatra by visiting Moreshwar temple first and ending it by visiting the temple again. This is the only temple among eight to be visited twice in ashtavinayak yatra.
This temple is in the center of the village with 50 feet high dome and four pillars in the corner. The temple is made of black stone and has four gates. A big Nandi bull made of black stone is sitting in front of the main gate and facing towards Moreshwar, the main deity.
In the eight corners of the temple are eight statues of Lord Ganesha namely
In the eastern gate, is the idol of Lakshminarayana. In the Southern gate is the idol of goddess Parvati and lord Shiva. In the western gate idols of Rati and Kama. In the Northern gate resides Mahivaraha.
Mayureshwar is three eyed and is in sitting posture with its trunk turned on to left. The idol is smeared with vermillion with diamonds placed in eyes and naval. The Nagraj is seen on the head of the deity. On either side are the brass idols of Siddhi and Buddhi. Mooshak and peacock stands in the front of the idol.
Lord Brahma created the idol of Moreshwar
It is believed that The Brahma consecrated the original idol, which is made of sand iron and diamonds. This was later enclosed in copper sheet by Pandavas and was placed behind the idol which is now worshipped.
The idol which is worshipped is smeared with thick layer of vermillion, hence it looks bigger than the original idol. It is believed that the layers of vermillion is cast off once in every century.
The idol of Nagna Bhairava is on the left of the main deity and is worshipped first by offering coconut and jaggery.
Legends
Long time ago a sage named Kashyap had two wives, Kudru and Vinta. Kudru sons snakes imprisoned Vinta’s sons Shyen, Sampati and Jatayu. Vinta was very disappointed. After few years she got one more son. However when her son was in the form of egg young Ganesha broke that egg and peacock came out of the egg. The newly born peacock had a intense fight with Ganesha. Finally, Vinta intervened to stop the fight and peacock agreed to become the vehicle of Ganesha but, laid a condition. Peacock wanted its name to be pronounced before Ganesha, and Ganesha should be popular by his name. Ganesha agreed to this and took the name of Mayuresh for himself. With the help of peacock he released Vinta’s sons from imprisonment.
Another interesting legend
There was a king named Chakrapani and his wife queen Ugra were childless. After worshipping Lord Surya ugra conceived. But, the brilliance and radiance of the foetus was such that Ugra was unable to nurture the embryo in her womb, so she released the embryo into the sea.
A brilliant and dominant child was born from that embryo. The guardian of the child, Sea, disguised as brahmin and handed over the child to the King Chakrapani. The child was named Sindhu, he grew into one of the strongest human on earth. He worshipped Lord Surya. Pleased with the worship Surya gave him nectar and said he will be immune to death as long as the nectar will remain near his navel. Unfortunately his blessing became curse for other Gods, as he started misusing his immortality.
He started fighting with Gods and even held Lord Vishnu and Indra in captive. Then other God prayed to Lord Ganesha to save them Sindhu.
Lord Ganesha promised to take birth as son of goddess Parvati and kill Sindhu. Lord Ganesha came riding on peacock and killed Sindhu with his Parashu in one go.
Genesha was hence named Mayureshwar, one riding on peacock. After the fight was over Ganesha decided to reside in Morgaon in his Mayureshwar form for the sake of his devotee.
Few people know that Lord Rama also had a sister, whose name was Shanta. Shanta who was daughter of King Dasharatha and Kausalya. Though Valmiki Ramayan does not mention about Rama’s elder sister. But in Mahabharata, there is a reference that Rompada, King of Anga, who was a close friend of Dasharatha has adopted his daughter.
Rompada adopts Shanta in childhood
Rompada, who was a close friend of Dasharatha was childless. Once he came to meet Dasharatha and expressed his desire to adopt his only daughter Shanta. Kaushalya was surprised to see how could he ask them to give their only daughter in adoption. But, the very next moment she realised that Rompada knew that Dasharatha has 3 wives and he can have many more children.Though Kaushalya was not very happy with the idea of adoption but she felt pity and decided to give her only child in adoption to the king Romapada.
Lord Rama, Shanta and Sita
Her childhood is spent at Rompada’s kingdom
Little girl Shanta was very close to Rompada was not able to understand adoption, but was very happy to go and stay with king Romapada.
King Romapada loved her so much that when she grew she forgot about Kausalya and Dasharatha, now she only knew that Romapada was his father and kingdom of Anga was her home.
A brahmin was insulted
One day Romapada was busy talking to his daughter Shanta, a brahmin came to ask for help in cultivation. Rompada did not pay attention to him. Angry brahmin left the kingdom.Lord Indra was very sad to see such insult of his devotee so he gave very little rainfall, due to which there was drought in the kingdom.
Everybody in the kingdom was worried about how to solve the problem. Few people came up with the idea that sage Rishyasringa, son of sage Vibhandaka, is the only person who can resolve the problem. Rompada wondered how? They said that he keeps on meditating all the time because he never had any distraction. His father sage Vibhandaka brought him in a forest near Anga. He has never seen any other human except his father. If he agrees to perform a yagna it would definitely rain.
Rishyashringa meets Rompada and Shanta
King Romapada send his best courtesans to bring sage Rishyasringa to his kingdom. When Rishyasringa saw them he was thrilled to meet them. When his father came to about this he was furious and warned him not to meet them. But he could not resist himself from meeting them. He was so happy that he left the ashram with them. Courtesan’s took him to kingdom of Anga. There he met king Romapada and his daughter Shanta, he was very happy to see them. Romapada offered Rishyasringa his daughter in marriage. He accepted the proposal and decided to stay with her for rest of his life.
Rishyasringa and Shanta performed the yagna, during the recitation of its mantra, it rained heavily and people were very happy and celebrated it like a festival.When sage Vibhandaka came and could not find his son, he could make out that it was the work of King of Anga. He decided to meet his son. Romapada and Shanta were prepared for this. Though Vibhandaka was very angry but when he saw his son with his beautiful and intelligent wife his anger cool down.
In Lalitapur, district of Nepal there is a temple of sage Rishyasringa and goddess Shanta. Whereas in Ayodhya, Dasaratha, father of Shanta had 3 wives but had no children who could carry on kingdom after him.
Dasaratha was so worried that he could not concentrate on the affairs of kingdom. One day he discussed this with his minister Sumantra. Sumantra suggested the name of sage Rishyashringa who was married to his daughter Shanta can help him. He said that he had lot of powers of penance. He also explained him how drought in Anga ended because of his yagna. He suggested that if sage Rishyashringa agreed to performed putrakameshti yagna for him he will definitely be blessed with sons.
Shanta takes part in Dasaratha’s yagna
Dasaratha went to kingdom of Anga. requested his friend to send Shanta and his husband Rishyashringa to perform yagna for him. Both of them gladly came with Dasaratha. As he possessed immense power of penance that he was able to perform the difficult yagna with ease.
Dasaratha is blessed with sons
At the end of the yagna, God of fire emerged and handed a pot of payasam to Dasaratha and said to feed this to his wives. So, that he will have children he always wanted. Dasaratha thanked Shanta and Rishyasringa for their help. After consuming payasam Dasaratha was blessed with four sons Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Lakshman is an important character of epic Ramayana. He is inseparable from Lord Rama, who is brother to him and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. His character is famous due to him being the brother of Lord Rama, but there are some facts which make him an important mythological character. Read on some interesting yet unknown stories about him.
Perhaps the most notable fact is that he could only have killed Ravan’s son Indrajit. Killing him required some stringent conditions to be fulfilled, which was not available in Lord Rama or Hanumana. So, despite all the warriors in his army, Lord Rama could not have won this battle.
Lakshman killed Ravana’s son indrajit
After the battle, Sage Agastya came to Ayodhya. There was lot of discussion about the battlefield, about killing of powerful demons like Ravan, Kumbhkaran, Meghnad, Atikaya. Sage Agastya said killing Meghnad was the toughest. People were anxious to know why killing of Meghnad was such a big deal.
Sage said, Meghnad was not a ordinary demon, he was conqueror of Indralok. He also possessed the three ultimate weapon of Trimurty, Brahmastra, Narayanastra and Pashupatastra.
Lakshman killing Indrajit
He could only be killed by someone who has not eaten, slept or seen face of a woman for 14 years. Peoples were surprised that how Lakshman could fulfill these conditions.
Lakshman explained that, he didn’t sleep for 14 years to guard Ram and Sita at night. Before going to exile his mother told him to guard Ram and Sita while they sleep. He is also known as Gudakesh.
He didn’t eat for 14 years because Ram gave him food but never asked him to eat it. Lakshman in his loyalty believed that he was born to serve Lord Rama and so he never did anything without being told.
He had never seen face of any lady during exile, though he was staying with Ram and Sita but he never saw Sita’s face, he always gazed at her feet. Thus, he was not able to recognize any of Sita’s jewelry except her anklet.
Lakshman is also known as “Gudakesh” because he did not sleep for 14 years
When Ram was exiled for 14 years, Sita and Lakshman accompanied him to the forest. To ensure the safety of his elder brother Rama and sister in law Sita, Lakshman decided to stay awake for 14 years. He approached Nidra Devi, Goddess of Sleep. He requested her not to give him sleep for 14 years so that he can be awake and guard Ram and Sita. Nidra Devi was impressed with his dedication and granted him the boom but only on condition that someone had to bear his sleep. His wife, Urmila agreed to take his sleep for entire 14 years. This is the reason why Lakshman is also known as Gudakesh. This was a very strong condition which made him capable of killing Meghnad. Meghnad had a boon that he can only be killed by a Gudakesh, a person who has defeated sleep.
Gudakesh Lakshman
Lakshman is incarnation of Sheshnag
Lord Vishnu and Sheshnaag
Shesh naga is king of all nagas. He holds all the planets of the universe on its hood. Sheshnag and Lord Vishnu are inseparable.Lord Vishnu is often depicted as resting on sheshnag, Shesh shaiya. When Lord Vishnu descended on earth as Rama, Sheshang accompanied him as Lakshman and later when Vishnu incarnated as Krishna, Sheshnag accompanied him as Balram.
Ram’s promise became the reason for his death.
When Rama realised that he had fulfilled his duties on earth, it was time for him to return to vaikuntha. But this could not be possible because of Hanuman as he would not allow Yama, the God of Death to meet Ram. So, he distracted Hanuman by engaging him to fetch his ring which he threw in Patal. Rama invited Yama, but Yama put a condition that their conversation should be confidential and anyone who entered the room should be punished by a death sentence. So, Rama entrusted Lakshman to guard the room so that no one could enter. Meanwhile sage Durvasa came and expressed his desire to meet Rama. At first, Lakshman refused politely but sage insisted and threatened to curse Ayodhya. To save Ayodhya, Lakshman decided to intercept the meeting.
Rama and Sage Durvasa
After the incident in order to fulfill Ram’s promise,he went to the bank of river Saryu and gave his life. Lakshman’s death was necessary before Rama’s death as he was incarnation of Sheshnag so he had to return before Vishnu could return to Vaikuntha.
He was later reborn as Balram in next birth.
Lakshman was incarnation of sheshnag. Sheshnaag is considered as servant and manifestation of Vishnu. He sings the glory of Lord Vishnu from all his mouths. He is inseparable from Vishnu, so when Vishnu descended on earth as Rama, Sheshnaag incarnated as Lakshman and when Vishnu incarnated as Krishna, Sheshnaag accompanied him as his elder brother Balram.
Krishna and Balrama
He never saw face of any lady for 14 years
During exile Laksham stayed with his brother Ram and Sister in law Sita, but he never looked at her face. He only gazed at her feet. When Sugriva showed them the jewelry thrown by Sita when Ravan was carrying her to Lanka, Lakshman could only identify Sita’s anklet. He said he had seen them while laying his head on her feet in worship. He was not able to recognize any other jewellery as he has never presumed to look closely at them.
Lakshman at the feet of Sita and Rama
He was the one to leave Sita near sage Valmiki’s ashram
When Rama and Sita returnedto Ayodhya after exile, they were crowned as king and queen. After sometime, Ram was disturbed by the gossip questioning about the purity and loyalty of Sita. Sita’s presence was bringing much doubt into the kingdom and and into his heart so, he decided to exile her for second time. Ram asked Lakshman to leave Sita deep into the forest. After hearing Rama’s decision Lakshman was heartbroken but he did what he was requested to do.He was distraughted on leaving her near sage Valmiki ashram. She took refuge in the ashram and later delivered twins Luv and Kusha.
Lakshman has plan to raise arm on Dasharath, Bharat and Parshuram
Though Dashrath was his father, he was enraged at him. He believed that Dashrath was acting unjustly to his son for a woman. During exile Bharata came to meet Ramato persuade him to come home. Lakshman thought he came to kill him so was about to raise arm against him. During Sita’s swayamvara when Ram broke the great bow of Shiva, Sage parshuram was enraged and threatened to kill Rama. So, Lakshman almost fought. In all the situations Lakshman was about to raise arms and fight for Ram but Ram himself made him calm down and think rationally.
This is the character of Lakshman which is often overlooked.
Ashwaththama is widely known for a misdeed done by him in the Mahabharta, but few of us know that he was a great warrior. He was the son of the guru of Pandavas, and Drona admired his son greatly.
Drona and Ashwaththama
He fought in the epic battle of Mahabharata as the commander of the forces from the camp of Kauravas (the antagonists) against the Pandavas (the protagonists), as did his father, Dronacharya.
As Karna was born with Kavach and Kundal, Ashwaththama also had a jewel (mani) embedded in his forehead which saved him from demons, Gods, snakes and from worldly botheration of hunger and thirst.
His hate with Pandavas
He developed great hatred towards Pandavas as they resorted to unjust means to neutralise Drona from the battlefield. After Duryodhana was defeated by Bhima, he became quite convinced to kill Pandavas by any means. With the help of Kripacharya, they attacked the Pandava’s camp in night and beheaded them. Later, it was discovered that Draupadi’s five sons, or upapandavas were killed.
Parikshit and Lord Krishna episode
He did not stop here. He did the most heinous thing. He tried to kill the unborn son of Abhimanyu’s in his mother’s womb. Drona loved Ashwaththama greatly, but he had the wisdom not to teach the Brahmastra in totality. So, Ashwaththama knew how to invoke that, but he did not know how to retract this deadly weapon.
So, when he invoked this on Abhimanyu’s son, and Shri Krishna had to intervene to save the future king of Hastinapur, known as Parikshit.
Shri Krishna saving Parikshit
After this, Shri Krishna took out the jewel from Ashwaththama’s head and cursed him to be alive. It is believed that he is still alive and suffering from ailments.
Thus a misdeed wiped all of his virtue. So much of qualities but so little achieved.
The temple is located 8 km away from mirzapur on the bank of river Ganga. Since the temple is located on the Vindhya mountain range hence it is called Vindhyachal and the deity residing here is known as Vindhyavasini devi. . There are many more interesting and important facts about Vindhyachal of which we are not aware. Here I am sharing few facts which you will definitely enjoy.
Vindhyachal Temple
Vindhyachal as a Shaktipeeth
Vindhyachal is considered as most special and holiest shaktipeeths, as it’s a combination of all the three superpower Goddess Durga, Goddess Kali and Goddess Saraswati. Goddess Durga resides in Vindhyavasini temple. Goddess Kali resides in Kali khoh temple. It is believed that Goddess Durga incarnated as Kali for killing demon Rakta Bija. Goddess saraswati resides in Ashtabhuja temple. Pilgrims visit these three temples to complete there trikon parikrama.
Birth of Lord Krishna
This place has significance with krishna’s birth. When Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudev at the same time devi Mahamaya was born to Nanda and Yashoda. She was taken to Kansa’s prison to fool Kansa. When Kansa tried to kill her she escaped from his hand and decided to reside here.
Legend of Devi Sati
Another legend refers that after the death of Sati, Lord Shiva carrying her body was wondering all across the world. Lord Vishnu then sliced her body with his sudarshan chakra. It is believed that toe of Sati fell here thus it is a shakti peeth.
Shiva and Sati
Sudarshan Chakra
Another Vindhyachal legend is also so special because this is the place where Lord Vishnu received Sudarshan chakra from Lord Shiva.
Mahishasur
Another legend says that Goddess Durga created the hillock upon which the temple stands after killing the demon Mahishasur.
Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva
It is also believed that this is the place where Goddess Parvati meditated to Lord Shiva. Thus it is one of the most important place where devotee visit during Navratri to seek devi’s blessings.
Kansa and Goddess Durga
Naming of Vindhyavasini Devi
Vindhyavasini Devi is popularly known as Kajala Devi. It is believed that Goddess Kali is adorned in the form of Vindhyavasini devi. Months of Chaitra, Ashwin, and jyestha are considered as special time for darshan of maa. In Jyestha, a kajala competition a folk genera are held here.
After the birth of Lord Krishna, Kansa arranged for numerous attempts on his life, but every time, the Lord killed the person who was appointed for his killing. Following is an incident involving the demon Shakatasur.
KILLING OF SHAKATASUR
Festival in Gokul
When Lord Krishna was twenty-seven days old, a festival was organised in Gokul. Mata Yashoda bathed the Lord and the worshippers recited hymns. Yashoda observed that baby was feeling sleepy, so putting him in a cradle, she left him under a cart. The cart was loaded with pitchers of milk, curd and butter. After sometime, lord Krishna awoke and began to cry with hunger, but Yashoda could not hear his cries.
Shakatasur on a chariot
Meanwhile, Shakatasur rode the cart and wanted to kill Lord by crushing him under the cart. But before he could act, the Lord touched the cart with his feet and cart turned over and all the utensils kept on it came crashing down. The demon,who wanted to kill Lord, was himself crushed to death under the cart.
Shakatasur Nirvana
Other boys, who were playing nearby, informed the Gopis that the little Kanhaiya had turned over the loaded cart, but they did not believe the kids. Yashoda ran in horror and lifted the baby in her lap. The Brahmins recited pacifying hymns then. Thereafter the baby was bathed again with holy water. A feast of Brahmins followed then.
Liberation of Shakatasura
This is how, Shakatasur was killed by Lord Krishna.In previous life, he was a son of Hiranyaksa named Utkaca. He went to the hermitage of Lomasa Muni and broke some trees there and was cursed to become bodiless. (He had a huge body). He then fell at the Muni’s feet and begged for mercy. The Muni told him that in the next manvantara he would be touched by the foot of the Lord and would be liberated.
Shortly after the birth of Lord Krishna, Kansa started to think of ways to kill the child. After his discussion with evil ministers,, he sent a cruel ogress Pootana to kill all the newly born babies in his kingdom. In the guise of a pretty woman, she entered Gokul.
Pootana finds Lord Krishna
She searched for new-born babies and entered Nand’s home eventually. Baby Lord Krishna was sleeping in the cradle. He was aware of her arrival; but posed as if he were fast asleep. He was only six days old then.
Pootana’s breasts were filled with poison. Such as someone lifts a sleeping snake mistaking it for a rope. Similarly she lifted the baby who proved her death. Pootana took Lord Krishna to a secluded place and began to breastfeed him.
Lord Shiva was also there
Lord prayed to Lord Shiva who came to stay in His throat and drank all the poison from the milk. Thereafter the Lord began to suck her life. She could not withstand the pain began to cry loudly and writhe nervously.
Krishna killing Pootana
End of Pootana
As her death approached, she regained her real, ogress appearance. All the men and women were frightened when they saw the huge, formidable body of ogress. But when they saw Krishna playing nearby, their fear gone and with joy they lifted the baby and soothed him.
Meanwhile, Nand and his fellow Gopas too arrived from Mathura. Pootana’s body testified the truth of Vasudev’s words. Gopas cut her body into many pieces and burnt them outside Gokul. When her body was burning, a sweet smell of Agar (a kind of scented wood used in incense making) spread all around. Because Lord himself had fed on her milk, So all her sins were destroyed.
Thus, we see that even the sins of a ogress were destroyed merely by feeding the lord. In a way, she got the distinction of becoming Lord’s mother.
