Category Archives: Indian Mythology

Revealing the Hidden Gems of Lord Tirupati Balaji

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Tirupati is a place  Lord Vishnu chose as an alternative to Vaikunth his celestial home of Lord Venkateshwara. Tirumala temple stands on a hill range comprising seven peaks, representing & hoods of Adisesha. Lord Balaji is also called Lord of seven hills.

Lord Venkateshwara or Lord Balaji at Tirupati temple

Here are some interesting and unknown facts about the  Balaji temple.

The uniqueness of Arch

The Arch at the entrance of Tirumala Hills is unique in the world. Natural arch, Tirumala Hills is a distinctive geological wonder located a km. north of Tirumala Hills temple. The Arch is also known as Silathoranam. Sila is rock and thoranam is garland  strung over a threshold connecting two vertical column as  an  arch. Arch measures 8m in width and 3m. in height. It is one of the few natural arches in Asia.

Balaji temple arch
  • The arch resembles the hood of serpent, a conch and discus all symbol of worship in Hindu religion and considered to be source of the idol of Lord Venkateswara or Lord Balaji.
  • Main deity in Tirumala temple is of the same height as the height of the Arch.
  • Lord Vishnu is supposed to be have put his first foot down at place called Padalu, which is highest point of Tirumala hills, Second step at location of arch and thereafter next step is stated to have been placed where his idol is now worshipped in the temple at Tirumala.

Application of Green Camphor has no ill effect

A Chemical, kachcha Kapooram (Green Camphor) is a soft white chemical is applied on the idol of Balaji everyday. Fact is if this chemical is applied on granite, cracks will appear on it. But , surprisingly this is applied on Balaji every day still there is no damage to the stone.

Idol of Balaji always maintain a temperature of 110 degree F.

The temple is at a height of about 3000 feet so the climate is normally cold and also every morning at 4:30 am Abhishekam is done in which the idol is bathed with water, milk as well as other dravayam. After the bath sweat appears in form of fine water particles on the body of the idol . Sweat is wiped with silken cloth. On every thursday when ornaments are removed before sacred bath it is noticed that they are warm.

The story about Lord’s Chin

At the entrance of the main door, to the right side a stick which was used by Ananthaaivar to his Venkaleshwara Swamy is present. When this stick was used to hit the Small boy Venkateshwara his chin was hurt. Since then the practice of applying sandalwood paste on Swamy’s chin started.

Lord Venkateshwara chin

Why hair is given to Lord

When Balaji lost small portion of hair after hit by shepherd, Neela devi a Gandharva princess cut a portion of her hair and implant it on his scalp. Lord Balaji promises her that all his devotees who come to his abode should render their hair to him, and she would be recipient of all the hair received . It remains a miracle that there is a real hair on the main idol of  Venkateswara Swamy. The authorities says that this hair is always silky smooth and never entangles. Nearly 1.08 crore devotee offer their hair to the Lord and nearly 1.5 crore disposable blades are used for the purpose, TTD gets an income of  200 crore per year with the sale of the offered hair.     

Tirupati – hair offerings

Dress of Lord Balaji

The length of the silken dress of Lord Balaji is around 21 arm length. (roughly one arm length is one and a half feet ), and its weight is around 6 kilogram. This can not be brought from any shop. devotee willing to offer dress submit assigned sum at the temple office towards the cost of the dress offered by the devotee. Andhra Pradesh govt. also offers one set dress twice in a year. Every friday 15 such outer garments are accepted for offering. For this there is  waiting period of at least 10 years or more.

How the garment of Lord Consort is prepared?

The inner garment of Lord Balaji’s consort  Goddess Alarmelumanga are made of cotton at a place called Kathwaal. The weaver of this garment belong to Chechu tribe and they prepare it with utmost devotion. Since this inner garment touches the body of Goddess, the weaver take bath thrice daily during the preparation of the dress, They don’t touch liquor or any non- vegetarian food.

Worship rituals

The worship of Lord Balaji is done as Mother Goddess Amba (Ambal) for 4 days, Lord Maha Vishnu for 2 days and Lord Shiva for one day in a week. Bilva leaves a must for worship of Lord Shiva are used during archana. Venkateshwara Swamy appears to be standing in the middle of the Garba Guddi. Actually, Swamy stands at the right side corner of the Garba Guddi . This can be noticed from standing outside.

Tirupati Garbhagudi

Abhishekam of Lord

Abhishekam is performed every morning from 4:30-5:30. many items required for  Abhishekam are imported from abroad like saffron from Spain, kasturi from Nepal, Punugu from China, certain fragrance material from Paris. These items are mixed with sandal paste prepared in a golden plate. 51 small kalasam of milk is offered in Abhishekam. Then they apply Kasturi and Punugu to the idol. Specially packed roses are air-freighted from Amsterdam. Many fragrant items are sent from China to Balaji. These include chinese camphor, akila(a scented wood similar to sandalwood , sandalwood, amber, kumkum, thamalam etc.

There is also a traditional belief in vogue that Balaji has a third eye which he opens at the time of Abhishekam.

Preparation of food

The temple authority buy a mud pot daily in which curd and rice is offered to Lord. Except curd rice no other cooked or prepared  food item ever cross the  Kulasekara’s steps and enter the sanctum sanctorum. It is deemed to be big blessing indeed if any devotee gets the used mud pot and any left over of the curd and rice offered to Lord Balaji.

Lord’s ornaments

The value of ornament of Balaji is around 1000 crores (appreciates as the market rises). salagrama is golden necklace its weight is around 12 kgs, surya kadari- weighs around 500 kgs, pada kavasam (leg covering ) weighs around 375 kgs. The single blue stone that is in possession of the temple is a unique and can not be found anywhere in world.

The God with no Weapon

Normally any Hindu God idol in sathvik and shanthi posture would be depicted with at least one weapon in one of the hand. But, in case Lord Balaji has no weapon in his hand . He is Nirayudha Pani. In ancient Tamil literature he is described as Verungai Vedan, a hunter without any arms in hands.

Abhishekam water or liquids are let out through pipe into a nearby sacred tank of the temple called Pushkarani. Hence the water in the tank is also considered sacred.  It is believed that the sacred water is capable of removing one’s sin on taking a dip in it. After taking a dip people offers Arghyam.

The Garland

Flower garland worn by the idol of female devotee known as Sri Aandaal at Srivilliputhur temple of Tamil nadu is brought daily to the hills and offered to Lord Balaji. Sri Aandaal worshipped Lord Balaji as her God.

The Secret Village

There is a secret village about 22 kms from town which allows only residents of the village to enter. It is said that village has a garden of flowers from where flowers are fetched and used in the sanctum of Lord Venkateshwara. All the flowers used in garba gudi are in condition brought out. There is a waterfall behind the swamy and all the flowers used are thrown in the waterfall. There are about 1180 stone engraving in the temple at the seven hills. Out of these 50 are in Telegu / Kannada and rest 1130 are in Tamil language only. Paintings / murals  at Tirupati are over 300 years old.

Every Friday morning, a special worship is performed before the commencement of Abhishekam. One Psalm in Tamil beginning with the word Venkatam yena Petra  is sung. During special worship the idol is without any dress or flower decoration (Nirmalya / Viwaroopa Dharshanam / Dikambaram). A camphor is lighted and shown to the Lord (Karpoora Aarti). The Nayadyam is offered  to the Lord(offering of fruits etc). Once again a karpoora aartiis done.

The idol of Balaji at this time shines beautifully and is a treat to the eye.Lakshmi devi is on the heart of Swamy. On Thursday during Nijaroopa Darshanam, Swamy is decorated with white wood paste . When this decoration is taken out the imprint on Lakshmi Devi remains, This imprint is sold by temple authority.

Lakshmi Devi at Lord Venkateshwara temple

The lights lit in front of Swamy are said to lit since thousands of years.

Tirupati – lights are lit for thousand years

The Suprabhatam chanting  to wake up Lord is not played in temple during month of Dec – Jan as he never sleeps.

The Garuda Hills in Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateshwara features a natural rock formation that is in the form of Garuda. Garuda is vehicle of Lord Venkateshwara.

A similar statue of silver is built inside the sanctum sanctorum in 966 AD for the purpose of doing Abhishekam as well as beautifying with all the jewelleries. Pallava Dynasty king sakti and his wife  has donated lot of jewels and ornament to this silver idol of Balaji.

Major source of income is offerings, sale of prasadam, sale of  darshan tickets,seva ticket, sale of hair offered and receipt from choultries(place of accommodation). The gross income of TTDfor the year (14-15) ws estimated to be 2359.2 crores ie, about 6.34 crore every day.

The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 devotees daily, on special occasion or festivals like annual Brahmotsavam, the number shoots up to 500,000 or more thus making it a most visited place in world

In 1800, temple was said to be closed for 12 years. One king is said to have punished 12 people by killing them and hanging them on the wall of the temple. It is believed that at this time Swamy appeared.

Tirupati Temple was closed for twelve years

According to Varaha Purana during treta Yuga , Lord Rama resides here along with Devi Sita and Lakshmana on his return from Lankapuri.

Kumbh Mela and Naga Sadhus ( A documentary)

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Kumbh Mela and Naga Sadhus ( A documentary)

The short documentary presents the viewer with some mesmerizing visuals of the Naga sadhus and gives a sneak peak into their lives and spirituality. The festival is one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world, and the “world’s largest congregation of religious pilgrims”. An estimated 120 million people visited Maha Kumbh Mela in 2013 in Allahabad over a two-month period, including over 30 million on a single day, on 10 February 2013 (the day of Mauni Amavasya). According to medieval Hindu theology, Lord Vishnu dropped drops of Amrita (the drink of immortality) at four places, while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). These four places are identified as the present-day sites of the Kumbh Mela, Nasik being one of them. This documentary about Nasik Kumbh and the Naga sadhus gives the viewer a chance to get up, close and personal to the Nagas and get to learn about their definition of spirituality. It also mesmerizes the viewer with some eye catching imagery and captivating music. Kumbh ‘The Foot Soldiers’ (Nasik)

http://pipecast.in/watch/104

This article is being published on request of Mr Kumar . Freeflow thanks him for his contribution.

When Yudhishthira was humbled by a Mongoose

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Yudhisthira organizing a Rajsuya yagna

After the victory in the Kurukshetra war, Yudhishthira was crowned the king of Hastinapur. He then decided to perform a grand yagna for the well being his subjects. He gave precious and expensive gifts to all his subjects. Everyone thought this was the grandest yagna they have ever seen. Everyone was praising for the grand yagna and the precious gifts.

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Gayatri Mantra – Mother of all mantras

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ॐ भूर्भुव: स्व: तत्सवितुर्वरेन्यं । भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि, धीयो यो न: प्रचोदयात् ।

Aum Bhur Bhuvah Svah Tat-Savitur-Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

Gayatri mantra is the oldest and powerful of all the mantras. It is also known as Guru mantra, Savitri mantra, Maha mantra because from this all is born. Gayatri mantra is the basic of all the vedas and the universal prayer enshrined in Vedas hence also known as Veda sara or Veda mata.

It is believed that the Gayatri mantra was revealed to Brahmarshi Vishwamitra.The Gayatri Mantra is addressed to the energy of the Sun (Surya).

Chanting of Gayatri mantra leads to wisdom and illuminates deeds. Gayatri mantra should be chanted at dawn,noon and dusk. But we do not have to be bound by these three periods.

Gayatri Mantra

Gayatri mantra comprises of 3 parts

(1) Praise to Savitha – The Divine is first praised.

(2) Meditation or dhyaan  on Savitha – The Divine is then meditated upon.

(3) Prayer or prarthana to Savitha.

The first nine words represent the attributes of the Divine

“OM BHUR BHUVA SVAH

TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM

BHARGO DEVASYA”

“DHEEMAHI” pertains to Meditation.

“DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT“

is the Prayer to God to confer on us all powers and talents.

Meaning of Gayatri Mantra

The First line Bhur Bhuvah Suvah means or depict unity of body, mind and soul.

The Second line Bhargo Devasya Deemahi throw away the darkness.

Last line Dhiyo yo naha Prachodayat means let the effulgence of Divine dispel the darkness of ignorance.

May the Sun Illumine our intellect in the same way he shed his effulgence.

Word by word meaning of Gayatri mantra

Aum means Parabrahman

Bhur  is Physical world

Bhuvah is Mental world

Suvah is  Spiritual world

Tat means That

Savitur is Sun who is Creator and Preserver

Varenyam is adorable

Bhargo means illumination

Devasya is Divine Grace

Dheemahi We meditate upon

Dhiyo means understanding intellect

Yo means Who

Nah  means Our

Prachodayat means enlighten, guide or inspire.

 

Aspect of Gayatri Mantra

Gayatri has three names: Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati. Gayatri is master of Senses, Savitri is master of Prana, Saraswati is presiding deity of Speech

These three represents purity in thought, word and deed.

If one chants Gayatri mantra various kinds of power will emerge in one. It should be chanted at Dawn, Noon and Dusk. But we do not  have to be bound by these three periods. It can be chanted any time and any where. The person chanting Gayatri Mantra should ensure that his heart is pure at all time. After Chanting Gayatri mantra we repeat shati Three times as it gives shanti or peace to body, mind and soul.

Five faces of Gayatri

Gayatri is said to have five faces and hence called Panchmukhi.

Panchmukhi Gayatri Mata

Om Pranava is the 1st face (Pranava principle represents 8 different forms of wealth)

Bhur Bhuva Svah is the 2nd face.

Tat Savitur Varenyam is 3rd face.

Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi is 4th face.

Dhiyo yo naha prachodayat is 5th face.

All these 5 aspect of Gayatri Mantra is within us. Gayatri Mantra teaches us to achieve harmony in thought word and deed.

Gayatri is reliever of all disease- Sarva roga nivarini

Gayatri is fulfiller of all desire- Sarva vancha phalashi Gayatri.

Gayatri ward off all misery – Sarva dukha parivahini

Gayatri is bestower of all that is beneficial.

It illuminate the mind and intelligence and promote knowledge and wisdom. Gayatri Mantra improves our thinking and judgement and give better control over our anxiety and emotions, cultivate determination and self esteem, inner peace, and prosperity. Meditating on Gayatri mantra calms the disturbed mind.
                                                           

Sita’s Trials and Triumphs in Ramayana – A Virtuous tale

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Sita’s Journey in Ramayana is an inspiring tale of a woman’s strength and determination. Devi Sita, consort of Lord Rama was known for her dedication, self sacrifice, courage and purity. She is one of the main characters of Ramayana. She was a adopted daughter of King Janak of Mithila and Queen Sunanya. She was considered as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.

Sita’s Birth

Sita was found in a furrow while ploughing the field. King Janaka has no children of his own so when he saw Sita, he was overwhelmed with love for her and declared her his own daughter.

Thus she is considered as daughter of Bhumidevi or Goddess Earth. Also, she was adopted daughter of King Janak so she was also known as Janaki. King Janaka was ruler of Mithila hence Sita was also known as Mythili. King Janak was also known as Videha hence, Sita was also known as Vaidehi.

Sita’s marriage

When Sita was a little girl, Sage Parashuram saw her playing with Bow of Lord Shiva. He advised Janaka to marry Sita with the man who lifts the Lord Shiva’s bow (Pinaka) and able to string it. When right time arrived, Janaka organised a swayamwara with a condition that Sita will marry only that person who would be able to string Pinaka, the bow of Lord Shiva.

Rama winning hand of Devi Sita in Swyamvara

Many Princes and Kings tried their luck but failed to even move the bow. To the utter surprise of all, Rama not only lifted the bow with an ease string it and finally broke it. Thus on fulfilling the condition Ram got married to Sita.

Sita weds Ram

Exile

Some time after wedding, Kaikeyi (stepmother of Rama) forced Dasharatha to crown Bharat as King and send Rama to forest for fourteen years. Sita and Lakshman willingly renounced the comfort of palace and joined Rama in exile. Dasharatha in utter guilt and grief died by the next day.

Sita and Ram in forest

Sita’s Abduction

In which chapter in Ramayana is Sita kidnapped? – Aranya Kand

Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were spending their time peacefully in the forest of Dandaka (later known as Panchwati). One day, Sita saw a golden deer she was charmed and asked Rama to catch it. Golden deer was actually a demon who was sent by Ravana to lure Rama and Lakshmana away from hermitage so that Ravana could abduct Sita.

When Rama went in the forest in search for dear he ordered Lakshmana not to leave Sita alone in any circumstances. When Rama killed the deer- Mareech imitated Rama’s voice and cried for help. In Spite of Lakshmana refusal to leave Sita alone, she forced him to go and help his brother Rama.

Ravana in disguise of Sage

Before leaving Lakshmana took his arrow and made a  line(Lakshmana rekha) and asked Sita not to step out of it in any circumstances.

Which vehicle Did Ravana use to abduct Sita Devi as per Srimad Valmiki Ramayana?

When Sita was all alone in the hut, Ravana disguised as sadhu came for alms. The moment Sta crossed Lakshman rekha to give alm Ravana came in his original form and abducted Sita on his aerial chariot named the Pushpak Vimana.

When Rama and Lakshmana came back they find Sita missing . They started searching for her. Deep in the forest they saw Jatayu, who was badly wounded. Jatayu said he saw Ravana forcefully taking away  Sita, when he tried to rescue her Ravana cut his wings. Then Jatayu took his last breath.

Jatayu and Ravana – Aranya Kanda

The whole story of exile is available at Aranya Kand.

Sita in Ashok van

Ravana took Sita to Lanka and kept her in Ashok van. Ravana appointed many demonesses to take care of Sita and prevent her from escaping.  During her captivity for a year in Lanka, Ravana keep expressing his desire for her, but Sita refused his advances and struggled to maintain her chastity. Meanwhile Rama meets Hanuman and his Vanara sena and made plan to rescue Sita.

Sita in Ashokvan

 Ram wages war against Ravana

Rama with the help of vanara sena build a bridge- Ram Setu connecting India and Lanka. Rama waged a war against Ravana. Finally, Sita was rescued by defeating Ravana.

Rama and Ravana – The Ramayana

 Sita’s Agnipariksha

Since Sita was kept in captivity by Ravana she had to give a agnipariksha in order to prove her chastity. In some version of Ramayana , during this test Fire God Agni appeared before Rama and handed over him real Sita and said it was Maya Sita who was abducted by Ravana. While other version states that Sita voluntarily enters the fire, and when she stepped in the coal turned into lotuses.

Sita agnipariksha

 Abandonment of Sita

Couple came back to Ayodhya, Rama was crowned king. Ram’s faith and affection for Sita has never wavered but some people of Ayodhaya could not accept Sita after her long captivity. Rama being a noble king had to listen to his praja and send Sita off into exile once again.

Later life of Sita

Abandoned Sita was pregnant  she wandered in the forest and finally got shelter in the hermitage of sage Valmiki.  She gave birth to twins, Kusha and Lava. Sita raised her sons all alone under the guidance of sage Valmiki. Twins grew into brave and intelligent princes. When Lava and Kusha were united with their father Rama, Sita considered her mission complete and decided to take final refuge in the arms of her mother Bhumi.

Sita with Luv and Kush

Sita requested  Bhumi devi to have mercy on her and give her release from unjust world and sadness filled life. The earth suddenly split open and Bhumi devi emerge from inside and took Sita away with her. This was the extraordinary life of Devi Sita. Who went to the forest with her husband only to be denounced later. Even she passed the test of Agnipariksha. Who says our society is matured?

Read about unknown facts of Ramayana

An interesting narration of Dashavatara and evolution

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Dashavatara and Evolution

Read the following interesting conversation between a mother and the son which relates to Dashavatara.

Things were going exactly as Srinivasan had feared, his Mother would come in from India and crush his American way of life under her strong South Indian influence. For a genetic scientist like Vasu, as Srinivasan was called by his friends, the only kind of order was disorder. So consumed he was by his research that the world and it’s affairs mattered little to him. When his last girlfriend walked out on him, “Find a girl on planet Srinivasan,” she had screamed as she stomped out.

Now Vasu’s Mother had taken over the administration of the planet. It irritated him, this milk at night and chywanprash every morning. “Have you been wearing the same pair of Jeans for the past three days?” Mother was beginning her morning interrogation.

Dashavatar of Lord Vishnu – Indian mythology

Vasu stared at the hot idlis in front of him, the chywanprash to follow and the wardrobe interrogation that had begun. Something snapped in his mind. “Mom I love you and I love that you come all the way from India to take care of me but plesse don’t fuss over me! It irritates me! And then I cannot work!”

His Mother did not really care if Vasu was upset, “The idlis are getting cold,” was her matter of fact response.

“You don’t really care, do you Mom?”

“I care about you Vasu. The work you do is alright. If you don’t do it, someone else will do it.”

“Mom, I am genetic scientist. I am working on the evolution of man. Theory of evolution, Charles Darwin, have you heard of him? ” Vasu was exasperated with her unwillingness to understand. His Mother sat down next to him and smiled, “I know Darwin, Vasu. I also know that what you think he discovered was old news in India.”

” Yeah sure Mom!” Vasu said with sarcasm.

“Well if you are too smart then listen to this, ” his Mother countered.” Have you heard of Dashavatar? The ten avatars of Vishnu?” Vasu nodded. “Then let me tell you what you and Mr. Darwin don’t know. The first avatar was the Matsya avatar, it means the fish. That is because life began in the water. Is that not right?” Vasu began to listen with a little more attention.

“Then came the Kurma Avatar, which means the tortoise, cause life moved from the water to the land. The amphibian. So the Tortoise denoted the evolution from sea to land. Third was the Varaha, the wild boar, which meant the wild animals with not much intellect, you call them the Dinosaurs, correct? ” Vasu nodded wide eyed.

“The fourth avatar was the Narasimha avatar, half man and half animal, the evolution from wild animals to intelligent beings. Fifth the Waman avatar, the midget or dwarf, who could grow really tall. Do you know why that is? Cause there were two kinds of humans, Homo Erectus and the Homo Sapiens and Homo Sapiens won that battle.” Vasu could see that his Mother was in full flow and he was stupefied.

“The Sixth avatar was Parshuram, the man who wielded the axe, the man who was a cave and forest dweller. Angry, and not social but the seventh avatar was Ram, the first thinking social being, who laid out the laws of society and the basis of all relationships. The eight avatar was Krishna, the statesman, the politician, the lover who played the game of society and taught how to live and thrive in the social structure. The Ninth avatar, the Buddha, the man who rose from Narasimha and found man’s true nature. The nature of Buddha, he identified man’s final quest of enlightenment. And finally, my boy, will come Kalki, the man you are working on. The man who will be genetically supreme.”

Vasu looked at his Mother speechless. “This is amazing Mom, how did you.. This makes sense!”

“Yes it does Vasu! Now have your chyawanprash! “

Jambavant – One of seven immortals – Sat Chiranjeevi

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In Indian mythology, there are seven immortals, who are also known as Sat Chiranjeevi. These characters are integral to Indian mythology and Jambavant is believed to longest living entity.

Jambavant

Jambavant is a famous character in Indian mythology. He is believed to be created by Brahma to help Rama fight Ravana. He is also an immortal entity. His presence is found at number of places, in the times of Rama, Shri Krishna and Bali. He was also present at the time of churning pf ocean.

Jambavant advises Hanuman – Ramayana

Jambavant in his previous life was the King of the Himalayas who had incarnated as a bear in order to serve Lord Rama. He received a boon from Lord Rama that he would have a long life, and have the strength of ten million lions. In the epic Ramayana, Jambavantha helped Rama find his wife Sita and fight her abductor,Ravana. It is he who makes Hanuman realize his immense capabilities and encourages him to fly across the ocean to search for Sita in Lanka. In the Mahabharata, Jambavantha had killed a lion, who had acquired a gem called Syamantaka from Prasena after killing him. Krishna was suspected of killing Prasena for the jewel, so he tracked Prasena’s steps until he learned that he had been killed by a lion who had been killed by a bear. Krishna tracked Jambavantha to his cave and a fight ensued. After eighteen days, realizing who Krishna was, Jambavantha submitted. He gave Krishna the gem and also presented him his daughter Jambavati, who became one of Krishna’s wives.

Jambavantha and Shri Krishna

Jambavant, together with Parasuram and Hanuman, is considered to be one of the few to have been present for both Ram and Krishna avatars. Said to have been present for the churning of the ocean and thus witness to the Kurma avatar, and further the Vaman avatar, Jambavan may well be the longest lived of the chiranjivis and have been witness to nine avatars.

 

Karna’s past life and reason for his hardship

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Why Karna suffered

Followers of Indian mythology always wonder why Karna had to suffer so much in life despite being a good human being. As we know, every incident in Indian mythology has some reason behind it, this time also, we have a riveting story of Karna sufferings.

The boon of Dambodhav

Much much before Mahabharata there lived a asura named,a Dambhodbhav. He wanted to be powerful so he prayed to Sun God. Pleased with his devotion God appeared before him and granted him a boon. Dambhodbhav asked God to make him immortal. Surya said it was impossible to make him immortal. Then he asked for thousand kavach (armour). It was not only this  Dambhodbhav also asked that these armour could be broken by someone who perform penance for thousand years. And also, whoever break the armour should die immediately.

Karna the son of Surya

Surya granted him the boon despite knowing that he is not going to use his powers for good.

He becomes reckless

Immediately after getting the boon, Dambhodbhav started wrecking havoc on people. people were scared of him and started calling him Sahasrakavacha (one who has thousand armour).

Lord Vishnu agrees to kill Dambodhav

Meanwhile, King Daksha (father of Sati) got one of his daughter Murti married to Dharma, son of Brahma. Murti knew about Dambhodbhav and wanted to put an end to to his menace. So she prayed to Lord Vishnu for help.Vishnu pleased with her devotion appeared before her and agreed to kill Sahasrakavacha.

Avatar of Nara and Narayana

Murti gave birth to twins and named them Narayana and Nara. Twin brother were noble, brave and great warrior. They decided to kill Sahasrakavacha. First Nara went for the fight and Narayana went for penance  After thousand years, Nara broke his first armour, but lost his life. On other hand Narayana also completed his penance and obtained Mrityunjaya Mantra (it was mantra to bring back dead to life) and he brought his brother back to life.

Nara and Narayana

The fight begins

At this moment Sahasrakavacha realised that Narayana and Nara are two persons with one  soul. Thus the penance done by one brother gives the other one more power. After thousand years, Nara retired to forest to perform penance while Narayana started the fight.

The fight went on like this. One brother performed penance for a thousand years while the other one fought with Sahasrakavacha. The minute his armour broke, the person fighting with him fell dead and was brought back to life by the other.

Dambodbhava takes shelter

when Sahasrakavacha lost his 999 armour to twins. He gave up and ran away. He decided to take refuge with Surya.

Narayana and Nara both went to Surya and asked for Sahasrakavacha. Surya said that Dambhodbhav and is his great devotee and has worshipped him with great devotion and he came to him help so he has to help him.

Nara on hearing this got angry and cursed Surya that he will be born as human and suffer for this. Surya bowed his head, he knew that he should not shelter a demon but he was willing to pay the price for his devotee.

Dambodhava reborn as Karna

This incident occurred at the end of Treta yuga. In next yuga (Dwapara yuga), Surya and Dambhodbhav and both were born as Karna. Karna was born with his kavach or armour, the one left with Sahasrakavacha.

Karna born with Kavach and Kundal

 

End of Karna by Shri Krishna and Arjuna

To fulfill the promise to kill Sahasrakavacha, Narayana and Nara were reborn as Krishna and Arjun.  As Arjun would have died if Karna had the kavach so, Indra went to him in disguise and got the kavach much before the Mahabharata war begin.
As Karna was a demon in his previous life so he had a very difficult life to pay for all the sins he committed in his previous life. But Karna also had Surya within him so he was a hero as well. He was the most powerful, bravest and tragic warrior in Mahabharata.

Karna killed by Arjuna with weapon anjalika

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

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Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

Grishneshwar or Grushneshwar Jyotirlinga is considered as the last among the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The Grishneshwar Temple is also known by several other names like Kusumeswarar, Ghushmeswara, Grushmeswara and Grishneswara.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

The temple is located at a village called Verul, which is at a distance of 11kms from Daulatabad (Devagiri) AND 30 Kms from Aurangabad. this lies near to Ajanta and ellora caves.

Temple

Bhonsale ( The Patel or chief of Verul ) was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, Once he found a treasure hidden in the snake pit. He spent the money to renovate the temple and built a lake in Shikharshinganapur. Later on , Goutamibal (Bayajabai) and Ahilyadevi Holkar renovated the Grishneshwar temple.

This 240ft.x185ft. tall temple is built of red rocks in a pre-historic architectural style. The temple has five tier shikara Beautiul statues of Gods and Goddess are carved in red stones. Halfway up the temple Dashaavtars are also carved. These sculpted walls are beautiful to look at. The  town hall is built on 24 beautifully carved pillars. There is a gorgeous Nandikeshwar in the courthall. The Garbhagriha measures 17ft.x17ft.  Lingamurti faces eastward.

Grishneshwar Temple

legends behind the Grishneshwar temple

Once Parvati was mixing vermilion and saffron with water to apply on the in her hair (a symbol of a married woman). She kept them in her left palm and mixed the water of Shivalay in it. With the right thumb she started mixing them both. A miracle happened, Shiv appeared in form of light on her palm. The light turned into lingam which she named Grishneshwar as it was formed with the friction (grishna) between her finger and palm.

Another legend from Shivpuran

In the southern direction, on a mountain named Devagiri lived a Brahmin called Brahmavetta Sudharm along with his wife Sudeha. The couple had no child this frustrated Sudeha. She prayed and tried all remedies but all in vain. Sudeha got her sister Ghushma married to her husband. Ghushma used to make 101 lingas, worship them and discharge them in the nearby lake. With the blessings of Lord Shiva, Ghushma gave birth to a baby boy. Because of this, Ghushma became proud and Sudeha started feeling jealous towards her sister. Out of jealously, one night she killed Ghushma’s son and threw him in the lake where Ghushma used to discharge the lingas

In the morning, even after hearing everything she was absorbbed in worshipping Lord Shiva. She did not break down and said he who has given me this child shall protect him and started reciting Shiva-Shiva. Later, when she went to discharge the Shivalingas after prayers she saw her son coming. Lord Shiva appeared before her and said he is pleased with her devotion. Ghushma told Lord to forgive Sudeha. Pleased with her generosity, Lord Shiva asked her another boon. Ghushma said that if he was really happy with her devotion then he should reside here eternally for the benefit of the multitudes in form of a Jyotirlinga and may you be known by my name. On her request, Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Jyotirlinga and assumed the name Ghushmeshwar and the lake was named as Shivalaya thereafter.

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga – Lord Shiva

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Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga

Trimbakeshwar jyotirlinga is one of the most unique jyotirlinga among the twelve jyotirlingas. This jyotirlinga is swayambhu and huge.This jyotirlinga does not have pindi in the middle but it has a hole in the middle and inside the hole there are three pindies of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh symbolically.

Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga

The miracle of Trimbakeshwar

And on the Pindi of Lord Shiva , Varuna Devta continously does abhishek by pouring water. Nobody knows from where the water comes and does abhishekh on Lord Shiva’s pindi , but it does.

Why Lord Shiva reside here

Trimbakeshwar three Lingas

As per Shiv Purana, it is because of the earnest request of Godavari, Gautam Rishi and other gods that Lord Shiva agreed to reside here and assumed the famous name Trimbakeshwar. Interestingly, locals refer to the river here as Ganga and not as Godavari. All the heavenly Gods promised to come down to Nasik, once in twelve years, when Jupiter resides in the zodiac sign of Leo. On this a grand fair is organized at this place. Devotees take a holy bath in the Gautami Ganga and then seek the blessings of Trimbakeshwar.

Legend Behind Trimbakeshwar Temple

Legend goes that a sage name Gautam Muni resided on the Brahmagiri hill with his wife Ahilya. By virtue of his devotion, the sage received from Varuna, a bottomless pit from which he received an inexhaustible supply of grains and food. The other rishis, jealous of his fortune, arranged for a cow to enter his granary and caused it to die as Gowtam Rishi attempted to ward it off with a bunch of Darbha grass.

Gautam Rishi, therefore, worshipped Lord Shiva to bring the Ganga down to his hermitage to purify the premises. Pleased with devotion, Shiva requested Ganga to flow down and make Sage Gautam pure. After that Ganga flowed down. Lord Shiva told Ganga to stay there eternally for the good of everyone. All the Gods started singing the praises of Gautam Rishi, Ganga and Lord Shiva. On the request of all the Gods, Lord Shiva resided by the river Gautami by the name Trimbakeshwar (one of the Jyotirlingas). Hindus believe that Trimbak Jyotirlinga is one, which fulfills everyone’s desires. It emancipates all from their sins and miseries.

Legend of Lingodbhava

Another popular legend behind Trimbakeshwar Temple is the legend of Lingodbhava manifestation of Shiva. It says once Brahma and Vishnu searched in vain to discover the origin of Shiva who manifested himself as a cosmic column of fire. Brahma lied that he had seen the top of the column of fire and was hence cursed that he would not be worshipped on earth. In turn Brahma cursed Shiva that he would be pushed underground. Accordingly, Shiva came down under the Brahmagiri hill in the form of Tryambakeshwar. Trimbakeshwar Temple is the only place where Shivlinga is not out but it’s inside the floor.

Some scholars say that Goddess Parvati also came down along Lord Shiva and Ganga. The place is therefore called Tryambakeshwa (three lords). Others believe that the place is so called because of the presence of three Shivlinga of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The Shivlinga of Lord Mahesh has always-flowing water among the three Shivlingas.