Category Archives: Indian Mythology

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga – Lord Shiva

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Kashi Vishwanath (Jyotirlinga) Temple of Lord Shiva

There are twelve jyotirlinga’s of Lord Shiva and Kashi Vishwanath Temple holds a special place among these. This temple is present in the holy city of Varanasi, on the banks of The Ganges. The main deity is known by the name Vishwanatha or Vishveshvara meaning Ruler of The Universe. The Vishwanath Jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India. It is said that the merits earned by the darshan of other jyotirlinga scattered in various parts of India accrue to a devotee by a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Kashi nagar is so great that even if the universe is to be destroyed in Pralaya, it would remain intact. Dandapani and Kalabhairav guard this city. They stay there forever. On the Ganga banks eighty four bathing ghats are located. There are also several teerthkundas. They have been there right from the times of Vedas. According to some legends, Lord Shiva had lived at Kashi for quite some time on his arrival there after the Daksha Yagna incident.

Kashi Vishwanath temple witnesses important events, some of them are enumerated below.

Lord Shiva - Jyotirlinga at Kashi

Lord Shiva – Jyotirlinga at Kashi

Gauna of Devi Parvati

Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on Mahashivratri and gauna (a ritual associated with consummation of marriage) was performed on Rangbhari Ekadashi. This auspicious occasion is celebrated by the residents of Kashi in grand style.

As per tradition, devotees carried the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in a ‘palaki’ from the house of former mahant of Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Blowing conch, damru and other musical instruments, the devotees went to the sanctum sanctorum of Kashi Vishwanath Temple and offered gulal and rose petals to the deities.

 Importance of Manikarnika Ghat

The Manikarnika Ghat on the banks of Ganges near to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is considered as a Shakti Peetha, a revered place of worship for the Shaktism sect. The mythology of Daksha Yaga, a Shaivite literature is considered as an important literature which is the story about the origin of Shakti Peethas.It is said that Shiva came to the Kashi Vishwanath Shrine through Manikarnika after the death of Sati Devi.

Due to the immense popularity and holiness of Kashi Vishwanath temple, hundreds of temples across India have been built in the same architectural style. Many legends record that the true devotee achieves freedom from death and saṃsāra by the worship of Shiva, Shiva’s devotees on death being directly taken to his abode on Mount Kailash by his messengers and not to Yama. The superiority of Shiva and his victory over his own nature—Shiva is himself identified with death—is also stated. There is a popular belief that Shiva himself blows the mantra of salvation into the ears of people who die naturally at the Vishwanath temple.

Navratri story in Hindi

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देवी दुर्गा – शक्ति का अवतार

हिंदू मान्यतानुसार देवी दुर्गा को शक्ति का अवतार माना जाता है। दुर्गा जी हिन्दू धर्म की देवी हैं। इन्हें आदिशक्ति के नाम से भी जाना जाता है। इनके नौ अन्य रूप है जिनकी पूजा नवरात्रों में की जाती है। माना जाता है कि राक्षसों का संहार करने के लिए देवी पार्वती ने दुर्गा का रूप धारण किया था। दुर्गा जी को तंत्र-मंत्र की साधना करने वाले साधक आदि शक्ति और परमदेवी मानते हैं। दुर्गा जी के विषय में हिन्दू धर्म में कई कथाओं का वर्णन है.

हिन्दू धर्मानुसार असुरों के अत्याचार से दुखी होकर देवताओं ने जगज्जननी देवी पार्वती का आवाहन किया। देवताओं की पुकार पर देवी प्रकट हुईं तथा उन्हें दैत्यों के अत्याचारों से मुक्ति दिलाने की बात कही। तब अपने भक्तों की रक्षा के लिए दुर्गा का रूप धारण किया और राक्षसों का अंत कर दिया। तब से ही दुर्गा को युद्ध की देवी के रूप में जाना जाने लगा।

Goddess Durga emergence

Goddess Durga emergence

दुर्गा जी, देवी पार्वती का ही रूप है इसलिए इनका भी निवास स्थान कैलाश है। इनका वाहन शेर है। इनके आठ हाथ हैं। इनके एक तरफ के तीन हाथों में तलवार, चक्र और गदा है तथा दूसरी तरफ के तीन हाथों में कमल त्रिशूल और धनुष है। इनके अन्य एक हाथ में शंख और एक हाथ वर मुद्रा में हैं।

राम जी ने भी रखा था नवरात्र व्रत

मान्यता है कि शारदीय नवरात्र में महाशक्ति की पूजा कर श्रीराम ने अपनी खोई हुई शक्ति पाई। इसलिए इस समय आदिशक्ति की आराधना पर विशेष बल दिया गया है। मार्कंडेय पुराण के अनुसार, ‘दुर्गा सप्तशती’ में स्वयं भगवती ने इस समय शक्ति-पूजा को महापूजा बताया है।

किष्किंधा में चिंतित श्रीराम

रावण ने सीता का हरण कर लिया, जिससे श्रीराम दुखी और चिंतित थे। किष्किंधा पर्वत पर वे लक्ष्मण के साथ रावण को पराजित करने की योजना बना रहे थे। उनकी सहायता के लिए उसी समय देवर्षि नारद वहां पहुंचे। श्रीराम को दुखी देखकर देवर्षि बोले, ‘राघव! आप साधारण लोगों की भांति दुखी क्यों हैं? दुष्ट रावण ने सीता का अपहरण कर लिया है, क्योंकि वह अपने सिर पर मंडराती हुई मृत्यु के प्रति अनजान है।

महाशक्ति का परिचय

नारद ने संपूर्ण सृष्टि का संचालन करने वाली उस महाशक्ति का परिचय राम को देते हुए बताया कि वे सभी जगह विराजमान रहती हैं। उनकी कृपा से ही समस्त कामनाएं पूर्ण होती है। आराधना किए जाने पर भक्तों के दुखों को दूर करना उनका स्वाभाविक गुण है। त्रिदेव-ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, महेश उनकी दी गई शक्ति से सृष्टि का निर्माण, पालन और संहार करते है।

नवरात्र पूजा का विधान

देवर्षि नारद ने राम को नवरात्र पूजा की विधि बताई कि समतल भूमि पर एक सिंहासन रखकर उस पर भगवती जगदंबा को विराजमान कर दें। नौ दिनों तक उपवास रखते हुए उनकी आराधना करें। पूजा विधिपूर्वक होनी चाहिए। आप के इस अनुष्ठान का मैं आचार्य बनूंगा। राम ने नारद के निर्देश पर एक उत्तम सिंहासन बनवाया और उस पर कल्याणमयी भगवती जगदंबा की मूर्ति विराजमान की। श्रीराम ने नौ दिनों तक उपवास करते हुए देवी-पूजा के सभी नियमों का पालन भी किया।

Maa Durga

Maa Durga

जगदंबा का वरदान

मान्यता है कि आश्विन मास के शुक्लपक्ष की अष्टमी तिथि की आधी रात में श्रीराम और लक्ष्मण के समक्ष भगवती महाशक्ति प्रकट हो गई। देवी उस समय सिंह पर बैठी हुई थीं। भगवती ने प्रसन्न-मुद्रा में कहा- ‘श्रीराम! मैं आपके व्रत से संतुष्ट हूं।

जो आपके मन में है, वह मुझसे मांग लें। सभी जानते हैं कि रावण-वध के लिए ही आपने पृथ्वी पर मनुष्य के रूप में अवतार लिया है। आप भगवान विष्णु के अंश से प्रकट हुए हैं और लक्ष्मण शेषनाग के अवतार हैं। सभी वानर देवताओं के ही अंश हैं, जो युद्ध में आपके सहायक होंगे। इन सबमें मेरी शक्ति निहित है। आप अवश्य रावण का वध कर सकेंगे। अवतार का प्रयोजन पूर्ण हो जाने के बाद आप अपने परमधाम चले जाएंगे। इस प्रकार श्रीराम के शारदीय नवरात्र-व्रत से प्रसन्न भगवती उन्हे मनोवांछित वर देकर अंतर्धान हो गई।

Rama and Ravana - The Ramayana

Rama and Ravana – The Ramayana

 

Why only Coconut and Banana are offered in the temples ?

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In Hindu traditions, one invariably finds customs and rituals. On surface, they seem to be innocuous, but dig deeper, and you will find that there is a reason behind everything. Similarly here also, we are looking to find if there is any special reason for offerings of coconut and banana, and indeed, there is a reason for this.

Why only Coconut and Banana 🍌are offered in the temples ?

Coconut and Banana are the only two fruits which are considered to be the “Sacred fruits”. All other fruits are tainted fruits ( partially eaten fruits), meaning other fruits have seeds and which have the capacity to reproduce !

But in the case of coconut, if you eat coconut and throw its outer shell, nothing will grow out of it. If you want to grow a coconut tree, you have to sow the entire coconut itself.

Similarly Banana. If you eat a banana and throw its out sleeves, nothing will grow out of it. Banana tree is grown on its own when a banana plant start giving fruits.

Offering of coconut and banana in temples

Offering of coconut and banana in temples

The outer shell of coconut is the Ahamkara or ego, which one has to break. Once the ego is shed the mind will be as pure as the white tender coconut inside. The Bhavaavesha or Bhakthi will pour like the sweet water in it. The 3 eyes on the top they explain as Satwa, Raja and Tama or Past , Present and Future or Sthoola, Sukshma and Karana Sareera or body etc

Our ancestors had found this reality long ago and they had made it as a system which is still followed religiously.!

Read more about reasons behind untold and unknown rituals of Hindu religion. You will surely know something today.

Seven Important and interesting rituals of Hindu religion and story behind them.

Seven Sacred plants of Hindu Religion.

Balaji Temple and the story of marriage of Gods

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Balaji Temple at Tirumala hills

Balaji temple is one of the well known temples of India. Unlike some of the other temples, this inspires awe and grandeur and sometimes known as the richest temple of India. This temple is situated on Tirumala hills.

The main temple of Tirumala Tirupati lies on the seventh hill called Venkatadri, which is why this holy Tirumala Temple is also called “The Temple Of Seven Hills”. Lord Sri Venkateswara,also known as Balaji and Govinda,is the presiding deity of this holy temple.

Today,if we go by the available statistics,about thirty to forty million pilgrims, from all over the world,visit this holy temple every year making Lord Sri Venkateswara the most worshiped Hindu God in the world and Tirumala the most visited place of worship.

Legends behind Balaji Temple

There are numeros legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala. According to one legend, the temple has a murti (deity) of Lord Venkateswara, which it is believed shall remain here for the entire duration of the present Kali yuga. There is an interesting story related to Lord Venkateshwara and Balaji Temple.

Lord Balaji

Lord Balaji

 

Why married couple visit this temple

Tirupati, the Home of Lord Venkateswara has long been the destination of many a newly wed couple. The temple is believed to have a particular signification for newly weds as it is believed to be place where Lord Venkateswara married Padmavathy.

Goddess Laxmi leaves Lord Vishnu

An interesting tale forms the backdrop to the temple. Quarrels are not unknown between happily wed couples and the divine ones are no different. Following a spat with Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi left her heavenly abode and came down to the earth. Here she stayed in a hermitage on the banks of the Godavari.

Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva tried to help

Missing his beloved, Lord Vishnu went to search of her and this search brought him to earth. Ultimately his quest brought him to the Seshadri hills where he stopped to rest in an anthill. Upset by the separation between Vishnu and Lakshmi, Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva decided to intervene. Taking the guise of a cow and a calf they went to live at the place of a Chola king.

The cowherd took them everyday to graze in the Seshadri hills where the cow would secretly visit the anthill where Vishnu was living without sustenance. Emptying her milk, the cow would then return to the palace.

The cowherd was angry as the cow never yielded any milk to him. He watched movements carefully and his explorations brought him to the anthill. In trying to ascertain what lay beneath the anthill, he struck it with an axe thus injuring Vishnu on the forehead.

Tirupati temple

Tirupati temple

Lord Vishnu is injured

In search of herbs to heal the wound, Lord Vishnu wandered far and wide. His wanderings brought him to the Shrine of Sri Varahaswamy – the third incarnation of Vishnu as a boar. Here, he sought permission to stay, but Varahaswamy wanted a rental to be paid; Vishnu pleaded that he was poor now and needed rent free accommodation. To reciprocate this gesture of goodwill, he said he would tell his devotees to worship Varahaswamy before they worshipped him. The contract sealed, Vishnu built a hermitage and lived there waited on by a devotee, Vakuladevi who looked after him like a mother. In a nearby kingdom ruled King Akasha Rajan.

Devi Padmavathy

Childless for many years, he had one day found a beautiful baby girl sleeping on a golden lotus in a golden box while ploughing the fields. He had named her Padmavathy. A beautiful and accomplished girl, Padmavathy had been granted a boon in her earlier birth that she would be married to Lord Vishnu. One day, Vishnu, who had been renamed Srinivasan by his devotee and foster mother Vakuladevi, went hunting in the forest. His wandering led him to a garden with a pond. Srinivasan was thirsty and tired. After drinking from the pond, he rested in the shade of a tree. Soon the soft singing of Padmavathy who was dancing in the garden with her companions roused him. He was stunned by her beauty and drawn to her. She too seemed to be drawn to him, but the angry attendants thinking him a mere hunter drove him away.

Depressed and unhappy he poured his troubles out to Vakuladevi. Now for the first time, he revealed to her who he really was and also told her the story of Padmavathy. In the meanwhile, Padmavathy was dreaming of Srinivasa. She had no idea who he really was and knew that her parents would never let her be married to a hunter.

Srinivasa urged Vakuladevi to approach Padmavathy’s father, Akasha Raja, with the marriage proposal. In the meanwhile he disguised himself as a soothsayer and went to the court of Akasha Raja. There, he assured Padmavathy that the hunter she had fallen in love with was no ordinary man but the Lord and told her that the worries would soon be over. Padmavathy too poured out her heart to her parents. At about the same time, Vakuladevi arrived with the marriage proposal. After consulting with the sages Akasha Raja accepted the proposal and invited Srinivasa to attend the wedding on Friday, the 10th day of Vaikasi.

Srinivasa now had arrangements to make. He sought a loan of one crore and 14 lakh coins of gold from Kubera and had Viswakarma, the divine architect create heavenly surroundings in the Seshadri hills.

The day of the wedding arrived, Lord Srinivasa was bathed in holy waters and dressed in jeweled ornaments befitting a royal bride groom. Then he set off in a procession for the court of Akasha Raja. There Padmavathy waited radiant in her beauty. Srinivasa was hailed with an arthi and led to the marriage hall. There the queen and King washed his feet while sage Vasishta chanted the Vedic mantras. Soon the wedding was over and it was time for Padmavathy to take leave of her parents.

Together, they lived for all eternity while Goddess Lakshmi, understanding the commitments of Lord Vishnu, chose to live in his heart forever.

Kalyan Utsav celebrated union of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi

Tirupati, today, stands as a special place, commemorating the marriage between the two. Everyday, a kalyana utsavam celebrates the divine union in a celebration that stretches to eternity. Even today, during the Brahmotsavam at the temple, turmeric, kumkum and a sari are sent from the temple to Tiruchanur, the abode of Padmavathy. In fact Tirupati is rarely visited without paying a visit to Tiruchanur.

In the light of this background, it has become the favored destination of many newly wed couples who pray for a happy wedding – a wedding like that of Srinivasa and Padmavathy.

21 incarnations of Lord Vishnu – Part 3

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This is the final article of 21 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Here, we see lot of incarnations from Dashavatara are mentioned here as well. Notable addition is Vyasa avatara, who is also known as Krishna Dwaipayana.

15. The dwarf Incarnation – Vaman Avtar

Vishnu incarnated as a dwarf brahman to restore the authority of Indra over the heaven, as it has been taken by MahaBali asura king. King Mahabali was a generous man He believed that he can help any one and can donate whatever they ask. The dwarf came to Bali and desired that it might be granted as much of land as could be encompassed in three of its steps. Mahabali consented against the warning of his Guru. Vamana then revealed his identity and enlarged to gigantic proportions to stride over the three worlds. He stepped from heaven to earth with the first step, from earth to the netherworld with the second. King Mahabali, unable to fulfil his promise, offered his head for the third. Vamana then placed his foot and gave the king immortality for his humility.

16. The Ram with axe incarnation – Parashuram Incarnation

When kshatriya kings became ruthless and started exploiting their subjects, Lord Vishnu took  sixteenth  incarnation as Parshuram. Parashurama destroyed all the kshatriyas in the world twenty-one times, so that good might once again prevail. He received an axe after undertaking terrible penance to please Lord Shiva, who in turn taught him the martial arts.

17. Vyasa Avtar

Lord Vishnu incarnated himself as a sage  Krishna Dvaipayana. He was the son of Parashara and Satyavati He recompiled the sacred texts of the Vedas so that they might become more easily understandable to men.  It was thus that there came to be four Vedas. He came to be known as Vedavyasa because he had divided the Vedas. He also wrote eighteen Mahapurans and Mahabharat.

Ved Vyasa and Lord Ganesha

Ved Vyasa and Lord Ganesha

18. The Ram Incarnation

Ram is considered as 18 incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ram is considered as one of the most important incarnations. Rama is referred to within Hinduism as Maryada Purushottama  which literally means Perfect Man or Lord of Self-Control or Lord of Virtue. Rama’s life and journey is one of adherence to dharma despite harsh tests and obstacles and many pains of life and time. He is pictured as the ideal man and the perfect human.

Rama and Ravana - The Ramayana

Rama and Ravana – The Ramayana

19. Krishna and Balram Incarnation

Lord Vishnu incarnated as  yadavas named Balram and Krishna. Balram killed Pralambasura  and many more demons. Lord Krishna on other hand fought against the exploitation right from his childhood and killed many demons like Kalayavan, Kansa, Jarasandh etc. He gave the divine knowledge of Gita to Arjun during the battle of Kurukshetra.

20. The Buddha Incarnation

Buddha was twentieth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, He was the originator of Buddhism. In the Kaliyuga the demons were completely subjugated by the deities. Shukracharya the teacher of the demons instigated the demons to perform Yagya so that they could regain power and authority. Fearing this the deities prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu took incarnation as Buddha and dissuaded the demons from performing Yagya as it involves violence the demons stopped performing Yagyas.

21. The Kalki Incarnation

This Incarnation is still to take place. At the end of Kalyug, Kalki avtar of Lord Vishnu shall take place in the house of brahmin Vishnuyasha. He would re-establish the superiority of Virtuosity and religiousness.

21 incarnations of Lord Vishnu- part 2

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This article is second in the series of 21 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. We see that some of the famous avatars of him appear here also such as fish and Narsingh incarnations.

8. The Rishabha deva Incarnation

Rishabha deva is eighth avtar of Vishnu. Rishabh Dev was born to king Nabhi and Marudevi. His mother Marudevi was the daughter of Indra. His most important lesson he taught mankind was that material possessions cause envy and unhappiness.

He attained that state of Paramhansa (an ascetic of highest order who has controlled his anger) which is an uphill task. He was given the title of ‘Jin’ which means a ‘ a knower’. His followers are known as Jains.

jain

 9. The Incarnation of Raja Prithu

The ninth incarnation of Vishnu was as a king. Lord Vishnu took this incarnation on the request or (prarthana) of sages hence, he got the name Prithu. King Prithu was son of an evil king Vena. Vena was killed by the sages  leaving the kingdom without an heir and in famine due to the anarchy of Vena So, the sages churned Vena’s body, out of which first appeared a dark dwarf hunter, a symbol of Vena’s evil.  On further churning, Prithu emerged from right arm of the corpse.  To end the famine Prithu chased the earth (Prithvi) who fled from his wrath as a cow. Prithvi said if you will kill me it would mean an end to his subkects too. Thus,Prithu lowered his weapons and promised to be her guardian. Finally, Prithu milked her using Manu as a calf, and received all vegetation and grain as her milk, in his hands for the welfare of humanity. This is considered that as a very supreme incarnation, because the earth has remained full of vegetation’s after that. Earth was named Prithvi after King Prithu.

10. The Fish Incarnation

All the oceans had unified into a single ocean in the ‘Manvantara’ of ‘Chakshusha’. At this time, the whole world  was flooded with water.  The Manu who ruled over this manvantara was known as Vaivasvata Manu.  As a fish, Vishnu told Vaivasvata Manu to build a boat and save himself and the rest of humanity from the waters of the flood. Lord Vishnu in his 10th incarnation as a Matsya (Fish) rescued the earth from ‘Maya’ the demon.

11. The Tortoise Incarnation

At the time of churning of Ocean (samudra manthan) Vishnu incarnated as turtle. The gods (devas) and demons (asuras) churned the ocean with Mount Mandara as a churning rod. But this would not have been possible had there not been a base on which Mount Mandara could rest.  This base was provided by the back of the turtle.

12. The Dhanvantari Incarnation

As the churning continued  Dhanvantari came out with a pot of amrita ( a life-giving drink) in his hands, which he gave to the Gods. Dhanvantari was Vishnu’s twelfth incarnation. Dhanvantari was also the originator of all medical science.

Lord Dhanvantari

Lord Dhanvantari

13. The Mohini Incarnation

Lord Vishnu took his thirteenth incarnation as a most enchanting woman enchanted the demons by his beautiful appearance of a woman, and took away the pot filled up with ambrosia from them and gave it to the deities. The deities were thus protected from the demons.

Read the full story of Mohini avatar here

14. The man – lion incarnation (Narasimha Avtar)

Lord Vishnu took his fourteenth incarnation as half man and half lion. Vishnu incarnated as Narsimha, upper portion was that of a lion and the lower portion was that of a human. In this Incarnation Vishnu protected Prahlad from his father Hiranyakashipu a demon. . Lord Brahma has blessed Hiranyakashipu that a human being can not kill him. Vishnu incarnated this form and killed Hiranyakashipu by tearing his body apart  by his nails.

21 incarnations of Lord Vishnu – Part 1

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Lord Vishnu’s 21 incarnations

Lord Vishnu’s ten incarnations or Dashavataras are famous, but few people know that actually there are twenty one incarnations.As per Hindu Mythology and Puranas, Lord Vishnu has 21 incarnations.

1. Samnak, Sanandan, Sanatan and Sanat- Kumar 

These four Kumaras are the eldest sons of the creator-god Brahma. They are said to be lord Vishnu’s first incarnation. All four brothers studied Vedas from their childhood. They always travelled together. They are said to wander throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with purpose to teach. The four Kumaras undertook lifelong vows of celibacy (brahamacharya) against the wishes of their father. They all learned Vedas at an early age of five. The Kumaras remained in form of children due to their spiritual virtues.

kumars

2. The Varaha or Boar Incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Vishnu incarnated as varaha or boar to retrieve the earth. When the demon Hiranyaksha stole the earth (Bhudevi) and hid her in the primordial waters, Vishnu appeared as Varaha to rescue her. Varaha killed  the demon and retrieved the Earth from the ocean, lifting it on his tusks, and restored Bhudevi to her place in the universe.

varah

3. The Narada Incarnation

In many Hindu scriptures, divine sage Narada is considered a saktyavesa-avatara or partial-manifestation (avtar) of God. He is  empowered to perform miraculous tasks on Vishnu’s behalf. In this avtar, Narad became great devotee of Lord Vishnu and is described to be always chanting the name of “Narayan” He also taught the Satvan- Mantra, in this incarnation.

narad

4. The Nara- Narayan incarnation

The hindu deity pair, Nara and Narayan are twin brother incarnation of Vishnu on earth. The twins were son of Dharma and his wife Murti. They came on Earth for the welfare of mankind. They performed great penances at the holy spot of Badrinath.

 

nara narayan

5. The Incarnation of Kapil – The Sage

Kapil, the vedic sage was considered as one of the founder of Samkhya school of philosophy. Hindu mythology regards Kapila as a descendant of Manu, the primal human being, and a grandson of the creator-god Brahma or as an avatar of the god Vishnu. An exemplar of Yogic stringency, Kapila is said to have produced an inner store of such intense heat (tapas) that he was capable of reducing to ashes the 60,000 sons of the Vedic king Sagara. After his father left home, Kapila instructed his mother, Devahuti in the philosophy of yoga and devotional worship of Lord Vishnu, enabling her to achieve liberation (moksha). He is known for teaching a process of liberation known as bhakti yoga.

kapila rishi

6. The Dattatretya Incarnation

Dattatreya had descended into the realm of world as progeny of Atri and Anusuya, a sage couple of the Vedic age.  Dattatretya, taight knowledge to various devotees. The three heads signified as Brahma: ‘Tejas’ personified, Vishnu: ‘Ojas‘ personified, Shiva: ‘Tapas’ personified. Under these heads, illumination of knowledge, vigorosity of action and stringency of penance were represented as three aspects or state of being of the same.

datatretya

7. The Suyash Incarnation

Suyash was born to Prajapati and Akuti. The main thrust of Suyash , teaching was based on the values of helpfulness and protecting each other during the time of crisis. He had rescued a ‘Devagana’ named Yama and also the Manvantar named as ‘Swayambhuva’.

330px-From_a_series_of_Vishnu_Avataras-_Yagya

Ramayana and Lord Hanumana facts

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When it comes to Ramayana and Lord Rama, Lord Hanumana is always remembered. He was a great devotee of Rama, a great scholar and one who was capable of winning all three worlds. But, he set the example to the world and a great lesson in humbleness. These facts are about Ramayana, but Lord Hanumana is an integral part of these.

Lord Rama’ s departure from earth

This is an interesting story of how Lord Rama left earth while Hanuman was protecting him.

Ram wouldn’t leave earth as Hanuman wouldn’t allow Yama (God of Death) to enter Ayodhya to claim Ram. To divert Hanuman‘s attention Ram dropped his ring through a crack in the floor and asked Hanuman to fetch it back for him. Going down Hanuman reached the land of serpents and asked the King for Ram’s ring. The king showed Hanuman a vault filled with rings all of which were Ram’s. He told a shocked Hanuman that when in the cycle of time a Ram needs to depart,  he drops a ring down the crack so that a Hanuman can be diverted from his guard.

Why Laxman was younger to Rama but Balrama was elder to Shri Krishna

Lakshman complained that he always had to follow Ram’s instructions even though when he thought they were unjust as he the younger brother and thus duty  bound. Ram promised his that in the next life, he, Lakshman would be the elder brother, but also told him that he would still follow his instructions. They were reborn as Balrama and Krishna. And yet Balrama (elder & Shesha Naga) followed Krishna not because of seniority but because Krishna was always right.

Rama and Laxman
Rama and Laxman

Jambavanta wish to fight Lord Rama was fulfilled in next incarnation of Lord Rama

Pleased with his help during the battle with Ravana, Lord Rama granted Jambavanta a wish. Jambavantha then expressed his wish to fight Lord Rama in a duel. Lord Rama said he would definitely fight him but not as Rama. Later in Dwapara yuga, Krishna fought Jambavanta in a duel and defeated him. Jambavantha then realized that it was Lord Rama who in Krishna’s form defeated him.

Lord Krishna and Jambavant
Lord Krishna and Jambavant

How Devi Sita satisfied Lord Hanumana’s hunger

Lord Hanumana once visited Sita in sage Valmiki’s cottage and expressed his desire to eat the food cooked by Sita. Sita cooked many delicacies and started serving Hanumana. But Hanumana’s hunger was insatiable and the entire rations of the cottage were coming to an end. Sita then asked to Lord Rama who suggested her she serve a morsel with a Tulsi Leaf. Sita did the same and Hanumana’s hunger was finally satisfied.

Why Lord Hanumana’s body is covered with vermilion (Sindoor)

Once Lord Hanumana saw Sita applying sindoor (Vermilion) to her hair. He asked her what purpose it served to which Sita replied that it was for the well being and long life of Lord Rama. Then Hanuman smeared his entire body with sindoor for the long life of Lord Rama.

Lord Hanumana with sindoor
Lord Hanumana with sindoor

Why Lord Rama was separated from Sita – Due to Parvati’s curse

After Ravana and his brothers received boons from Lord Brahma, Ravana planned on invading the kingdom of Amaravati, the capital of the heavenly kingdom of Indra. Knowing Ravana’s strength and capability,  Indra consults Narada for help.

Narada tells Indra that Ravana is powerful because his family worships Lord Shiva and that the worship in turn gives them such tremendous power. Narada then suggests Indra that he disrupt Kaikesi’s (Ravan’s Mother) worship of a Linga which is made of sand. Indra disrupts the prayer by destroying the Linga. Knowing this Ravana then promises Kaikesi that he will perform penance and bring Lord Shiva’s Aatma Linga for her to worship.

Goddess Parvathi comes to know about Ravana’s penance and fears that Lord Shiva might leave Kailasa and go to earth forever. Narada then suggests Goddess Parvathi that she seek Lord Vishnu’s help in this matter. Lord Shiva impressed by Ravana’s penance grants him a wish. Lord Vishnu then uses his magic to trick Ravana into asking Goddess Parvathi’s hand from lord Shiva instead of the Aatma Linga. Shiva grants Ravana’s wish. Goddess Parvathi then curses Lord Vishnu that he will also be seperated from his spouse the next time he is born as a human.

This curse laid the path for Sita’s abduction and the Ramayana.

Nag Panchmi festival

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The Story of Nag Panchmi festival

Nag Panchami

Nag Panchami

Nag Panchmi festival is celebrated on fifth day of Shravan month of Shukla Paksha. The interesting story behind this festival is related to Pandavas. It happened that Raja Parikshit was killed after a snake bite. His son Janmejaya, vowed to decimate the whole race of snakes by performing a yagya. This yagya was stopped by intervention of Astika, who was son of Jaratkaru. Since this yagya was stopped on fifth day of shukla paksha of Shravan, Nag Panchmi is celebrated on this day.

A temple opens on this day only in Mahakaleshwar shrine

Nagchandreshwar darshan happens in a year only on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha of Shravan month.The temple opens its doors annually only on Nag Panchmi.The temple will open after proper worship and religious ceremonies to facilitate devotees to pay obeisance to the deity.

Mahakal Nagpanchmi

Mahakal Nagpanchmi

Astika saves Nagas

Astika was born to Sage Jaratkaru. He was a brilliant scholar, and was very learned in the Vedas and scriptures. When he was about sixteen, King Janamejaya performed the great snake-sacrifice with the aim of destroying all the snakes.

The sacrifice performed in the presence of Janamejaya was so powerful that it was causing all snakes to fall into the Yagna kunda (sacrificial fire pit). When the priests found that only Takshaka who had bitten and killed Parisksihit had escaped to the nether world of Indra seeking his protection, the sages increased the tempo of reciting the mantras (spells) to drag Takshaka and also Indra to the sacrificial fire. Takshaka had coiled himself around Indra’s cot but the force of the sacrificial yagna was so powerful that even Indra along with Takshaka were dragged towards the fire. This scared the gods who then appealed to Manasa devi to intervene and resolve the crisis. She then requested her son Astika to go to the site of the yagna and appeal to Janamejaya to stop the Sarpa Satra yagna.

At his mother’s request, Astika went to the sacrifice, and obtained a boon from Janamejaya that the snake-sacrifice should be abandoned mid way. Thus he fulfilled the purpose of his birth, saving his kinsmen, the snakes from utter destruction.

 

Other legends of Nag Panchmi

This festival has rich mythological overtones, starting from the tremendous victory of Lord Krishna over the huge Kaliya in the Yamuna River. We have a further reference to Seshnag, the king of serpents, who was tamed by Lord Vishnu, as pictured in Ananda Padmanabha temple in Trivandrum of Kerala. The deity in the temple is Lord Vishnu, sleeping on the body of Seshnag. No wonder, the Keralites deem Nag Punchami as a huge festival and adore snakes on the day with piety. It is also considered as paying homage to Manasa, the serpent Goddess sister of Vasuki, the Snake who was used as a rope by the Devas and Asuras to churn the Milky Ocean.

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple Mahavishnu Idol

Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple Mahavishnu Idol

Nag Puja is carried out in Assam, Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa in reverence of all snakes which have such a magnificent role in mythology. In Punjab, people celebrate Manasa Devi Ashtanag Puja (Guga Navami) by making a huge snake from flour and worshipping it. It is not only with Lord Vishnu, the greatness of snakes is associated; it is also with Lord Shiva- which is a very clear transparent concept, since it is the snake around the neck of Lord Shiva which inspires awe and piety on the very first look of the deity. Moreover in the Puranas, there is a reference to Brahma’s son’s wife as the mother of all nags.

There is also a mythological story about a goddess Sathyeshwari, whose brother Sathyeshwar died before the day of Nag Panchami. She grieved over the death of her brother without eating anything. She saw her brother in the form of a cobra and believed that it was her brother. So, Nagdev promised her that he would protect any woman who deems a cobra as her brother and worships it. Hence, it became the habit of Hindu women to worship snakes for the longevity and safety of their brothers on this day.

Story of serpent and farmer

In the context of Nag Panchami, many stories are famous. As per one of the story, a farmer used to live in a state with his two sons and one daughter. One day while ploughing the field, three children of snakes came under it and died. After the death of Naag(male snake), at first, Naagin(female snake) expressed sorrow by mourning, then, planed to take the revenge from the murderer of its sons.

In the darkness of night, Naagin, killed the farmer, his wife and his two sons by biting them. Next day morning, Naagin(she-serpent) came to bite the farmers daughter. The girl kept a bowl full of milk and joined hands for forgiveness,in front of Naagin. By this gesture of the girl, Naagin got happy and gave back the lives of farmer, his wife and two sons.

That day it was,Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Shravan Maas. From that day, to be safe of Serpent’s anger, they are worshiped on this day and Naag Panchami is celebrated.

The story of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – Lord Shiva

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Nageshwar Jyotirlinga – Lord Shiva

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is an important temple of Lord Shiva near Dwarka. Here, Lord Krishna Himself used to worship and perform Rudrabhishekam. The Rudra Samhita sloka refers to Nageshwar with the phrase Daarukaavane Naagesham.  This shloka is also the source about the controversy of the location of this temple.

Nageshwar Temple

Nageshwar Temple

Controversy about the location

At present there is debate on the actual location of the legendary forest of Darukavana, so identifying the Jyotirlinga of Nageswaram remains difficult. Since there are no other important clues in the text as to the location of the Jyotirlinga , ‘Darukavana’ remains the vital, and only, clue.

The written name of Darukavana could be misread as ‘Dwarakavana’ which would lead us to the Nageswara temple at Dwarka. In fact there is no forest in this part of Dwarka that finds mention in any of the Indian epics. In the narratives of Shri Krishna, we find mention of Somanatha and adjoining Prabhasa tirtha, but never is there any mention of Nageshwara or Darukavana in Dwarka or thereabouts.

Dwarka – A unique distinctive city from mythological point of view

Nevertheless, Dwaraka has a great distinction in Indian mythology. It is one of the Sapta-puris or seven holy towns- Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kashi, Ujjain, Kanchipuram and Dwarka; and one of the four Dhamas or holy places Rameshvaram, Puri, Badrinath and Dwarka.

Story behind the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

There is a popular legend, related to Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. According to the legend, there was a businessman with an immeasurable faith in god and karma . He was highly devoted to Lord Shiva.Despite being busy in his business and work, whatever spare time he used to get, he exhausted it in praying, adoring, and serving Lord Shiva. Seeing his devotion in Lord Shiva, a monster named Daruka got angry .Being a monster in nature, he was never in favour of Lord Shiva and infact hated him.

That demon, always looked for an opportunity, to disrupt merchant’s devotion . One day that merchant was going in a boat for some business purpose. The monster saw this, and with the found opportunity he attacked the merchant’s boat and took all the travellers to the capital and imprisoned them.

Even in the prison, the merchant use to pray Lord Shiva constantly. When the demon, got to know about about it, he got aggressive and visited the merchant in prison,in the spirit of anger.The merchant was meditating at that time .The monster, started to resent at the merchant in that state only. When the demon saw, that his resentment is not affecting the merchant at all, he instructed his slaves to kill the merchant. Even this instruction could not act as a barrier to his meditation. The merchant kept on praying for his and his fellow people’s liberation. Lord Shiva was pleased with this devotion, and appeared in the prison in the form of Jyotirlinga and gave Pashupata, a weapon to the merchant, to protect himself.. He killed Rakshas Darukk, and his disciples from the weapon given by Lord Shiva. Since then this Jyoitirlinga is established there, and was named Nageshwar.

Interesting story of why the temple faces south

Nageshwar Mahadev Shivalingam is facing South while the Gomugam is facing east. There is a story for this position. A devotee by name Naamdev was singing bhajans in front of the Lord. Other devotees asked him to stand aside and not hide the Lord.
To this Naamdev asked them to suggest one direction in which the Lord does not exist, so that he can stand there. The enraged devotees carried him and left him on the southside.
To their astonishment, they found that the Linga was now facing South with the Gomugam facing east.

Aurangzeb wanted to destroy this temple

Aurangzeb, the notorious Mughal emperor, wanted to destroy this Hindu temple. When he tried, thousands of bees came out of the temple and attacked Aurangzeb and his army. He left the demolition work midway and went away. The devotees rebuild the broken temple.

Speciality of this temple

Another specialty of this Shivalinga is that unlike the other Shivalingas, which are made of black stone and look like a neat pillar rounded off at the top, this one is made of a stone known popularly as Dwaraka Shila, which has small chakras on it. The shape of the linga is more or less like a oval 3 mukhi Rudraksha.

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga