Guru poornima is the festival which is celebrated to thank teachers in India. This festival is celebrated in the hindi month of Asadh ( June – July ) by english calendar.
student and teacher
This festival is celebrated in remembrance of
Gautam Buddha
He gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Buddha went from Bodhgaya to Sarnath about 5 weeks after his enlightenment. Before Gautama (the Buddha-to-be) attained enlightenment, he gave up his austere penances and his friends, the Pañcavaggiya monks, left him and went to Isipatana (Sarnath). After attaining Enlightenment the Buddha, leaving Uruvela, travelled to the Isipatana to join and teach them. He went to them because, using his spiritual powers, he had seen that his five former companions would be able to understand Dharma quickly. While travelling to Sarnath, Gautama Buddha had to cross the Ganges. When King Bimbisara heard of this, he abolished the toll for ascetics. When Gautama Buddha found his five former companions, he taught them, they understood and as a result they also became enlightened. At that time the Sangha, the community of the enlightened ones, was founded. The sermon Buddha gave to the five monks was his first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. It was given on the full-moon day of Asadha.
Vedvyasa
Vedvyasa – It is said that Vyasa have been born on this day, but also to have started writing the Brahma Sutras on ashadha sudha padyami, which ends on this day. This great sage also wrote Mahabharata. This was the day, when Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa – author of the Mahabharata – was born to sage Parashara and a fisherman’s daughter Satyavati, thus this day is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima.
This is also celebrated by students of Indian classical music and Indian classical dance, which also follow the Guru shishya parampara, celebrate this holy festival around the world.
We all know about what a danveer Karna was, but there is very less information on his family.The most important family member is probably Vrishketu, who survived the Mahabharata war and grew very close to Pandavas. His most popular wife is Vrushali.
क्रोध बहुत बुरी बात है । कभी भी किसी को क्रोध नहीं करना चाहिये ।
यहाँ मैं दो स्थितियों का वर्णन करूँगा , एक स्थिति में क्रोध और क्रोध करने वाली की गति और दूसरी स्थिति में क्रोध और क्रोध न करने वाली की गति ।
पंचवटी में राम, सीता , और लक्ष्मण कुटी बनाकर रह रहे थे । जंगल का ये इलाका गिद्गराज जटायु का जाना पहचान था , अतः दूर से ही उनकी की नज़रें हमेशा राम ,सीता और लक्ष्मण की सुरक्षा पर टीकी रहती थीं । अचानक उन्हें रावण का पुष्पक विमान उस इलाके में दिखाई दिया । रावण के स्वभाव से जटायु राज भली भांति परिचित थे । अतः वे सीता की सुरक्षा के लिये विशेष सावधान हो गये । किसी पहाड़ी की ऊंची छोटी पर बैठे उन्होंने देखा कि रावण के चंगुल में फंसी सीता उसके पुष्पक विमान में विलख और छटपटा रहीं थीं । गिद्धराज जटायु ने क्रोध में आग बबूला हो , जनक नन्दिनी को मुक्त करने का रावण को आदेश दिया । रावण के नहीं मानने पर उन्होंने कहा, “यद्यपि मैं बूढ़ा हो गया हूं , फिर भी मैं तुम्हें जिन्दा रहते , जनकनंदिनी को यहां से ले जाने नहीं दूंगा “। और फिर उसके बाद गिद्धराज जटायु और रावण का जो युद्ध हुआ उससे हम सभी परिचित है ।
Jatayu and Ravana – Aranya Kanda
रावण इस भीषण युद्ध में जटायु पर भारी पड़ा और उसने जटायु के पंखों को काट डाला । बेचारे जटायु जमीन पर अर्धमूर्छित अवस्था में गिर पड़े और ईश्वर से यही प्रार्थना करते रहे कि , उनकी सांस तब तक बनी रहे , जब तक वे राम को सीता हरण का समाचार न दे दें ।
राम लक्ष्मण जंगल में सीता को खोजते हुए उधर आये । उनलोगों ने इधर-उधर खून के कुछ छीटें देखे और उन खून के धब्बों की तरफ आगे बड़ने पर खून से लथ-पथ जटायु को देखा । राम ने जटायु को तुरन्त अपनी गोद में लिया और लक्ष्मण को कुछ जड़ी -बूटी लाने का आदेश दिया । दर्द से तड़पते हुये जटायु ने राम से कहा , “राम मेरे जाने का समय हो गया है, मेरी साँसे इसीलिये टिकी हुई थीं, जिससे कि मैं आपको यह बता सकूँ , ” जनकनंदिनी को रावण उठाकर दक्षिण दिशा की तरफ ले गया है । मैंने सीता को बचाने की बहुत कोषिष की । परन्तु रावण इस बूढ़े गिद्ध पर भारी पड़ा और मैं जनकनंदिनी को बचा नहीं सका “।
जटायु ने राम की गोद में ही दम तोड़ दिया । राम ने लक्ष्मण को लकड़ी इकठा करने का आदेश दिया और स्वयं अपने हाथों जटायु का दाह-संस्कार किया ।
जटायु के क्रोध का फल देखये , एक अवतारी पुरुष की गोद में प्राण त्यागना और अवतारी पुरुष के हाथों दाह संस्कार । आप अठारहों पुराण पढ़ लीजिये , सारे धर्मग्रंथों को पढ़ लीजिये , ये कहीं नहीं पायेंगें कि किसी अवतारी पुरुष ने अपने पिता का दाह संस्कार किया हो ।
जटायु के “क्रोध” ने उन्हें उस जगह पहुंच दिया , जिस जगह पर ऋषि मुनि भी जन्मों की तपस्या के बाद नहीं पहुँच पाते ।
दूसरा दृष्य , जिसमे क्रोध नहीं किया गया :-
धृतराष्ट्र की भरी सभा , भीष्म से लेकर सभी बुजुर्ग महारथी और पूज्यजन , सर निचे किये , द्रौपदी का चिर हरण देखते रहे । अबला नारी सभी से अपनी इज्जत की भीख मांगती रही । आर्यावर्त के उस समय के सबसे बड़े और शक्तिशाली पुरुष भीष्म अपनी ही पौत्रबधु की इज़्ज़त की धज्जियां उड़ते देख रहे थे । चुप रहने का कारण चाहे जो कुछ भी रहा हो , परन्तु यदि उन्होंने उस क्षण झूठ-मूठ का भी क्रोध किया होता , सभा में उपस्थित अपने दुष्ट पोतों को डांटा भी होता , तो शायद महाभारत का रण नहीं हुआ होता ।
और उस दिन भीष्म के क्रोध न करने का फल भीष्म को मिला , छे महीने तक वाणों के सर सैया , वाणों की सेज पर पड़े रहने का फल ।
Bhishma Pitamah
जटायु ने उचित समय पर क्रोध किया और भीष्म ने उचित समय पर क्रोध नहीं किया । दोनों को फल मिला , परन्तु अलग अलग ।
One does not associate Devi Sita with curses, but according to a story, Devi herself have cursed some entities. The whole story goes as following.
Preparation of shraddha for King Dashratha
When Rama, Sita and Lakshman went for exile, Dasharatha passed away, as he was unable to bear the pain of separation of his sons. When Rama and Lakshman got this news they started making preparation for shraddha.
Rama send his brother Lakshman to the village to get necessary things for Shraddha. But, when Lakshman didn’t return for long Rama was worried and decided to go to look for Lakshman and get the things, before leaving he make necessary security arrangements for Sita. But Rama too didn’t return for long.
Rama Sita and Laxmana
Events at the time of Shraddha
Sita was worried as the time for shraddha was also passing, ceremony had to be performed before noon. Sita decided to perform the ceremony on her own with whatever ingredient that were available there.
Before starting the ceremony she bathed in the river Phalgu. She lit a earthen lamp. She then made the offering to offer it to the dead ancestors. When she had almost completed the ceremony she heard a voice, Sita you are blessed we are satisfied. she was surprised to see some hand that appeared to accept the offerings. She asked Who he was, she heard a voice that I’m your dead father-in- law, i accept your offerings and blessed her and said you have successfully completed the ceremony.
The five witnesses
Then Sita said when Rama and Lakshman will be back they will not believe her. The voice said they will have to believe you and you have five witnesses. First one is Akshaya vatam (Banyan tree), second is river Phalgu, third is a Cow, fourth is a Tulsi plant and last was a Brahmin. Saying this the hand and the voice disappeared.
Four witnesses turned back
when Rama and Lakshman were back, Sita told them the entire story about how she has successfully completed the ceremony, but both the brothers refuse to believe her. Then Sita called her witnesses,among the five only Akshaya vatam took her side and said the truth but she was surprised as river Phalgu, cow Tulsi and Brahmin denied having seen anything.
Brothers realized the mistake
Rama and Lakshman without wasting more time started the ceremony. Suddenly they heard a voice saying why have you invoked us again, Sita has performed the ceremony very religiously and satisfied us, there is no need to repeat the ceremony. Rama and Lakshmana were ashamed of not believing Sita.
Sita curses the four witnesses
Sita was very unhappy with the witnesses so she cursed them. She cursed River Phalgu that henceforth it would be flowing only underground at Gaya. She cursed Cow that henceforth its mouth will remain impure and will be no longer worshipped from front, only backside will be worshipped. She cursed Tulsi plant that there will be no more tulsi plant in Gaya. She cursed the Brahmin that he will never be satisfied. He will always be hungry and crave for more and more.
She blessed Akshaya Vatam
But, she blessed Akshaya vatam, Banyan tree to remain immortal, And all who come to gaya would perform the Pinda pradaanam at Akshaya vatam too.
But according to Shiv Purana Sita has cursed River Phalgu, henceforth it would be flowing underground, She cursed Ketaki flower that henceforth ketaki flower would not be accepted by Lord Shiva in worship. She cursed Cow that henceforth its mouth will be considered impure and lastly, she cursed Fire that it would have to consume everything indiscriminately.
Strange, but there is substance to this story. We all know that Sita was daughter of King Janak, and we also know that she was found from the earth. She is given the status of Janak’s elder daughter. But other than this truth, there is another truth, which reveals that Sita was the real daughter of Lanka king Ravana. This is documented well in the Thai Ramayana.
Though, the Indian Ramayana suggests Sita to be the daughter of King Janak, but according to Thailand’s Ramayan ‘Ramakian’, Sita is Ravana’s daughter.
Ravana and Sita
Sita was born to Ravana
As per Ramakian, when Sita was born to Ravana, the sages had warned him that his own daughter will become the reason for his death. Therefore, out of fear, Ravana had put her into the sea.
But as luck would have it, Sita survived and was found by Janak. Wait, there is more to the story. Ravana even came to attend her swayamvara, as he did not know this fact.
Ravana attends her swayamvara
Since Raavan did not know that Sita is his daughter, so he had come to attend her swayamvara. However, because she was his daughter their marriage could not happen. But the fact told by the sages to Ravana turned true as Sita became the reason for Rama and Ravana’s battle, eventually resulting in end of Ravana .
Apart from this incident, there are many other shocking things that one can find in Thai Ramayana.
Perhaps she is the most important mother figure in Indian mythology. She, the mother of Lord Krishna and Lord Balrama attained immortality by Lord Krishna’s childhood stories.
As in all mythological stories, there is a story on how she became the mother of Lord Krishna. As per Bhagvata purana, Yashoda and Nanda in their previous birth, a couple who made a great penance for Lord Vishnu. He appeared and asked them what they wanted. They said with much respect, “Great Lord, we would like to treat you like our son.” Lord Vishnu accepted. After all, he was never used to mother’s love. Then, in Krishna’s Avatar, he grew up at Yashoda even though he was born to Devaki. In Bhagavatha we can see how much Yashoda loved Krishna. There were even movies on them both. Even when Krishna opened his mouth and showed her all the worlds, she could only see and stood astonished. A while later, Krishna had to use his maya and let Yashoda forget Krishna’s divinity. He wanted her pure motherly love to stay, instead of respect and devotion.
Though Mata Yashoda played an integral part in Shri Krishna’s childhood, She once lamented to him that she did not get to witness his marriage. This wish was fulfilled in the next birth when Krishna says that in the future he will take the Avatara of Sri Venkateshwara and then he will have Yashoda as his mother, Vakula Matha. She could then, witness Lord Venkateshwara’s marriages.
That way, Krishna became her child twice. Also, we know that in Tirupati, the most followed name of Lord Venkateshwara is ‘Govinda’, another famous name of Krishna.
MEANING I bow to Lord Vishnu the One Master of the Universe, who is ever peaceful, who reclines on the great serpent bed, from whose navel springs the Lotus of the Creative Power, who is the Supreme Being, who supports the entire universe, who is all-pervading as the sky, who is dark like the clouds and has a beautiful form; the Lord of Lakshmi, the lotus-eyed One, whom the yogis are able to perceive through meditation, He, who is the destroyer of the fear of Samsar.
Shantakaram – Lord Vishnu
Shantakaram Bhujagshayanam
Significance of Garuda as the Vehicle of Vishnu
It is the heart of man that is referred to as a bird. It carries the thought of God; it moves swiftly to where He is. His abode is Vaikuntha meaning a place where there is no shadow of grief. How far is it? It is within the hearing distance of every grief – stricken heart. “I do not dwell in Vaikuntha or in the heart of Yogis. I am present wherever my devotees sing my praise Oh Narada”.
The Efficacy of Vishnu Mantra
Lord Vishnu is so compassionate and merciful. Once sage Bhrigu wanted to test the Trinity (the three gods of creation, sustenance and destruction namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) as to who is the most tolerant one. When he used abusive language at the Brahmaloka and Shivaloka, he was duly cursed and punished by them.
Then he went to Vaikunt, the abode of Lord Vishnu. By way of testing the patience and tolerance of the Lord, he kicked the Lord with his foot. At once, Lord Vishnu caught hold of the sage’s feet and caressed it saying that by kicking, the foot would have invited some pain and therefore he wanted to ease his discomfort.
The sage was so amazed with the degree to which the Lord can put up with the act of dishonour. This incident was enough for him to conclude that Lord Vishnu was the most merciful, loving and compassionate Lord.
Praying to Lord Vishnu is a way to get his blessings in abundance. Daily prayers to Vishnu is advised to get the most positive results. Those who want to get their wishes fulfilled must chant Vishnu Mantra on a daily basis completing a round of 108 times.
Wake up early in the morning, light ghee lamp and incense in front of the picture or idol of Lord Vishnu and offer some pure water and flowers besides any prasad you might feel comfortable with. Be seated in front of the altar and chat the mantra sincerely contemplating on the meaning. You will find your wishes coming true in due course with the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Beej Mantras are seed mantras. Beej mantras are sounds with spiritual powers. They work out miracles in a profound way for the devotees who follow them. Each diety has a specific beej mantra. One could pick a beej mantra and repeat it in the mind as often as possible. In a way mental/conscious repetition will morph into unconscious repetition. Mind can be trained to focus. It will be good if a Guru can impart it. It is difficult to find a Guru who is genuine. Sit in front of a photo of Sri Dattatreya or Sai Baba or Sri Guru Raghavendra and offer dakshina and request their guidance in reciting the mantra and avoidance of mistakes.
Beej mantras for Ganesh, Vishnu, Hanuman, Lakshmi and Saraswathi can be practiced by any one. But for Devi sadhanas where every syllable matters, caution needs to be exercised.
OM
OM is the symbol for the whole universe. It carries three basic sounds: A-U-M. These three basic sounds through which all the sounds have evolved. So OM is the basic trinity of sound, the synthesis of all the basic roots. That’s why OM is considered the secret mantra, the greatest mantra, because it implies the whole existence, it represents the sound of soundlessness, the beauty of silence.
Om
OM represents the music of existence, the soundless sound, the sound of silence. OM represents the inner most music of our being, the inner harmony, the inner humming sound which happens when our body, mind, soul are in deep totality, when the visible and the invisible, the un-manifest and the manifest, the relative and absolute, the outer and inner are in deep togetherness.
To become one with OM-the music of existence is to attain fulfillment.
Ganapati: Gam
For realization of Lord Ganapati, knowledge, wisdom, protection, fortune, happiness, health, wealth, elimination of all obstacles and all round success.
Ganapati
Hanuman: Fraum
For realization of Lord Hanuman, unlimited strength,power, protection, wisdom, happiness, elimination of bad spirits & ghosts, victory over enemies and every conceivable success.
Shri Hanuman Jee
Vishnu: Dam
For realization of Lord Vishnu, wealth, health, protection, happy married life, happiness, victory and all round success.
Shri Vishnu
Kuber: Dhham
For realization of Lord Kuber, massive monetary gain,wealth, fortune and all round success.
Lord Kubera
Mahalaxmi: Shreem
For realization for Goddess Mahalaxmi, wealth, material gains, success in business or profession, elimination of ailments & worries, protection, gettinga beautiful wife, happy married life and all roundsuccess.
Mahalaxmi Shreem
Saraswati: Ayeim or Aim
For realization of Goddess Saraswati, knowledge, wisdom, success in exams, pleasure and all round success.
Bhuvaneshwari: Hreem
For realization for Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, getting everything including but not limited to Kundalini Jagran. The best and the most powerful. This mantra should be used for those who aspire to be leader of men and achieve every desire. It is important to remember to be reasonable for the mantra to be effective.
Kali: Kreem
For realization for Goddess Kali, health, strength, protection, elimination of enemies, solution of grave problems and all round success.
Shiv: Hroum
For realization for Lord Shiv, protection from deadlydiseases, immortality, moksh and all round success.
Durga: Doom
For realization for Goddess Durga, power, strength,protection, health, wealth, victory, wisdom, knowledge, elimination of enemies & grave problems, happy married life and all round success. One gets whatever one wants.
Kamraj mantra: Kaleem
Fulfills one’s desires.
Bhairav: Bhram
For realization of Lord Bhairav, success in Mahavidya or Shakti sadhanas, strength, protection, victory,health, wealth, happiness, fame, success in courtcases, elimination of enemies, success in life and all round success.Offering Cashew Nut garland to the Lord is auspicious.
Dhoomavati: Dhoom
For realization of Goddess Dhoomavati, quick elimination of all adversaries, strength, fortune, protection, health, wealth and all round success.
Bagalamukhi: Hleem or Hlreem
For realization of Goddess Bagalamukhi, quick elimination of all enemies, fierce power, victory, fame, elimination of tantra badha, nullifying maranproyogs of enemies and all round success.
Tara: Treem
For realization of Goddess Tara, unending monetary gain, unlimited wealth, fortune, fame, happiness, victory and all round success.
Narsimha: Kshraum
For realization of Lord Narsimha, quick victory overenemies, elimination of enemies, fortune and all round success. This mantra removes all sorrows and fears.
Akash Tatva: Ham
For activating the Akash Tatva (space element) in us which gets us siddhis and eliminates ailments related to this element. Activation of all elements leads to quicker awakening of Kundalini and enables a sadhak to access all supernatural powers.
Agni Tatva: Ram
For activating the Agni Tatva (fire element) in uswhich gets us siddhis and eliminates ailments relatedto this element. Activation of all elements leads toquicker awakening of Kundalini and enables a sadhak toaccess all supernatural powers.
Vayu Tatva: Yam
For activating the Vayu Tatva (air element) in uswhich gets us siddhis and eliminates ailments relatedto this element. Activation of all elements leads toquicker awakening of Kundalini and enables a sadhak toaccess all supernatural powers.
Prithvi Tatva: Ksham
For activating the Prithvi Tatva (earth element) in uswhich gets us siddhis and eliminates ailments relatedto this element. Activation of all elements leads toquicker awakening of Kundalini and enables a sadhak toaccess all supernatural powers.
Shanti (Peace): Tam
For getting rid of disease, worry, fear and illusions.
Some simple mantras are given which can be recited by anyone and help achieve what the sadhak wants. They have simple or no methodology associated with them.
Panch Akshari – “Om Namah Shivaye” – It fulfills all desires.It leads to moksha and all sins are destroyed. It has no methodology assocaited and can be recited by anyone anytime.
Asht Akshari – “Om Namah Narayanaya” – One can achieve and can be blessed with anything.
Ganpati Mantra – “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha” – It not only removes all obstacles but also gives success in one’s efforts.
Hanuman Mantra – “Om Hoom Hanumate Rudratamakaye hoom phut swaha” – There is no favour that Hanumanji cannot bestow. Hanumanji is the embodiment of all good qualities which he freely gives to his devotees.
Saraswati Mantra – “Om Aim Kleeng Saum Saraswatiya Namaha” – It makes a person a learned scholar and he attains high proficiency in education. This mantra should be recited in the morning.
Dattatreya Mantra – “Om Hareem Parambraham Parmaatmane Hari Harbrahyendraya Dattatroyaye swaha” – Dattatreya can bestow everything on his followers.
Shishupala was born to king of Chedi. He was born with four hands and three eyes. His parents and relatives were scared of him and decided to cast him out. But they were warned by a invisible voice from the heaven…O king, your son will be fortunate and superior in strength, don’t be scared of him indeed cherish him without anxiety.His extra hands and eye will disappear in the lap of the person who will kill him.
Shri Krishna takes him in his lap
So his parents called all the kings of the world to Chedi and put the child on each of their their laps to see which one would be the slayer. Finally Krishna and Balarama (who were children at the time) came, as they were nephews of the queen of Chedi. (The queen of Chedi was the sister of Krishna’s father Vasudeva). As soon as Krishna put Shishupala in his lap, Shishupala’s extra arms fell off and his third eye disappeared indicating Shishupala’s death was destined at the hands of Krishna.
Shishupala was forgiven by Krishna a hundred times.
Shri Krishna promises to spare him for hundred times
Seeing that Shri Krishna will be the one who will cause Shishupala’s death, his mother started weeping and asking Lord to not to kill her son. In the Mahabharata, Shishupala’s mother was given a vow by Krishna, her nephew, that he would pardon his cousin a hundred times and he will kill him when he exceeds the limit.
Shishupala was earlier Hiranyakashyap
Shishupala fought with Krishna many times, once when Krishna eloped with Rukmini who was betrothed to him, and defeated the combined armies of Shishupala and Rukmini’s brother Rukmi. Sage Narada reminded Krishna that while he had previously (in the form of Narsingh avatar) killed Hiranyakashyap, the demon has been reborn as Shishupala and must be destroyed again.
End of Shishupala at Yagya of Yudhishthir
Once Yudhisthir, elder brother of Pandava was organised a famous Rajasuya yagya. Hee invited many kings and princes. Shishupal too was invited. When Shishupal saw Krishna there he began hurling abuses at Krishna. Krishna remained quit. Finally, when Shishupal uttered his hundredth abuse, Krishna turned to him, took his sudarshan chakra and flung it towards Shishupal. The chakra slashed Shishupala’s head and the crowed cheered.
This is Shishupala story for our readers, which is a fascinating story. Hope you liked.
Lord Yamaraj or Yama, was good looking and handsome. But he lost his good looks by the act of Lord Shiva. There is an interesting story behind this.
Once there was a deity who was very handsome. All his features were very attractive that he attracted a lot of attention from the women folk. He had an interesting job, which was escorting dead people to heaven or hell. He was Yama Dharmaraja or the God of Death.
This was several eons ago, before he had a makeover of sorts from Shiva, who gave him a gory countenance, which would make people shudder to see him.
Yama did not discharge his duties properly
There is an interesting anecdote behind this. Long ago when Yama was sent to be the God of Death, he did not render his duties properly. He was flirting with the women in Devaloka and on earth. Nobody was dying on earth and the earth was unable to bear the burden anymore.
Lord Shiva changes his looks
So Shiva called Yama to Kailash. When he arrived Shiva asked him “Yama, I heard thatnobody is scared of you on earth?”“Yes, my Lord,” he said.
“You also seem to attract women a lot,” he added. “No, my Lord, it is the women….”Yama said shamefacedly. Shiva knew that Yama was attracting women due to his good looks and changed his looks with a gory countenance. Then he told Yama to look at his reflection in the pond nearby. When Yama looked in the pond he was shocked beyond belief at the face staring at him from the water. He came running back to Shiva and said “Lord there is a fiery looking character staring at me from the water. He has dark looks, big teeth and big moustache and looks very scary. Who is he?”
Lord Shiva enquires Lord Yama
Yama is sad
Shiva laughed heartily at this and said “It is your own reflection!” Yama was saddened beyond belief. He asked Shiva “Is there a way to get back my earlier countenance,” he cried. Shiva just smiled in answer and went back to his penance. He looked at Shiva for a while and decided there was no point in waiting for his reply.
He tried to meet Brahma and Vishnu
He went looking for Brahma in Sathyaloka. But Brahma was busy writing something in a palm leaf manuscript. Yama looked at Brahma who had himself lost one head out of his five and thought “What is the point asking him about my plight?” and he left without meeting Brahma.
He goes to meet Vishnu in Vaikuntha. But Vishnu was seriously discussing something with wife Lakshmi, so Yama unwilling to disturb them, leaves without meeting Vishnu.
He does penance for Lord Vishnu
He returns to earth and travels south. He reaches the foothills of a mountain and is attracted by its serenity. He goes on a rigorous penance, to Vishnu. Years rolled by. Pleased by his devotion, Vishnu appears before him. Seeing Vishnu in front of him Yama falls at his feet and respectfully asks “Can you recognize me Oh Lord?” Vishnu says “I know everything that happened Yama. But it is all of your own doing. If you had not forgotten your duties, this situation wouldn’t have risen. “Forgive me Lord, You have to help me out of this,” he prayed. Vishnu felt sorry for Yama’s plight. “I will make your unsightly horns go away. Instead you will have a bull which will be your vehicle from now on,” he said.
Not satisfied with his appearance, Yama said “Can’t you change the appearance of my teeth which look so scary?” “Yama, when you went to Sathyaloka to meet Brahma, you offended him by not meeting him, so Brahma cursed you to have this gory appearance for life and I am unable to help you,” said Vishnu.
People will get scared by your appearance and it will help in your profession of bringing death.
Lord Yamaraj
Yama is at peace with himself
Convinced that nothing or nobody could change his fate, Yama, accepts his fate and returns to earth. Before that, he asks Vishnu to reside near him in Azhagar Kovil for people to propitiate him. Vishnu agrees and resides there. Lakshmi arrived one day looking for Vishnu and Yama asks her also to reside by the side of Vishnu. She also agrees. This place is known as Kallazhagar temple. Since Vishnu attracts people with his good looks, he is also known as Sunderraja Perumal and the place also came to be known as Azhagar Kovil. It is believed that Yama visits this temple to this day to propitiate Vishnu.
