ANGULIMAL

             ANGULIMAL


King Prasenajit, the ruler of Kosala (was located on the northeast of modern Uttar Pradesh, India), was a disciple of Buddha. Shravasti was his capital. He respected the principle of non-violence that Buddha taught. One day, his royal priest Garg, came to him in distress. An astrologer had predicted that his newly born son was to become a robber and would be a menace to society.

"What should be done?" asked Garg.

The king asked Garg to educate his son well hoping that he may turn out to be a good citizen despite the astrologer's forecast.

The son was named Ahimsaka, meaning a person who favors nonviolence. Ahimsaka proved to be very intelligent and was interested in learning the scriptures. When he was in his teens, he expressed his desire to go to Takshashila, a renowned educational center. His father agreed and Ahimsaka joined one of the most renowned teachers at Takshashila. Soon he became the most favored disciple of the teacher (guru). The teacher was so impressed by Ahimsaka's performance that he told his other disciples to follow Ahimsaka's footsteps. This made them jealous and they jointly made a heinous plan to turn the teacher against Ahimsaka. The teacher fell in their trap and banished Ahimsaka from school. Ahimsaka returned home with a heavy heart.

When Garg, Ahimsaka's father, learned that his son had been turned out of the school, he was furious. He accused Ahimsaka of disgracing his family and threw him out of the house. Poor Ahimsaka. He could not understand why his teacher turned against him and his family was unwilling to hear his side of the story. When he looked for a place to stay, no one was willing to help. He was badly hurt and felt rejected by the world.

Finally Ahimsaka decided to leave Shravasti and move to Kaushambi, a nearby town. Deep in thought, as he was walking down the highway, that passes through a hilly forest, he was attacked by a highway robber. The robber demanded his valuables. Ahimsaka was so frustrated that he unloaded his frustration on the robber and gave him a big blow. The robber fell to the ground and was overpowered by Ahimsaka. He begged for mercy. Ahimsaka decided then that he could make his living as a highway robber.

Soon he started to attack travelers and traders, looted them and killed them. His extreme frustration and anger against the society turned him into an animal. He not only robbed and killed his victims, he collected their little fingers to make a garland. So people called him Angulimal or the wearer of a garland made of little fingers.

People approached king Prasenajit for help. But when Prasenajit sent a small army, Angulimal killed most of them by hurling down huge boulders. The king was amazed by his strength. Prasenajit finally advised his citizens to avoid the highway, until Angulimal was killed.

One day, Angulimal found the highway deserted. He was waiting for his prey when he saw a monk passing by. He was none other than Lord Buddha. Angulimal chased the monk for a long time but mysteriously the monk was always one step ahead of him.

Angulimal shouted, "Stop moving." The monk replied, "I am not moving, I am at rest. It is you who is in constant motion because of your discontent." Angulimal threatened to kill Buddha and use his little finger for his garland. Buddha was not the least disturbed. He stretched his arms out and asked Angulimal to take his fingers if that would make him happy. Angulimal was baffled. He realized his mistake and fell to the feet of Buddha, seeking his mercy.

Buddha took Angulimal to his monastery to teach him the life of an ascetic.. Angulimal listened to Buddha's preaching everyday and started to serve in the monastery, taking care of the sick. Gradually, he transformed from a sinner to a saint. When king Prasenajit came to visit Buddha on his way to capture Angulimal, Buddha told him of the change that had come over Angulimal. The king was pleasantly surprised and left Angulimal in Buddha's care.

A few days later when Angulimal was collecting his alms as an ascetic, he met a boy whose father he had killed many years back. He felt depressed and hopeless.

When Buddha inquired as to the cause of his depression, Angulimal said, "I am a sinner. My hands are stained with blood. I have no hope." Buddha said, "Repentance is the only fire to burn the sins already committed. You are on the right path." Angulimal came to his senses.

One day people recognized Angulimal on the streets as he was out as an ascetic. They thought it to be his new trick and to beat him. Angulimal did not fight back. Later he dragged his half-dead body to the monastery where Buddha received him. He died on Buddha's lap saying, "Father, I am at last at peace with the world."

Buddha, later commented that "Angulimal was a great soul. He had conquered vice, cruelty and anger. He had attained Nirvana (the Eternal Truth)."

source : http://www.indolink.com/kidz/anguli.html

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ASHTAVAKRA

           ASHTAVAKRA

King Janaka & Sage Astabakra

Astabakra Sage

King Janaka and Sage Astabakra

The story of Ashtavakra is taken from the great ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. It is the story of a deformed young boy whose intelligence surpassed many old sages of his time.

Sage Uddalaka ran a school (Ashram) teaching Vedic knowledge. Kahoda was one of his best disciples. Uddalaka was so pleased with him that he got his daughter Sujata married to him. Sujata, eventually got pregnant and wanted her child to surpass all the sages of his time. So, she began to sit in the classes taught by Uddalaka and Kahoda, listening to their chanting with the unborn baby. It was one day, in a class taught by Kahoda, the unborn baby spoke up from inside the womb, "This is not the way to chant the verse, father." Kahoda felt insulted in front of the class and cursed, "You will be born deformed."

Sujata did not take the instance too seriously and was ambitious. She wanted more money to raise her child the best. So she asked her husband to go to king Janak who was then preparing for a fire worship ceremony (Yagna) hoping that the ceremony will bring money to the family.

When Kahoda approached Janak, the king received him respectfully but said with regret "Kahoda, I am unable to perform the Yagna which I decided to perform several years back. Sage, Bandhi arrived from no where and asked me to start the Yagna only after he is defeated in an academic discussion with the sages participating in the Yagna. His condition further includes that the sages who come forth for the debate, if defeated, will be drowned. So far he has killed many learned sages. Now it is up to you to take the challenge." Kahoda agreed to debate with Bandhi. He was defeated and drowned in the nearby river. The widowed Sujata heard the news and repented her actions. A few months later she gave birth to a boy who was deformed at eight joints and so named Ashtavakra. 

He got his education from his grandfather Uddalaka. Ashtavakra was extremely intelligent and his grandfather loved him dearly and was very proud of him. When Ashtavakra was only twelve, he finished all that he needed to know from his grandfather. He also heard the fate of his father and the Yagna of king Janak which still remained unfinished as no one could defeat Bandhi.

One night Ashtavakra ran away from the hermitage and came to king Janak. Looking to his deformed body, the guards were amused. Ashtavakra retorted, "Do not judge a person by his appearance and age, judge him by what he knows. Inform your king that there is a person ready to challenge Bandhi." The king came and was surprised to see a small deformed boy. He asked a few questions and was greatly impressed by his knowledge. 

King Janak soon arranged for the debate with Bandhi. When the spectators laughed on seeing the deformed Ashtavakra, Ashtavakra said with anger, "I did not know that the so called learned gathering is no better than a bunch of cobblers who judge a person by the skin and not by the knowledge he has."

To everyone's surprise Ashtavakara defeated Bandhi in no time. With vengeance he then requested the king to drown his father's killer. Bandhi then disclosed his identity. He said, "I am the son of Varuna, the god of water. I came to earth on the request of my father to get the best sages from here to perform his twelve years of Yagna. The only way I could get them to my father was to challenge them in a debate and throw them into water. Now that my father has completed the Yagna, let us go to the river band and watch the sages walk out of the river."

People rushed to the river bank and watched the sages return from the river. Kahoda came and embraced his learned son Ashtavakra. He then openly admitted that his son Ashtavakra was a lot more intelligent than he. Bandhi then asked Ashtavakra to take a dip in the river, with the blessings of his father, Varuna, which would make him normal. 

Ashtavakra did as he was told and came out of the river as a handsome young man. Janak rewarded Ashtavakra and Kahoda. They went back to their hermitage to be united with the family. Uddalaka, was so happy to see his worthy grandson surpassing in knowledge to all the great sages of his time. Sujata rejoiced at seeing her handsome son and the husband.

source : http://www.indolink.com/kidz/ashtavkr.html

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TWAM TAT ASI

                      TWAM TAT ASI


This short story, quoting the conversation between Swetaketu and his father, attempts to disclose a profound and subtle teaching of Vedas - "Thou Art That (Twam Tat Asi)."

All people, have in themselves an eternal truth and reality called Atman, which corresponds to an identical but greater all-encompassing reality called Brahman. The life in this world is actually an illusion (maya) and the only way to escape the wheel of suffering between life and death is to realize that unchanging reality within one's individual self, through devotion, penance and meditation.

"Believe me, my son," said Svetketu's father, a sage. "An invisible and subtle essence is the Spirit of the whole Universe. That is Reality. That is Atman. Thou Art That."

"Explain more to me, father," said Svetaketu.

"So be it, my son. Place this lump of salt in water and return tomorrow morning."

Svetaketu did as he was commanded.

In the morning his father asked him to take out the lump of salt. Svetketu looked into the water, but could not find the salt, as it had dissolved.

His father then said, "Taste the water. How is it?"

"It is salty" replied Svetketu.

"Look for the salt again" the father addressed.

"I cannot see the salt, father. I only see water that tastes salty" commented Svetketu.

Svetketu's father then said, "In the same way, O my son, you cannot see the Sprit. But in truth he is here. An invisible and subtle essence is the Spirit of the whole universe. That is Reality. That is Truth. Thou art that (Twam Tat Asi)."

source : http://www.indolink.com/kidz/tattwam.html

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A DUTIFUL SON- RAMA

A DUTIFUL SON- RAMA


"Father's Day" is observed in the month of June. It is the day for expressing our love and respect to our father, one of the most important person of our lives. Both father and mother, all over the world, play a vital role in shaping the character of their children. In traditional India, a dutiful son takes care of his parents in their old age. This is our social security. The daughter is more committed towards her husband's family though her emotional ties with her own parents never get severed.

Today I will tell you the story of a dutiful son, Rama, who went to exile for fourteen years in order to fulfill the promises that his father Dasharatha made to one of his queens, Kaikeyi.

Long long ago, in India, there lived a king whose name was Dasharatha. He ruled the kingdom of Koshal (part of present day Uttar Pradesh) from its capital Ayodhya. He was loved by one and all because he cared for the happiness and prosperity of his subjects. 

Dasharatha had three queens, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. Even though Dasharatha had everything to make him happy he was very sad at heart because had no children.
He was getting old, and was worried for not having an heir to inherit his throne. Upon the advice of his guru (spiritual guide) Vashishtha, Dasharatha performed a great sacrificial fire worship. On the final day of worship, a figure appeared in the huge flame with a bowl of rice pudding. The figure intoned, "Take this rice pudding and divide this amongst your wives. They will give you the sons you desire." Then it disappeared.

Dasharatha took the bowl to his first wife, Kaushalya, and gave her half of the pudding. Out of what was left, he divided that to his second wife Kaikeyi and the third wife Sumitra. When a little bit of pudding was still in the bowl, he gave that to Sumitra saying "Here, finish it up."

Kaushalya duly gave birth to a son, Rama. Kaikeyi was next, with a son Bharat. Sumitra was the last. She had been given two helpings, so she had twin boys, Lakshmana and Shatrughan.

As the boys grew older, Lakshmana got attached to his eldest brother, Rama, and Shatrughan to Bharat. All the brothers, however, were very close and loved each other. Rama was respected by all because of his good nature and truthful character. He was strong, handsome and was the heir to the throne.

When the boys were close to sixteen, it was one day, sage Vishwamitra arrived in the court of Dasharatha. Vishwamitra requested Dasharatha to send Rama and Lakshmana with him to the forest to kill the demons who disturbed him in his prayers. Rama and Lakshmana accompanied the sage and killed the she-demon Tadaka and her followers. 

Vishwamitra was pleased and taught Rama the sacred verses to call for the divine weapons to be used to protect justice.
After completing the task, Rama was ready to return home when Vishwamitra asked Rama to accompany him to the kingdom of Janak. Janak's eldest daughter, Sita, was about to pick a husband from the princes assembled in the swayambara (a gathering arranged for choosing a royal husband).

Almost every prince present in the assembly wanted to marry Sita as she was the most beautiful girl on earth. To choose the best of the princes in the gathering, a condition was laid. Sita will marry the prince who will be able to bend and string a very heavy bow left in the front of the assembly.

One after another all princes tried to lift the bow, but it could not be lifted, let alone bend and string. It weighed like a mountain. Finally Janak was about to give up when Vishwamitra asked Rama to try. Rama took his blessing, prayed, and lifted the bow at ease. When he tried to string the bow it snapped in two.

Rama proved to be the strongest prince in the assembly. Sita happily garlanded him. Dasharatha was informed and he requested Janak to let the three sisters of Sita marry his other three sons - Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan. Janak was overwhelmed with the unexpected offer from Dasharatha. He immediately made all arrangements and all the four brothers got married together in front of the sacrificial fire.

Dasharatha then decided to retire making Rama the crown king of Koshal. But things did not go according to Dashratha's plan.

When the day of coronation of Rama was announced Bharat and Shatrughan were at their maternal uncle's place. The city started to prepare for the occasion and the queens were happy for the oncoming event. At this time, Dasharatha's second wife Kaikeyi got an ill advice from her scheming, hunchback maid Manthara.

Manthara said to Kaikeyi, "Why are you happy in celebrating Rama's coronation? Don't you realize that you will not be as respected as Kaushalya and Bharat will be totally ignored."

"What nonsense you talk," said Kaikeyi, "I love Rama and he is the heir."

"Not if you change things" said Manthara in a devilish voice.

"But, how can I?"

"Easily," said the scheming maid, "Remember, a very long ago, you saved Dasharatha's life during a war, and he said he would grant you any two wishes."

"Yes, and I said I would ask for my wishes later, when I knew what I wanted," said Kaikeyi.

"Exactly" shouted Manthara "Ask for them now. Ask for Bharat to be crowned king and for Rama to be banished to the forest for fourteen years."

Kaikeyi fell a prey to the conspiracy of Manthara. When Dasharatha came to accompany her to the coronation ceremony, she was lying on the floor, sobbing.

When Dasharatha repeatedly asked the queen about the thing that was bothering her, Kakeyi replied, "Do you recall the promise you made, when I saved your life in the battle field, to fulfill two of my wishes?"

"Yes my queen" said Dasharatha, "I remember that and I will not break my promise. Ask for what you desire!"

Kakeyi sternly said, "Crown Bharat king and banish Rama to the forest for fourteen years."

King Dasharatha was stunned into silence. He or his ancestors had never broken a promise. What could he do now? His happiness and his future had all been stolen from him instantly.

Dasharatha some how whispered to his attendant, "Go and get Rama."

When Rama arrived, his father was far too unhappy to speak. It was Kaikeyi who spoke, 

"Bharat is to be king and you are to be banished for fourteen years."


"Is this what my dear father desires?" asked Rama.

"Your father is keeping his two promises to me." Kaikeyi answered.

"Then I have no choice, I must honor my father's word. If promises are made, they must be kept. Let Bharat rule. I leave for the exile immediately."

Sita and Lakshman insisted to accompany Ram.
Dasharata died shortly following Rama's departure.

When Bharat came to know about this he got furious with his mother and Shatrughan kicked Manthara out of the house. Then Bharat went after Rama in order to request him to come back and rule the kingdom. Rama very humbly refused as he did not want his father's promises to be broken. Bharat returned to Ayodhya with Rama's sandals and ruled the kingdom as an appointee of Rama. Even in the palace he chose to lead the life of a hermit like his elder brother Rama.

During the exile, Sita was abducted by the demon king Ravana. Rama hunt out Ravana with the help of the monkey king Sugreeva and his commander Hanuman. A fierce battle ensued and Ravana was finally defeated. Rama triumphantly returned to Ayodhya with Sita after fourteen years' of exile. We celebrate Diwali in memory of Rama's return to Ayodhya.

Rama is considered by all Indians as an ideal son who willingly undertook hardship in order to save his father's honor. He was also a great warrior and an emblem of justice.

source : http://www.indolink.com/kidz/rama.htm

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KRISHNA JANMASTAMI

       Krishna Janamastami

The festival of Krishna Janamastami is the celebration of Lord Krishna's birthday. Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is an unique character in Hindu mythology. He was naughty in his childhood days, romantic as a young man, and proved to be a profound philosopher in his adulthood as illustrated by the Bhagwat Geeta.


The birthday of Krishna falls on the Astami of Krishna Paksh (the eighth day of the dark fortnight) in the month of Bhado (July-August), eight days after Raksha Bandhan. The exact date of Krishna's birthday has not been determined but is conjectured to be around 1400 B.C. when the Aryans got settled across the Indo-Gangetic plain. It was the rainy season in India and Krishna was born at midnight, in the prison of Kamsa, during the middle of a perilous rain and storm. Thus goes the story of Krishna's birth.

Kamsa, a despot, was then the king of Mathura. He had imprisoned his father in order to become the king. Devaki was his sister and was married to a noble man Vasudeva.

Kamsa one day heard a heavenly voice, saying, "Kamsa, your days of tyranny will soon be over, you will be killed by the eighth child of Devaki."

Kamsa got frightened. He immediately imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva. He did not want to take any chance and killed at birth each and every child of Devaki, until the time came for the delivery of the eighth child. To feel more secured, Kamsa increased the number of prison guards, kept strict vigilance and put Vasudeva in chains. But God planned otherwise.

At midnight when the eighth child was born, the guards fell fast asleep and Vasudeva's chain fell off his hands and feet. Wasting no time, Vasudeva picked up the newborn baby, and carrying it in a basket, he started towards Gokul. Gokul was a village of cowherds, located across the Yamuna river, where his friend Nanda lived.

It was a dark stormy night with blinding rain continuously pouring from the sky. When Vasudeva reached the river bank of Yamuna, the river was in spate. The wind and storm were blowing wild, and Vasudeva was in a fix.

"Lord, what should I do," said Vasudeva in a hopeless voice.

Suddenly a miracle happened, the river parted and Vasudeva walked over the river bed. Throughout the way Vasudeva and the baby were protected from rain by the hood of the great eternal snake, Vasuki. Finally, Vasudeva reached Nanda's house.

Upon reaching Nanda's house Vasudeva found the mother, Yashoda, and her newborn baby girl in deep sleep. He had no time to think. He quickly exchanged the babies and returned to the prison with the infant girl, while the guards were still asleep.

As soon as Vasudeva entered the prison cell, the door got locked behind him and he was chained again as if nothing happened in between. The guards woke up and heard the cry of the baby. Kamsa was immediately informed and he came running to kill the child. But to his utter surprise he found it to be a girl and not a boy, as he expected. Devaki begged for the newborn baby's life from her brother.

"What can a girl do to you Kamsa? Spare her life, please!" appealed Devaki, lying at the feet of her brother.

The inhuman Kamsa did not pay attention to the appeal. As he was ready to kill the baby by smashing its head on a big boulder, the child slipped out of his hand and flew towards the sky.

At that moment, a heavenly voice was heard, "Kamsa, the one who shall destroy you still lives. He is growing in Gokul."

Next morning, Nanda and his wife Yashoda discovered the boy, left by Vasudeva, lying in the crib. They were a little puzzled but did not want to fuss about it because they might loose the baby. The baby was of dark complexion, so he was named Krishna.

Kamsa was frightened by the heavenly voice. He immediately sent for Putna, his wicked maid, and asked her to kill all the babies born on the same day when Devaki gave birth to the baby. Putna smeared poison on her breast and went around in the town of Gokul to breast-feed the babies born in the month of Bhado. In the beginning people, out of their goodness, did not suspect Putna's heinous plans, but as time passed, they found out that all the babies whom Putna fondled were dead. They began to search for Putna. In the mean time Putna reached Nanda's house and lovingly asked Krishna's mother, Yashoda, to give the baby to her to love and fondle. Yashoda gave the baby and, without any suspicion, went on with her daily chore.

Suddenly there was a loud shriek. Everyone came running to the courtyard and found to their surprise the dead body of Putna lying on the floor while Krishna was smiling and kicking. People now knew that Krishna was not an ordinary boy. Yashoda happily picked up Krishna and felt safe.

Krishna grew in Yashoda's house until he reached his teens. He later challenged Kamsa and killed him. Then he released his grandfather Ugrasena and reinstated him to his thrown. He respected and loved both his own parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, and his adopted parents, Nanda and Yashoda.

Janamashtami is celebrated with great pomp and show in Hindu temples and homes in India and the USA. The festival is celebrated for two days; on the day when Krishna took birth in the prison of Kamsa at Mathura and also on the following day to commemorate Krishna's presence in the house of Nanda and Yashoda at Gokul. Ardent devotees pray at the middle of the night celebrating Krishna's birth on the first day. Children join the celebration on the next day with worships (puja) and sweets (prasad). Decorations depicting Krishna's birth and his transfer to Gokul, are displayed very much the way Christ's birth is displayed during Christmas. This is called jhanki, a peek in the past. In Bengal, it is called, Gupta Vrindavan, meaning hidden Vrindavan, where Krishna spent time with his consort Radha. It is a great fun planning and executing the decoration that depicts Krishna's life in Gokul. The display is left for few days for friends and relatives to enjoy. The grandparents (or other elders) narrate to the children the interesting stories of Krishna, his pranks of childhood, romance with Radha in his young days, and finally, his days of kingship offering us the eternal truth of the greatBhagavad Gita. There is nothing in the world that can be compared with the profound philosophy of Gita written in that hoary past.

source : http://www.indolink.com/kidz/krishna.htm

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BREAKING THE VANITY OF GODS

     BREAKING THE VANITY OF GODS


Conveying a message through stories and examples, is an age-old effective way of communication. The story you are about to hear was narrated by an unnamed Rishi (sage), to his disciples, that brings home the basic concept of one god, the Brahman. Other gods and goddesses are his manifestations facilitating the operation of this universe that He created. The moral derived from this story is the fact that our righteous acts need to be well guarded against the evils which constantly try to take over.


Long long ago, the tyranny of the Ashuras, the evil people, made this earth uninhabitable. The gods, or Devas, were defeated by the Ashuras and they were banished. The gods approached the all powerful Brahman, the creator of the universe and source of energy for all beings, to help them defeat the Ashuras and bring peace back to the earth. Brahman blessed them and asked them to pursue and fight even harder. The Ashuras were then finally defeated and they fled underground, preying on the opportune moment to rise above again.


The Gods began to celebrate their victory over the Ashuras and became boastful of their power forgetting that it came from the one and only source, the Brahman. In fact they forgot their duties and became engaged in drinking, merry making and licentious behavior. So, to give a lesson, Brahman sent a Yaksha (demigod) to the place where the gods gathered for their celebration party. Indra, the king of the gods and the god of weather, saw the Yaksha approaching them. He asked Agni, the god of fire to inquire who he was.

Agni came near the Yaksha and introduced himself as the powerful god capable of burning off anything that touches him.

The Yaksha said with false surprise, "Is that right?" Then he picked up a small dry grass and said, "Can you burn this?"


Agni, drowned in his ego, laughed, "Ha! Ha! Ha! You must be kidding!"

Yaksha calmly replied, "Why don't you try it?"

Agni took the grass in his hand and tried to burn it. But strangely enough, he could do nothing. He soon returned to the party without telling any one what happened. He couldn't help but wonder, "Who is he?"
After a while, Indra asked the wind god Pavan to go to the Yaksha and find out the reason of his visit.

When Pavan approached the Yaksha, the Yaksha asked him, "Who are you?"

"I am Pavan, the wind god" he said. "I can blow every thing away when I want to."

"Really!" said the Yaksha and gave him the small blade of grass to blow away. "Could you blow away this blade of grass?"

Pavan could not even believe that any one would challenge his power with a blade of dry grass. He callously put the grass on his palm and blew on it. To his utter shock, it stayed exactly as he had placed it on his palm and had not moved. He tried repeatedly to blow it away and finally gave up. Ashamed of his inability to stir a small blade of grass, he sneaked away.

Then Indra came himself. As he approached the Yaksha, it disappeared and there stood a woman. She was none else than Indra's conscience (self acquired knowledge), called Uma.

"Did you see the Yaksha standing here?" asked Indra.

Uma said, "Indra, being the king of the gods you could not recognize the messenger of Brahman, the Yaksha? The Yaksha carried the message that Brahman is the one and only source of power and none else. He taught to be humble and to stay away from the ego that destroys you. You have had enough celebration for your victory over the Ashuras, and now return to the duties entrusted upon you by Brahman."

The gods were ashamed of their foolish behavior. They returned to their senses and peace once again was restored on earth.
source : http://www.indolink.com/kidz/vanity.htm

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THE SUPREME KNOWLEDGE OF BRAHMAN

            THE SUPREME KNOWLEDGE OF BRAHMAN

                            ( A story from Chhandogya Upanishad )


Many years ago, in India, there lived a king named Janashruti (widely known). He ruled over the kingdom of Mahabrisha (meaning the big bull). He was a benevolent and generous ruler. He built rest houses for travelers along the roadside, distributed free food to the poor and needy, built hospitals for the sick and old and he taxed his subjects fairly. Quite naturally Janashruti was pleased with himself for having done so much for his kingdom. Unfortunately it did not take long for him to turn into a vain man.

One evening while he was relaxing on the terrace of his palace he saw two swans flying over him and conversing.

"Be careful while passing over the King Janashruti" one of them said. "The glow of his fame may burn you to ashes."

"You must be joking" replied the partner, "As if King Janashruti is greater than the humble cart-man Raikva!"

The king understood their conversation and became thoughtful.

"Who is this Raikva?" The king pondered. "How could he earn more merit than me?"

King Janashruti felt restless and could not sleep for the rest of the night.

The following morning, when the elaborate ritual of waking up royalty began, the king got irritated.

"Stop all these adulations and empty praises for me. I am not worthy of it."

The king's attendants were puzzled,

"What happened Maharaj?" asked the bard.

The king told the bard about the swan's conversation he had overheard.

"Now go and seek out Raikva," the King ordered, "He is the most pious of all men."

A massive search was soon launched to locate Raikva. Many days had passed and finally they were told by a peasant that Raikva was a cart-man in their village. All the kings men then saw Raikva, a poor cart driver, sitting on the ground and engaged in his own thought.

"Our king wishes to meet you" said an attendant.

"Well, here I am," said Raikva without budging from his place. "The king can come here if he wants to see me."

The attendants were surprised. "What does our worthy king seek from this ordinary man?"

The king was pleased to hear that Raikva was finally found. He ordered to make preparations to leave for Raikva's village the next morning.

King Janashruti took with him an army of men with impressive presents of 600 cows, an expensive gold necklace and a chariot for Raikva.

Upon arriving at the village, King Janashruti introduced himself and said, "I have heard a great deal about you. I am told that you are one of the rarest person who has the personal experience of Brahman, the supreme Lord."

"Oh Raikva" the king continued, "I will give you all that you desire, and in return I ask that you impart me the supreme knowledge of Brahman."

Raikva smiled. "So you want to buy the divine knowledge!"

Then he scolded the king, "Oh ignorant king! The knowledge of Brahman cannot be purchased. It is not a commodity that can be bartered. You are not yet ready to receive the supreme knowledge. Go home."

The disappointed king returned to his palace. He became withdrawn, drowned in his sadness , always wondering, "What do I lack?"

His sadness and sincere anxiety to know Brahman, made him humble. His ego disappeared and King Janashruti became a different person in just a few weeks. He then decided to go to Raikva once again.

Upon reaching the village, the king could not help himself. He fell at the feet of Raikva begging to impart him the knowledge of Brahman.

"Enlighten me" the king cried out "I have no peace. Your knowledge has more richness than my entire kingdom. Please give me a part of it. I beg you with all my sincerity."

This time Raikva saw that the king had lost all his vanity and the genuine desire for knowledge was evident. He picked up the king and said, "I bless you, O virtuous Janashruti. All the knowledge that is mine will now be yours as well."

Raikva then drew the king close to him and spoke at length, "The supreme knowledge cannot be imbibed unless one has shed one's ego. Only the humble can perceive the Brahman. Now that you attained the humility, come with me and I will share wit h you whatever little I have about the knowledge of our creator."

So saying Raikva accepted Janashruti as his disciple. The king could realize that Raikva was materialistically poor but spiritually rich. As time passed by, Janashruti received the gospels of Raikva and dedicated his job of royalty as a service to Brahman without taking the credit of his personal achievements.

source : http://www.indolink.com/kidz/knowledge.htm

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THE BOLD BEGGAR

                                          THE BOLD BEGGAR                          

                       A story from Chhandogya Upanishad

Once there were two sages (rishis) who lived in a hermitage located in a forest. They spent most of their time worshipping Vayu, the wind god.


One afternoon, as the sages were beginning their meal, a Brahmachari (an unmarried monk) beggar arrived holding his begging bowl.

The Brahmachari pleaded to the sages, "Pardon me respectful sages, could I beg for a part of your excess meal?"
"Sorry young man, we cannot spare you any food," sourly replied one of the sages.
The persistent young monk continued, "May I ask you most humbly, which Deva (God) do you worship?"

"We worship Vayu, the wind god" answered the sage with pride. "He is also know as Prana, the breath of life."


"Ah! Then you must know that Prana pervades the whole universe" said the young Brahmachari.

The sages were getting impatient, "Yes, yes, we know all that young man."

The beggar than asked firmly, "Oh honorable sages, could you tell me to whom did you make this food-offering?"

"Prana, the life, who else?" said the irritated sage.

The young monk smiled and retorted, "If life pervades the universe, it pervades me too. Am I not a part of that universe?"

"Yes, that's right" replied the sage, in a puzzled state of mind.

"It is Prana, or life, that pulsates in me, as this hungry body of mine stands before you and speaks," appealed the beggar.

The sages were trapped in the argument and admitted, "You speak the truth."

The beggar then made his final appeal, "Then Oh revered rishis (sages), in denying me food, you are denying Prana for whom you have prepared the food."

The rishis had no answer. They realized that merely the reading of scriptures can not assure them of their assimilation and true understanding. Ashamed at their ignorance, the sages gladly shared their food with the young Brahmachari.

source : http://www.indolink.com/kidz/mythology.html

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PARABLE

Parable

There was a woman, who lost her needle in the house. She was too poor to afford a light in her house, so she went out of the house and was searching in the streets. Somebody asked her what she was
searching for in the streets. She said that she was searching for her needle.
The gentleman asked, “Where did you lose the needle?”
She said, “In the house.”
He said,” “How unreasonable it is to search in the street for a
thing which was lost in the house!”
She said that she could not afford a lamp in the house and
there was a lantern in the street. She could not search in
the house; she had to do something, so she searched in the
street.
This is exactly the way with people. You have the Ocean of
happiness within you, the paradise; the home of bliss within
you; and yet you are searching for pleasure in the objects, in
the streets, searching for that thing outside, in the objects of the senses. How strange!
MORAL: Searching for pleasure in the worldly objects is vain. The Home of Bliss is within you.
Likhita Japa constitutes an important part of spiritual
sadhana. The groove of our Guru Mantra is etched more deeply
in our minds with repetition and one-pointed concentration.
The benefits of Mantra-writing or Likhita Japa cannot be
adequately described. Besides bringing about purity of heart and
concentration of mind, mantra-writing gives you control of Asana
(posture), control of senses, particularly the sight and the tongue,
and fills you with the power of endurance. You attain peace of
mind quickly. By prolonged and constant practice, the inherent
power of Mantra (Mantra-Sakti) will be awakened, which will fill
your very existence with the Divinity of the Mantra. In Mantrawriting,
there is no restriction to language. One can write the
Divine Name in any language.
“Write down daily in a notebook your Ishta Mantra or Guru
Mantra for half an hour. When you write the Mantra, observe Mouna or
Silence. Write the Mantra clearly in ink. On Sundays and Holidays, write
this for one hour. This is Likhita Japa. It brings about purity of heart,
concentration of mind, control of asana, control of senses and power of
endurance.”
‐Swami Sivananda

Source: Parables by Swami Rama Tirtha

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ARUNI AND UPMANYU

                  ARUNI AND UPMANYU

Devoted Aruni

Rishi Dhoumya was surprised

Aruni obstruct waterflow

DHAUMYA TESTS UPAMANYU AND ARUNI

The sage Dhaumya of Mahabharata fame was the high priest of the Pandavas. He had a big ashram
and many disciples. Many children were sent there to study. Regular classes were held and most of the
children were asked to attend. But there were two  who were entrusted with other jobs and did not
attend the classes. These were Upamanyu who was given the charge of the cows and Aruni who
looked after the cultivation. The other boys made fun at their apparent dull-headedness, thinking that
they were unfit for study, but those two boys were happy and satisfied with their work. They were
surrendered to their Guru’s will.

Years passed and still these two boys discharged their duties faithfully. The other boys continued to make fun of them. Dhaumya was aware of the situation and decided to show their greatness to the rest of the ashramites. He called Upamanyu one day and questioned him, “Upamanyu, what do you eat that you are growing so fat?” “Sir, I eat only what the ashram Mother gives me,” replied the boy. “Well then, do not eat anything from the ashram hereafter,” said the Guru. A week passed when the master called the disciple again. “One week has passed and you still have not lost any weight. What do you eat now-adays?” asked Dhaumya. “Swami, when I am very hungry I go out and beg for my food,” replied Upamanyu. “Don’t you know that you are supposed to give such food to the Guru? Henceforth, bring it here to me.” But Dhaumya would not give any of the begged food to  the boy to eat. After some days the Guru called the boy again. “Now what are you eating?” The boy replied, “When I am very hungry I drink a little milk from the cows.” “Don’t do that in future,” said the Guru. Another week passed and the Guru called the boy. “You are still looking healthy. What are you eating now-a-days?” “Sir, after the calves have finished drinking the cow’s milk, there will be froth on their mouth. I lick up that froth and thus satisfy my hunger,” replied the boy. “Do not do that hereafter,” told Dhaumya.

The poor Upamanyu could not find anything to eat in the forest. His hunger also became unbearable. He therefore drank the milk of a poisonous tree but this resulted in his losing his sight. One evening while bringing in the cows, the blind boy fell into a dry well. The cows reached the ashram without him. Seeing him missing, the Guru went out in search of him calling, “Upamanyu, where are you?” Upamanyu was thrilled to hear his master’s voice. “Master, here I am. I cannot see anything but I can hear your voice.” “Son, meditate on the twin gods Aswini Kumaras and you will become all right,” told the Guru. Upamanyu did as he was told and immediately the Aswins appeared and restored his sight. He came out of the well and prostrated at his Master’s feet. Dhaumya’s heart overflowed with affection for his obedient disciple and he said, “May your knowledge be perfect in all the Scriptures.” In this way, Upamanyu became a learned scholar without even attending a class. He is an example of implicit faith in the Guru.

Now what about Aruni? Dhaumya once went out to inspect the fields and told Aruni that the water in the fields should not be allowed to escape at any cost. A few days later there was a heavy rain and the bund around the field started to give way. Try as he may, Aruni could not stop the water from flowing out. Finally, in desperation, he laid his body down in the mud where the bund was weak and in this way he plugged up the leak. The next morning the Guru and his disciples went out into the fields to search for the missing boy, calling his name out loud. Finding him buried in the mud, the Guru pulled him out and hugged him affectionately. “May all the Scriptures come to you at your beck and call,” was the blessing that the Guru gave Aruni while holding his hand on the boy’s head. It was this Aruni who later became the famous Upanishadic sage Uddalaka

source: http://www.spiritualbangalore.com/knowledge-center/short-stories/dhaumya-tests-upamanyu-and-aruni/

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AMBARISH AND DURVASA

             AMBARISH   AND   DURVASA

Ambarish and Durvasa

Durvasa cursing Ambarish

Sudarshan Chakra chasing Durvasa

King Ambarish was an atmanivedi - a humble servant of the Lord. Both he and his queen were performing great austerities. For twelve months they had fasted on every ekadashi, not even drinking water. Their fast would end on Kartik sud 12. On the morning of the twelfth, Sage Durvasa and one hundred of his disciples arrived at King Ambarish's palace. Ambarish was overjoyed. He fell at their feet and welcomed them. He said, ''Today my ekadashi fast ends, and on this day you have also graced my palace. Indeed, I am very fortunate! Please dine here today.'' Durvasa replied, ''We'll first go to the river for a bath and then return.''

Durvasa and his disciples went to the river. There is a saying, ''Buffaloes, Brahmins and spinnach, have only to see water to be delighted!'' And so Durvasa and his disciples bathed for a long time. But the sacred time for ending the fast was near. The king's Brahmins advised him, ''The muhurt is passing. It is best you eat and so end the fast.'' Ambarish said, ''I shall eat when Durvasa returns.'' The Brahmins replied, ''But it is getting late. Only a few moments are left now. If you eat afterwards you will not receive the fruits of your fast.'' Ambarish was troubled. But Brahmins are very clever.

They found an easy answer. They said, ''Eat a sanctified tulsi leaf. In this way it can be said you have ended your fast, and yet it can also be said that you haven't eaten a meal!'' On the Brahmins' advice Ambarish placed a tulsi leaf in his mouth. Just then Durvasa and his disciples arrived. They discovered that Ambarish had completed his fast in their absence. Durvasa never needs to search for anger.

It's always with him as his constant companion. He shouted. ''Ambarish, you are known as a great devotee, yet you have no idea of how to treat your guests! Why did you eat alone without us!'' Ambarish touched Durvasa's feet in apology. He said, ''Only to safeguard the muhurt have I placed a leaf of tulsi in my mouth. The banquet is ready. Come, let us dine together.''

But would Durvasa listen? No! He was the very incarnation of anger. Cursing Ambarish he cried, ''You shall have to suffer the fruits of insulting me.'' Saying this he plucked a hair from his head and transformed it into a demonness. He commanded her to beat Ambarish. Now, Ambarish was truly a great devotee of the Lord. He stood with hands joined in humility. The Lord placed his special weapon the Sudarshan Chakra - in Ambarish's protection. The Sudarshan Chakra began to spin. Its bright light burnt the demonness to ashes. It then moved towards Durvasa to burn him as well. Durvasa saw this. He became frightened and shouting ''traahi tobaa'', clenched his fists and began to run for his dear life. The Chakra chased him everywhere.

Screaming ''Paahi maam! Paahi maam!'' Durvasa went to Lord Shiva and asked that he be saved from the Sudarshan Chakra. Shiva replied, ''I cannot turn the Chakra back. It belongs to Lord Vishnu. Go to him.'' For a whole year Durvasa ran. He finally went to Lord Vishnu crying. ''Paahi maam! Paahi maam! Save me! Save me!'' He begged, ''Lord, I cannot suffer the light from your Sudarshan Chakra anymore. I'm burning. Please call the Chakra off.'' God said, ''Durvasa, once my Chakra has been thrown at a person it never returns without killing him. I have no solution.'' Durvasa began to weep.

God said to him, ''No good will be done by weeping. But yes, there is one way of saving yourself.'' ''Lord! Quick tell me.'' ''But will you be able to do it?'' ''Lord, if my life can be saved anything and everything will be done!'' said Durvasa, in a humble voice. God explained to Durvasa, ''You have insulted my devotee, Ambarish. Humbly go to him and fall at his feet. If he forgives you then the Chakra will return to Me.'' In a time of great need we may even address a donkey as 'father!' To live, Durvasa had no other option. And so after a year of battering, Durvasa went to Ambarish. From the moment Durvasa had run away, with the Chakra chasing him King Ambarish had remained standing at the place he had been insulted. He had not eaten or drunk anything. ''Paahi maam! Paahi maam!'' cried Durvasa.

He fell at King Ambarish's feet. Ambarish pulled his feet away and raised Durvasa. He said, ''King of Sages, your falling at my feet is not right.'' Durvasa replied, ''Ambarish, you are a true devotee of the Lord. I have insulted you. Please forgive me. Save me from the Sudarshan Chakra.'' King Ambarish prayed to the Sudarshan Chakra and said, ''If the love and respect I have for Durvasa at this moment are the same as they were when he first came to my palace, then, Oh Sudarshan Chakra! Please return to the Lord.'' The Sudarshan Chakra returned to Lord Vishnu at once.

Durvasa was tremendously relieved. Then both he and Ambarish together went to the banquet hall. The Lord cannot tolerate an insult thrown upon a great devotee of His. So never take fault with any devotee. Being humble before such a devotee pleases the Lord.

source : http://www.swaminarayan.org/yogijimaharaj/talesofwisdom/36.htm

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BIRTH STORY OF LORD GANESHA

          BIRTH STORY OF LORD GANESH

Decapitated and reanimated by Shiva

Once, while Goddess Parvati wanted to take a bath, there were no attendants around to guard her and stop anyone from accidentally entering the house. Hence she created an image of a boy out of paste which she prepared to cleanse her body, and infused life into it, and thus Ganesha was born. Parvati ordered Ganesha not to allow anyone to enter the house, and Ganesha obediently followed his mother's orders. After a while Shiva returned from outside, and as he tried to enter the house, Ganesha stopped him. Shiva was furious at this strange little boy who dared to challenge him. He told Ganesha that he was Parvati's husband, and demanded that Ganesha let him go in. But Ganesha refused to hear him. Shiva lost his patience and had a fierce battle with Ganesha. At last he severed Ganesha's head with his Trishula. When Parvati came out and saw her son's lifeless body, she was very angry and sad. She demanded that Shiva restore Ganesha's life at once.

Unfortunately, Shiva's Trishula was so powerful that it had hurled Ganesha's head very far off. All attempts to find the head were in vain. As a last resort, Shiva approached Brahma who suggested that he replace Ganesha's head with the first living being that came his way which lay with its head facing north. Shiva then sent his disciples to find and take the head of whatever creature they happened to find asleep with its head facing north. They found a dying elephant which slept in this manner, and after its death took its head, attaching the elephant's head to Ganesha's body and bringing him back to life. From then on, he was called Ganapati, or head of the celestial armies, and was to be worshipped by everyone before beginning any activity.
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Shiva and Gajasura

Once there existed an demon (Asura) with all the characteristics of an elephant, called Gajasura, who was undergoing a penitence (or tapas). Shiva, pleased by him, decided to grant him, as a reward, whatever gift he desired. The demon wished that he could emanate fire continually from his own body so that no one could ever dare to approach him. The Lord granted him his request. Gajasura continued his penitence and Shiva, who appeared in front of him from time to time, asked him once again what he desired. The demon responded: "I desire that You inhabit my stomach."

Lord Vishnu

Shiva granted even this request and he took up residence in the demon's stomach. In fact, Shiva is also known as Bhola Shankara because he is a deity easily propitiated; when he is satisfied with a devotee he grants him whatever he desires, and this, from time to time, generates particularly intricate situations. It was for this reason that Parvati, his wife, sought him everywhere without results. As a last recourse, she went to her brother Vishnu, asking him to find her husband. He, who knows everything, reassured her: "Don't worry, dyour husband is Bhola Shankara and promptly grants to his devotees whatever they ask of him, without regard for the consequences; for this reason, I think he has gotten himself into some trouble. I will find out what has happened."

Then Vishnu, the omniscient director of the cosmic game, staged a small play. He transformed Nandi (the bull of Shiva) into a dancing bull and conducted him in front of Gajasura, assuming, at the same time, the appearance of a flutist. The enchanting performance of the bull sent the demon into ecstasies, and he asked the flutist to tell him what he desired. The musical Vishnua responded: "Can you give me that which I ask?" Gajasura replied: "Who do you take me for? I can immediately give you whatever you ask." The flutist then said: "If that's so, liberate Shiva from your stomach." Gajasura understood then that this must have been no other than Vishnu himself, the only one who could have known that secret and he threw himself at his feet. Having liberated Shiva, he asked him for one last gift: "I have been blessed by you with many gifts; my last request is that everyone remember me adoring my head when I am dead." Shiva then brought his own son there and substitued his head with that of Gajasura. From then on, in India, the tradition is that any action, in order to prosper, must begin with the adoration of Ganesha. This is the result of the gift of Shiva to Gajasura.

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The gaze of Shani

Lord Shani

On the insistence of Shiva, Parvati fasted for a year to propitiate Vishnu so that he would grant her a son. Lord Vishnu, after the completion of the sacrifice, announced that he would incarnate himself as her son in every kalpa (eon). Accordingly, Krishna was born to Parvati as a charming infant. This event was celebrated with great enthusiasm and all the gods were invited to take a look at the baby. However Shani (Saturn), the son of Surya, hesitated to look at the baby since Shani was cursed with the gaze of destruction. However Parvati insisted that he look at the baby, which Shani did, and immediately the infant's head fell off and flew to Goloka. Seeing Shiva and Parvati grief stricken, Vishnu mounted on Garuda, his divine eagle, and rushed to the banks of the Pushpa-Bhadra river, from where he brought back the head of a young elephant. The head of the elephant was joined with the headless body of Parvati's son, thus reviving him. The infant was named Ganesha and all the Gods blessed Ganesha and wished Him power and prosperity.

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Other versions

Another tale of Ganesha's birth relates to an incident in which Shiva slew Aditya, the son of a sage. Shiva restored life to the dead boy, but this could not pacify the outraged sage Kashyapa, who was one of the seven great Rishis. Kashyap cursed Shiva and declared that Shiva's son would lose his head. When this happened, the head of Indra's elephant was used to replace it.

Still another tale states that on one occasion, Parvati's used bath-water was thrown into the Ganges, and this water was drunk by the elephant-headed Goddess Malini, who gave birth to a baby with four arms and five elephant heads. The river goddess Ganga claimed him as her son, but Shiva declared him to be Parvati's son, reduced his five heads to one and enthroned him as the Controller of obstacles (Vigneshwara).

source : http://www.ashtavinayak.net/ganeshabirth.php

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STORY ON SAGE ATREYA

Sage Atreya


Atreya is a descendent of Sage Atri. He had done many yagnas and was able to go to any place he liked.  One day in course of his wanderings he came to the court of Indra which fascinated him by its beauty and festivities.  He thought that no other place could be more pleasant and he wanted it with all his heart.  His modest hut could not please him any more.  He called his wife and told, ‘What sort of rubbish are you giving me to eat?  Does it taste good?  Your fruits and vegetables cannot come anywhere near the sweetmeats I ate at Indra’s court’.  So saying he called Viswakarma and asked him to make his hermitage like Indra’s palace.  If you do not do as I tell I shall reduce you to ashes by curse.  The buildings, the court, the gardens, the elephant, the horse, the chandelier, the music, the food, the courtiers – all these must be as they are in Indra’s palace.
Afraid of the curse, Viswakarma forthwith built a palace which could rival Indra’s palace. Much pleased the muni said, ‘This is the very thing I wanted’.  After some time however the demons began to frown at the place and said, ‘Look, that fellow Indra has surreptitiously left the heaven and built up a home on earth.  Let us go and give him a good thrashing for killing our Vritra’.  Shouting, ‘Kill Indra! Kill Indra!’ the demons in a body laid that palace under siege.  The muni was happily reclining on his bed.  But when he heard the shouts of the demons he became mortally afraid.  Within minutes using all kinds of weapons the demons reduced the place to a heap of rubbles.  The muni himself did not escape some minor injuries.  He came out trembling and going to the demons he told them with folded hands, ‘I swear, I am not Indra, I am a muni, a Brahmin and a very poor and innocent man. Why are you so angry with me?’  ‘Then why have you been posing like Indra?  Remove your trappings at once’, said the demons.  ‘At once I am doing as you say.  I must have lost my head and did these foolish things.  I shall never do it again.’  Viswakarma was summoned and was told by the muni to replace the palace with his modest ashram.  He told him, ‘Do it soon, or I shall die at the hands of these demons.’

Realizing that the muni was in grave danger Viswakarma readily obeyed and the huts and the forests reappeared where a short while ago a palace stood.  However, before he left Viswakarma enjoyed a hearty laugh at the predicament of the muni.

source : http://sagesofindia.wordpress.com

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BIRTH STORY OF HANUMAN

 Birth of Hanuman

The story of birth of Hanuman is related with the story of his mother Anjana. Lord Hanuman was born as the son of Anjana, a female monkey, and Kesari, a male monkey, in the Anjana Giri mountain. Earlier Anjana was an apsara in the court of Lord Brahma. She was cursed by a sage for disturbing his meditation. In her childhood she saw a monkey meditating in his legs folded, child Anjana with excitement threw fruits on the monkey. Suddenly the monkey was changed in form a sage who was disturbed from his tapasya by the act of Anjana. Furious sage cursed Anjana that she would become a monkey when she falls in love with anyone. Anjana begged for forgiveness and pleased sage consolidated her by saying that the man she had fallen love with will love her in spite of her monkey face and also she will be released from the curse when she give birth to a child who will be an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Thus Anjana take birth in the earth to get rid of the curse. Anjana lived in the forest, one day she saw a man and fall in love with him. The moment she fall in love she turned to a monkey. The man came to her and introduced himself as Kesari, king of monkeys. Anjana looked at him and surprised that he was a monkey faced human who has the power to change himself as monkey and human. He asked Anjana to marry him. Anjana and Kesari were married in the forests. Anjana performed deep tapasya worshiping Lord Shiva. Pleased Shiva asked her wish. Anjana said she wanted Shiva as her son in order to get rid of her curse from the sage. Shiva accepted her request.

At the other side Dasaratha, King of Ayodhya, was also performing Putrakameshti Yajna for getting children. Pleased Agni Dev given the King sacred payasa and asked to share it among his wives to have divine children.  A part of the sacred pudding which the King given to his elder wife Kausalya was taken away by a kite. The Kite dropped the payasa (sweet pudding) where Anjana was performing her tapasya. Mahadeva commanded Vayu, the God of Wind, to place the pudding into the hands of Anjana. Anjana by seeing the payasa happily swallowed it. She felt the blessings of Lord Shiva when she had her pudding.

She then give birth to a monkey faced boy who is the incarnation of Lord Shiva and is came to be known in different names such as Anjaneya which means the son of Anjana, Kesari Nandana which means the son of Kesari, Vayu Puthra or Pawanputra Hanuman which means the son of Vayu, the God of Wind. In his childhood itself Hanuman was very powerful.  He got the powers of his father Kesari, the mother Apsara Anjana, he is as speed as Wind as he is the son of Lord Vayu. By the birth of Hanuman Anjana was released from the curse and returned to Heaven.

Hanuman was one among the Seven Chranjeevis and an ardent devotee of Lord Rama.  He had helped Lord Shri Ram to regain Sita from the hands of Ravana the King of Lanka. The story of Hanuman helps us to know about our inborn power that is resting in ourselves.

The Original Superhero: Lord Hanuman

We need Hanuman's help to get out of the tremendous mess that world is in. Lord Hanuman has the ability to perform the most unimaginable of tasks. He makes the impossible, possible. He is an extremely compassionate God, ready to respond to human suffering.

Hanuman wields considerable influence over all the planets, including Saturn. Pray to Hanuman and you will be spared the full onslaught of an angry planet as all 9 planets are deeply indebted to Hanuman.Plus offering prayers to Lord Hanuman indirectly gets the blessings of Lord Saturn himself.

Hanuman was born on a New Moon day under the Moola Nakshatra. This astrological configuration helps dissolve deep seated karmic afflictions. January 10th & 11th, 2013, IST is the Moola Star & New Moon day, which represents dissolution of karma in its seed form. Prayers to Lord Hanuman has the power to change your destiny and remove karma. His birthday is one of the most important days to directly receive his blessings.

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