SHIVA THIRD EYE STORY

Shiva Third Eye Story

Story of Shiva Third Eye. The synonym Trilochana of Hindu God Shiva is well-known. The Sanskrit word “trilochana” means one who has three eyes. The third eye of Lord Shiva is depicted in the middle of his forehead. Below is the story of Shiva’s third eye.

Once, Lord Shiva was sitting fully engaged in meditation. Goddess Parvati, his consort came there and playfully covered both his eyes with her hands. Immediately, the entire universe plunged into darkness. Chaos prevailed everywhere. Even the Gods of heaven were afraid. With his divine power, Siva created a third eye in the centre of his forehead. Fire emerged from his third eye and he restored light in the universe. The heat emitted by the fire of the third eye caused Parvati’s hands, that covered Siva’s left and right eyes, to perspire. The perspiration filled with the power of Siva and Sakti (Parvati) transformed into a child which was called Andhaka.

An Asura devotee of Mahadeva adopted Andhaka. He grew up without knowing his true origins. In his youth, he performed a great penance and obtained a boon that he would not be killed by anyone other than his father. On the strength of the boon, Andhaka set out to conquer the three worlds. Once, he happened to see Parvati and attracted by her beauty, he decided to make her his wife. He chased her and then Parvathi called aloud Parameshwara to save her. Shiva came to her rescue and impaled Andhaka on his trident. Andhaka realized the truth of his birth and apologized for his incestuous desires. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva constitute the Trimurti of Hindu pantheon. Brahma is in charge of creation, Vishnu in charge of protection and Siva in charge of destruction. Since the incident mentioned above, Siva’s third eye was kept for destruction.

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/09/shiva-third-eye-story.html

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STORY OF ARDHANARISVARA

Story of Ardhanarisvara

Ardhanarishvara is one of the many forms of Lord Shiva. The meaning of the name Ardhanarishvara is the male God whose half is woman. The names Umamahesvara and Sivasakti also denote the same meaning.

The story of Siva becoming Ardhanarishvara has many versions, both puranic and folk. Lord Brahma, who was in charge of creation among the three Murtis started creation. There was no sex difference among the things he created. Then he thought: “how can this further proceed? Those which I create should proceed themselves with further creation. And for the same, there should be both sexes among the created ones.”  Suddenly there appeared before his eyes, Siva whose right half was male and left half female. Inspired by the form of Siva, Brahma divided himself into two, right half male and left half female. From the right half further originated all male beings and from the left half all female beings.

Originally, Ardhanarishwara form of Siva was a single person. It was Brahmadeva who requested Shiva that Ardhanarishwara be divided into two to become God and Goddess. And so Mahadeva divided himself and let his Shakti, Uma, Parvati (his power) be apprehended separately.

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/08/story-of-ardhanarisvara.html

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STORY OF MARICHA GOLDEN DEER IN RAMAYANA

STORY OF MARICHA GOLDEN DEER IN RAMAYANA

Maricha, one of the characters in Ramayana, plays the most notable role in Ravana’s kidnapping of Sita. Once, demon Sunda (son of Jamba or Jharjha) attacked the hermitage of Agasthya Rishi. The angry sage burnt him by his meditative powers. On Sunda’s death, his wife Yaksha Thataka and his sons Mareecha and Subahu attacked Agastya. The sage cursed them to become demons.

Vishwamitra’s Yajna

Sage Vishwamitra was performing a sacrifice. He was tormented by Tataka and her sons. Visvamitra approached Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya, and requested him to send his eldest son, Rama to protect his sacrifice. Though with reluctance, Dasaratha sent 13-year old Rama and his younger brother Lakshmana with Visvamitra. Near the forest of Tataka, the demoness attacked them. Rama, aided by Lakshamana, slew her with his arrow. Vishvamitra reached his ashram and began his sacrifice. On the sixth day, Maricha and his brother Subahu, appeared and tried to destroy the sacrificial fire. Rama fired his arrow and Maricha was thrown hundred leagues away. The sacrifice was completed successfully. Under the guidance of Visvamitra, Rama wed Sita, the adopted daughter of Janaka and the princess of Mithila.

Maricha fight with Rama in Dandakaranya

Later, Dasaratha directed Rama for an exile in forest for 14 years, at the behest of Rama's step mother Kaikeyi. Rama proceeded to forest. Lakshmana and Sita followed him. The trio travelled through the Dandaka forest to the banks of the river Godavari, where they built a hermitage at Panchavati. Once, Maricha saw them and attacked them to wreak vengeance. Rama killed Maricha's allies, but his arrow narrowly missed Maricha, who fled. Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana, requested Rama to marry her. Rama refused and directed her to Lakshmana. Lakshmana joked at her. Surpanakha attacked Sita. Lakshmana cut out her ears and nose. Surpanakha reached Lanka and prompted Ravana to steal Sita.

Story Maricha Golden Deer Ramayana

Ravana went to meet his uncle, Maricha. He told Maricha to turn into a golden deer with silver spots and graze near Rama's ashram. On seeing the deer, Sita would surely tell Rama and Lakshamana to catch it. When they would leave Sita alone, Ravana would abduct her. Rama, aggrieved by Sita's separation, would be easily killed by Ravana. Maricha dissuaded Ravana. Ravana reiterated his plan and finally Maricha agreed.

Maricha’s disguise as Golden Deer

Maricha and Ravana flew to Panchavati. Maricha assumed the form of a beautiful golden deer, which had silver spots. It appeared in the vicinity of Rama's ashram. Sita was collecting flowers. The golden deer lured Sita, who called Rama and Lakshmana to see it. Lakshmana sensed foul play and suggested that the deer was Maricha. Sita persuaded Rama to get her the deer. Rama asked Lakshmana to take care of Sita and went after the deer. Maricha ran, followed by Rama. After a long chase, Rama shot him down. Maricha took his real form and cried out mimicking Rama's voice "Oh Sita! Oh Lakshmana!" Sita asked Lakshmana to go and search for Rama. Lakshmana insisted that no one could harm Rama. Worried Sita ordered Lakshmana to go. Lakshmana reluctantly left. Immediately, Ravana appeared as a mendicant. Sita stepped forward to give him alms and he kidnapped her.

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GANGA ORIGIN STORY - BHAGIRATHA BRINGING GANGA TO EARTH

Ganga Origin Story Bhagiratha bringing Ganga to Earth

The origin of Ganga relates to the story of Bhagiratha bringing Gangato Earth. The story of Gangavatara is mainly found in the Balakanda of Ramayana. Once, Sagara the king of Kosala decided to perform the Asvamedha sacrifice. The sacrificial horse was sent out and his royal agents followed it. During the journey the royal agents lost track of the horse. Sagara had sixty thousand sons by his wife Sumati. He ordered his sons to track down the horse. The proud princes raged across the land of Bharat. It was a fierce march burning down forests and damaging life and property, everything in the name of finding out the horse. At last they arrived at the abode of Sage Kapila where they found the white horse. Mistaking Kapila as a thief, they attacked him. The sage opened his eyes and cursed them. All the princes were turned into ashes.

Later, Kapila was consoled and he said that the only way for the souls of the dead princes to ascend to heaven would be through an offering at the sacred Ganga river (Ganges), which was flowing only in heaven then. Bringing Ganga to Earth was an impossible task and the successive generations of the kings of Kosala could not do that. The ill-effect resulted in natural disasters in the kingdom. The kingdom lost its peace and prosperity. By the time Bhagiratha ascended the throne, it was impossible to govern the kingdom though he was a very efficient ruler. 

At last, King Bhagiratha entrusted the kingdom to his ministers and set out to the Himalayas to perform an arduous Tapas in the extreme climate. He performed Tapas (penance) for one thousand years to please Lord Brahma. At the end, Brahma was pleased and asked him for his wish. Bhagiratha asked Brahma Dev to bring the river Ganges down to earth so that he may perform the ceremony for his ancestors. Brahma advised Bhagiratha to propitiate Lord Shiva because he was the only person capable to hold Ganga when she comes down. Bhagiratha propitiated Mahadev. After one year's penance, Bholenath appeared and told Bhagiratha that he would make Ganga fall on his matted locks (jata).

Ganga started to flow down to earth. Lord Shiva captured all of Ganga in his jata. Then Ganga fell on earth without hurting it. Bhagiratha’s efforts caused Ganga to come to the earth and so she is also called Bhagirathi. Ganga wanted to set herself free. She flowed and destroyed sage Jahnu’s ashram. Annoyed by the same, Jahnu swallowed Ganga. Bhagiratha again prayed to Jahnu to let out Ganga and Jahnu released her. Hence, Ganga is also known as Jahnavi. Ganga then flowed over the remains of the 60,000 ancestors of Bhagiratha and brought them release. The term Bhagirathaprayatna (effort of Bhagiratha) has come into use in the sense of taking pains to do something which is generally impossible. 

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/11/ganga-origin-story-bhagiratha-bringing.html

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STORY OF BHAIRAV REMOVING BRAHMA 5th HEAD

Story of Bhairav removing Brahma 5th head

The Sivapurana deals with the story of Shiva as Kal Bhairav removing the fifth head of Lord Brahma. Lord Mahavishnu, the protector of the world and Lord Brahma, the creator of the world, started a heated word exchange. Each one claimed that he was the Lord of the universe. While their word-war was going on, there appeared in between them, a white and fat phallus. Also they heard a heavenly voice:” You need not quarrel about lordship. One who finds out the end of this phallus will be the Lord.” Lord Brahma took it as a trick played by Lord Shiva and he scolded Siva. 

Lord Siva became angry and he created Bhairava to wreak vengeance to Brahma. Bhairav, the Ugramurti (fierce figure) proceeded towards Brahma as instructed by Mahadev. Brahma was Pancamukha (one who has five heads) up to that time. Bhairava plucked the fifth head of Brahma with his left hand. As a result of this Brahma became Chaturmukha (one who has four heads). What Bhairava did was the great sin of Brahmahatya (killing of Brahma). Therefore, he wanted to do Prayaschitta (remedial deed) for the same. He rushed to Siva to seek his advice in this regard. 

Lord Shiva advised Bhairava to go for begging with the bowl of the skull of Brahma’s head and to take dip in the sacred Thirthas. Siva created with his godly power the woman Bhairavi also to accompany Bhairava while doing the Prayaschitta. Bhairava went for begging along with Bhairavi and then took dip in different sacred Thirthas. But he could not get rid of the Brahmahatya sin he committed. Therefore, he went back to Bolenath and prayed to him to suggest a solution to the danger he had crept in. Siva advised him to go to Varanasi (Benares) and take dip in Ganga for getting rid of his sin. Bhairava then proceeded to Varanasi along with Bhairavi and had full dip in Ganga. The Kapala (skull) of Brahma which was his begging bowl also flowed away in Ganga. It is believed that the entire sin of Brahmahatya he committed also flowed away along with the Kapala of Brahma. The particular place where Bhairava took the dip with the Kapala came to be known as Kapalamochana Thirtha. 

Kal Bhairava then went to fight with the gods of heaven and defeated Indra. This was not with the permission of Siva. Indra approached Siva and complained. Siva cursed Bhairava to become a tree and he became so. The tree was named Damanaka in the sense that it put an end to the pride of the gods. Bhairava later apologized and begged Siva for pardon. Siva made provision that all those who worship the gods should worship Bhairava also. Thus Bhairava also came to be worshipped by people. 

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/10/story-of-bhairav-removing-brahma-5th.html

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THE STORY OF SABITRI : The True Essence of Love and Friendship

The Story of Savitri: The True Essence of Love and Friendship Long long ago, there ruled a king named Ashvapati. He was a pious and virtuous man. However, he had no offspring. To acquire the same he resorted to a rigorous regimen of discipline, which included eating only a minimal amount of food at a specific time of the day and keeping the mind and body under strict control. Every day he would pour offerings into the sacred fires, accompanied by a hundred thousand chantings of the Gayatri mantra. After eighteen years, the goddess Gayatri was finally pleased with his devotion and manifested herself before him saying: "King! I am happy with your self-discipline and control over the senses. Ask whatever boon you want.” The king replied: "Kindly grant me a son to carry on my family name forward. The goddess gave an intriguing reply: "Dear king, I have already spoken to Lord Brahma regarding your desire for a son. However, he has instructed me to instead grant you a daughter who will outshine the world with her qualities. We should not question nor doubt Brahma’s judgement.” The king bowed and with folded hands accepted the divine plan laid out before him. Soon a daughter was born to him, whom he named Savitri, another name for goddess Gayatri, by whose grace he had been blessed. Savitri grew up to be so beautiful that anyone who saw her took her for a divine being rather than human. Her personality was powerful and luminous, so much so that she outshone all princes who thought of winning her hand. One day, she made an appearance before her father to pay obeisance to him. She stood before him with folded hands. Seeing his fully grown daughter who had not yet been sought out by a suitor made the king extremely sad and he spoke out: "Dear daughter, the time is ripe for me to hand you over to a suitable husband. However, none has come forward to ask for your hand. Therefore, as per the scriptures, please go ahead and choose a husband yourself, someone who equals you in qualities. Let me know of the person of your choice and after due consideration, I will marry you off to him. Don’t worry, whatever I am asking you to do is strictly according to Dharma only because the scriptures say: ‘A father who does not give away his daughter at the suitable age is contemptible; a husband who does not have physical relations with his wife just following the days of her monthly cycle is contemptible; and the son who does not look after his widowed mother is contemptible.’ Hence, for my sake, so that I am not a culprit in the eyes of the gods, please go ahead and start looking for a suitable boy yourself.” The king then instructed his elderly ministers to make necessary preparations for the trip and also asked them to accompany Savitri on her journey. The princess, though bashful, did not even for a moment doubt her father’s words, and set immediately out to fulfil his wish. Accompanied by her father’s mature and trusted advisors, she sat on a golden chariot and set out to the forests and various places of pilgrimage to seek out a husband for herself. Some days later she returned to her father’s house. By chance, the great sage Narada too was visiting them at that time. The virtuous Savitri touched the saint’s feet with her head. On her father’s enquiry she revealed that she had seen a king who had lost his eyesight and consequently his kingdom, and who had retired to the forests to practice severe penances there. He had a son named Satyavan, who though born in the city, had been raised and brought up in the forests only. It was him that Savitri had chosen as her husband. Hearing this, Narada exclaimed that Savitri had unknowingly brought misfortune on herself. Even though undoubtedly Satyavan was unmatched in terms of qualities, he was destined to live for only one more year. The king pleaded with his daughter to select another man for marriage. To this the great Savitri replied: "Father! Just like wealth is divided between brothers only once, a daughter too is given only once. Whether he have a long life or a short one, whether he is full of virtues or devoid of them; I have already chosen him as my husband and can therefore never chose another. First it is the mind that decides what’s to be done, then the speech utters it and finally we perform the action. It is my mind’s firm decision to have him and only him as my husband.” Narada applauded Savitri’s speech saying that she had a firm mind and could not be deviated from the path of Dharma. He then told the king that it was best that she be married to Satyavan only. The king answered: "O sage! You are my guru. Your wish is my command. I will start off immediately to seek the permission of the groom’s parents.” Savitri’s father used his chariot only till the edge of the forest. From there he proceeded on foot to where the hut of the blind king was. He introduced himself with all humility and requested Satyavan’s father to accept his daughter as a wife for his noble son. The blind king replied: "Sir, we have lost our kingdom and now live in the forest as reclusive hermits performing severe penances. It is not befitting that your princess be subject to the hardships of the forest.” Savitri’s father replied: "Dear Sir! Pain and pleasure come and go. Me and my daughter both are aware of this. I have come to you with a firm resolution and with great expectations. Please don’t disappoint someone who has taken refuge under you with great hope.” Hearing these humble words, Satyavan’s father was greatly satisfied and respectfully agreed to the match. Savitri and Satyavan were then married in the forest and king Ashvapati, having handed over his daughter along with a large number of gifts to Satyavan, returned to his palace. Satyavan was delighted to receive the glorious Savitri as his wife and so was she to have him as her husband. After her father had gone, Savitri removed all her ornaments and rich clothes and donned clothes made of barks and leaves as befitting forest-dwellers. Very soon she won the heart of all the residents of the hermitage by her spirit of service, humility, restraint and by acting according to the wishes of the elders. She satisfied her mother-in-law by physical service and gifts of clothes etc. and her father in law by maintaining restraint of speech in his presence. Similarly she gave immense satisfaction to her husband through sweetness of speech, efficiency of her work, maintaining peace in the house and through pleasurable activities when they were alone. Some time elapsed in this manner. However, Savitri, who could not for a single moment let Narada’s words out of her mind, was in constant turmoil. The day soon approached when Satyavan was to give up his body. His devoted wife was counting each day and four days before, she took a severe vow (Vrata) that she would remain standing for three nights and days without taking any food. On seeing her strict regimen the father in law was extremely pained and addressed her thus: "O Princess! You have taken up a very tough Vrata. It is very difficult to be without food for three days.”Savitri said: "Father, please don’t worry. I will complete this Vrata. The cause of success of a Vrata is the firmness of one’s resolve only. I have taken it up only after making a firm decision.” Satyavan’s father then blessed her for the successful completion of her Vrata. Savitri, reduced to a lifeless piece of wood, spent the last night standing immersed in the thought that tomorrow would be the last day of her husband’s life. The next morning, after finishing her early morning chores, she went down to seek the blessings of her in-laws and the elderly Brahmins of the hermitage. All answered her with words which blessed her with a long married life. Savitri became situated in Dhyana Yoga and received these words into her heart with the silent acceptance: ‘This is how it will be’. Sometime later in the day, her in-laws addressed lovingly said to her: "Dear Daughter! You have successfully finished your Vrata. Now the time has come for you to take food.” Savitri replied: "Father, after sunset when I have achieved my desire, only then will I take food.This is my firm resolve.” As she was speaking these words, Satyavan, putting an axe on his shoulders was setting out to gather wood for the sacred fires (Agni) from the forest. Savitri requested that she too wanted to accompany him. Satyavan tried to dissuade her by pointing out that the trails of the forest were difficult and as it is she was considerably weakened by her severe fast. Savitri however replied that she was not feeling any weakness at all due to the fast and was very desirous of accompanying him and therefore he should not say no to her. Seeing her enthusiasm, Satyavan agreed but asked her to take the permission of his parent’s first. She went before her in-laws, bowed her head before them and said: "Dear Parents, it’s been a year and I have never stepped out of the hermitage. It is my heart’s desire to go along with my husband today and see the beauty of the forest.” Her father-in-law replied: "Daughter, ever since you have come here you have not asked for anything. This is the first time you expressed a desire for something. Go daughter, May God fulfil your desire.” Thus did Savitri, after having obtained permission from both her in-laws set out with her husband towards the deep forests. Outwardly she seemed normal and happy but inside she was burning in the fire of torment. Her loving husband meanwhile, oblivious of his impending fate, set out to entertain his wife by pointing out the beauties of the forest. Savitri was constantly watching over her husband. She was convinced that Narada’s words were definitely going to come true. Walking slowly, Savitri seemed to be divided into two parts - one which followed her husband and the other which dreadfully waited for the looming moment. Within a small time, Satyavana, with his wife’s help, had collected a basket of fruits. Then he set to split wood with his axe. The hard labor made him sweat and his head began aching. Tormented by the pain he went to his beloved wife and said: "Savitri, today the job of cutting wood tires me out and my head and body are aching. My heart too seems to be burning and I feel as if someone is piercing my head with needles. Dear, I want to sleep. I don’t seem to have enough power to remain standing.” Hearing this, Savitri rushed to his side and sitting down, placed his head in her lap. Just then there appeared in front of her a divine being wearing red clothes. He was of dark complexion and fierce disposition, and was holding a noose in his hand. He was continuously looking towards Satyavan. Seeing him, she gently placed her husband’s head on the ground and stood up with folded hands. With her heart pounding and voice faltering she said: "Sir, it seems you are a divine being. If you wish can you let me know who you are and what you want to do here?” The divine personage replied: "Savitri, you are a devoted wife (Pativrata) and also lead an ascetic-like life. Therefore, I can converse with you. I am Yamaraja – the god of death. Your husband’s life is over, hence I am going to tie him up and take him with me.” Saying this, Yamaraja tied up the jiva who was the size of a thumb (angushtha-matra), and extracted him from Satyavana’s body. Then, because of losing his Prana, Satyavan stopped breathing, his body lost all lustre and lay lifeless on the ground like an undesirable object. Yamaraja carried off with the jiva in the southern direction. Savitri, beside herself with grief, kept on following him. On way, the following conversation took place between the two - a conversation unparalleled in the annals of world literature: Yamaraja: Savitri, you should return now and prepare for your husband’s last rites. You gave him company till the very last possible and are now free from any debt towards him. Savitri: It is a wife’s eternal Dharma to go wherever her husband takes her or go wherever he is going; and this is what I am doing. Due to Tapasya, Guru-Bhakti, love for my husband, performing Vratas and your blessings, I have access to all worlds and hence can follow my husband and you. Wise persons say that two people become friends even if they have walked seven steps together (and we have already covered more ground). Keeping this friendship in front of me I will say something, please hear: Situated in one’s own Dharma one reaches the highest goal. One should not desire to follow Dharma other than one’s own. Therefore, virtuous people give preference only to Dharma. To Savitri’s these words, soaked as they were in Dharma, Yamaraja, also known as Dharmaraja (The King of Dharma) replied: Yamaraja: Your words are almost like poetry to my ears. Ask any boon you want except for your husband’s life. Savitri: Lord, my father-in-law has to suffer a lot because of his blindness. I request that his eyesight be restored. Yamaraja: So be it. You should return now as you look very tired. Savitri: How can a wife feel any tiredness when she is near her husband? I am going to end up wherever my husband does. Wherever you take him, it is mandatory that I follow you there. Lord, listen to my one more thing. The company of saints (like you) is greatly desirable, even if it be for once only. It is even better to have friendship with them (which I have already developed with you). The company of saints is never futile, it is bound to always yield some happy fruit. Therefore, one should always strive to be in the company of the great. Yamaraja: Savitri, you have uttered words which are beneficial for all. It conforms exactly to what is held by me too. I am extremely happy at your words. Ask for another boon except that of Satyavan’s life. Savitri: Please restore my father-in-laws lost kingdom. Yamaraja: So it will be; and now that your wish has been fulfilled, you can go back. Savitri: Dear Lord! It is you who control the world through the various rules (Niyama) laid down by you. That is why you are known as Yama. Please listen to what I have to say. Never hurting others either mentally, verbally or physically is the eternal Dharma practiced by virtuous people. Dharma also has compassion and charity as its necessary components. Saints (like yourself) have compassion even towards your enemies who come under your refuge (then how cannot you have compassion upon us who have gained your friendship?). Yamaraja: Your words are as soothing to me as water is to a thirsty man. Go ahead and ask for any boon except Satyavan’s life. Savitri: Dear Lord, my father is without a son. Please grant him a hundred sons who can carry his family name forward. Yamaraja: So will it be. Dear Lady, now that your wish has been fulfilled, go back as you have already come too far. Savitri: How can I be far from anywhere when I am near my husband? We can keep walking as you listen to me. You treat all equally according to Dharma, hence you are known as Dharmaraja. Actually, man does not have as much faith in himself as he has in saints like you. One person trusts another due to sympathy and compassion and saints have the maximum compassion in them and so all have faith in them. Yamaraja: The type of words I have heard from you I have never heard from anyone else. I am very satisfied with what you have said. Ask for a fourth boon, other than his life and then you can return from here. Savitri: May there be born from me and my husband Satyavan a hundred sons to expand our family name. This is the fourth boon I want from you. Yamaraja: So be it. There will be born to you a hundred sons who will be a source of immense joy to you. Now go back before you are exhausted. Savitri: Virtuous people are always engaged in the performance of Dharma. They desire the company of saints and never fear them. Actually, it is the Dharma of the virtuous and Tapasya of the saints which holds up the world. Living under such saints (like you), followers of Dharma (like us) are never subjected to grief. The blessings of saints never go waste. Indeed, they are the ones protecting this world. Yamaraja: O Chaste Woman! Your voice, loaded with serious import and populated with beautiful words pleases me and my devotion towards you continues to increase more and more. Ask any boon from me. Savitri: Sir, the boon you have given me of a hundred sons is not possible alone without my husband being with me. This boon is not like the other boons I had asked for. Therefore, I request that my husband be restored to life because I am as good as dead without him. If there is any pleasure in this world without my husband I don’t want it. I don’t wish for a heaven without him. I don’t want any riches without him. What more can I say, I do not wish to live without my husband. You have blessed me with a hundred sons, and you yourself are carrying away my husband from me. Therefore, I repeat my request for being reunited with my husband. Yamaraja replied in the affirmative and released the soul of Satyavan from his bond, blessing Savitri that her name would be immortalized as a source of inspiration till eternity. Conclusion: In the annals of history if there is one story which illuminates the true nuances of love with vividness it is that of Savitri. She expresses the two most subtle yet fundamental ingredients of love: selfless devotion and sacrifice. These are not two lovers forgetting the bigger picture embroiled only in the physical aspect of love. The sequence in which Savitri asks her boons reveals to us the depth of her character. Her first concern is towards the suffering of her father-in-law, and only later does she ask a boon for her own father. What greater example can there be of complete surrender? Glory to Indian womanhood, shaped as it is by divine literature like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Truly did Savitri demonstrate how a virtuous woman can exalt two families at the same time. (The story of Savitri occurs in the Mahabharata in the Book of Forests (Vana Parva), chapters 293-299). This article by Nitin Kumar.

MAHARSHI VYAGRAPADA

                MAHARSHI   VYAGRAPADA   

VYAAGHRAPAADA   MAHARSHI        

Shri Krishna Paramaatma’s Deekshaaguru was Upamanyu. His father was Vyaaghrapaada maharshi. Vyaaghrapaada maharshi was an akunthita Shiva deekshaapara and a Shiva bhakti paraayana. He was a shadkaala Shivapuuja-dhurandhara. Vyaaghrapaada Brahmarshi used to goto the aranyas and carefully collect Bilva-dalas, vividha-kusumas, with a lot of prema, for Shiva puuja.

Once Sadaashiva, the Bhaktavatsala, gave His durlabha darshanam to Vyaaghrapaada maharshi. Parama Shiva asked the Brahmarshi to ask for abhiishtam. Vyaaghrapaada maharshi replied “nirantara Shiva bhakti is enough for me”. He had nirmala, nishkaama, nishchala Bhakti on Parameshvara. However Parama Shiva insisted the Brahmarshi to ask for something.

With that Vyaaghrapaada maharshi replied “Karunaamaya! I get Divyaanandam doing Your puuja. Collecting vividha-kusumas, dalas for Your puuja, using them for Your archana — these things give immense aanandam to me. When I try to collect these Vana-dravyas, huge thorns and sharp stones prick and cause pain to me. So make my paadas as kathinam as a Vyaaghra’s”. (In Aadhyaatma tattvam, Vyaaghram represents Moksham) Parama Shiva, with a chiru-mandahaasam, replied “tathaastu”. Vishveshvara was happy with the avyaaja-prema of the Bhakta. Thus the Brahmarshi got the name Vyaaghrapaada.

The great Chidambara Kshetram is known as “Vyaaghrapuri” or “Puliyuur” because Vyaaghrapaada maharshi did Shiva-upaasana here and saw the Divya Shiva Taandavam here. He is the Mantra-drashta of many Mantras in Rug-vedam. The great Paandavas were from Vaiyaaghrapada-gotram, for which Vyaaghrapaada maharshi is the Pravataka.

For Loka-shrayas and to protect Sanaata-Dharmam, Vyaaghrapaada maharshi also wrote “Vyaaghrapaada-smruti”. One can learn about Yuga-dharmas, Aashrama-dharmas, Pinda pradaana – Pitru tarpana Mahaatmyam, Teertha-Kshetra praashastyam, Shraaddhaadi Vignyaanam, Abhisheka, Snaana vidhis etc., by reading this Mahaa-grantham:

On seeing a Deva-pratima, a Yati, a Sanyaasi, immediately one must do Namaskaaram. If one doesnt then praayashchittam is required.

When doing Namaskaaram one must do Yathaavidhi by folding both the hands. If one does with one hand, then he will loose all the Punyam which he earned in that janma.

Like this many simple, nevertheless important things are discussed in this Shaastram.

Morals in the story:

Nishkaama bhakti is what we all need to have. Vyaaghrapaada maharshi showed us that it is this which will impress Parameshvara, not Bhakti with Svaartham.
Importance of respecting, doing Namaskaaram to Deva-pratima, Yati, Sanyaasi and elders is well shown in the story.

source : http://moralstories.wordpress.com/2006/07/24/vyaaghrapaada-maharshi

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STORY OF DATTATREYA OR DATTA

  Story of Lord Dattatreya or Datta

Sage Atri and Anusuya

Anusuya and three children

Dattatreya or Datta – the Hindu god who is regarded as a combined incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. According to puranas, Lord Dattatreya was born as the son of Sage Atri and Anasuya. 

Once Sage Narada was describing the pativratyam (devotion to her husband) of Anasuya to Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Laskshmi and Parvati devi. Hearing a lot about Anasuya, the three Goddesses wanted to test her Pativrata Dharma. For this, the Trimurtis appeared as sanyasis (sages) in front of Anusuya and asked her to give food without wearing any clothes. Anasuya falls in dilemma – she cannot come in front of other men in nude, and she cannot refuse to give food to sanyasis. She prayed to her husband and sprinkled some water on the three sanyasis in order to clean their feed. 

All of a sudden, the three sanyasis were transformed into small babies. Anasuya felt a motherly attachment to them and fed the three babies with breast milk. As soon as Sage Atri came back home he realized that the three babies are none other than the Trimurti Gods. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva woke up in their original form and gave a boon to Anasuya that they will take rebirth as her child in a single form in the name Dattatreya.

Dattatreya Jayanti on 16th December 2013

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/09/story-of-lord-dattatreya-or-datta.html

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BIRTH OF GANESH STORY

Birth of Ganesh Story

The story of the birth of Ganesha is found in the Puranas in different versions. Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. They selected an isolated place on the Kailasa Mountain for one thousand years.

Once, Shiva said to Parvati: Dear, there are many creatures in this world. We live as human beings. How can we experience the life of other creatures? Why not we take the form of other creatures and live for some time? Parvati agreed. They took the form of elephants and lived in the forests enjoying the life of elephant. During their life as elephants Parvati became pregnant. She worried that the progeny would be in the form of elephant. She shared her worry with Siva. He pacified her saying that the child born to her would become world famous and also the entire world would respect him. People would seek his blessings before beginning any deed.

Parvati gave birth to a nice boy. He had a small belly. He was named Ganesa. Devas came from heaven to greet him. Ganesa was growing as a very clever boy. Once, Parvati went to take bath after entrusting Ganesa to guard the gate. He was instructed not to let anyone enter in. While he was thus guarding the gate, there came Shiva to get in. Ganesa obstructed him and said: “mother has entrusted me to guard the gate without letting anyone to go in. Therefore, I cannot let you go in.”

Siva said: “Parvati intended to prevent other people, not me. So let me go in.”

Ganesa did not allow him to go in. Siva got angry. His eyes reddened and he scolded Ganesa.

“Naughty boy, if you are this much greedy in this young age, what will be the case once you grow up? You will not hesitate to threaten and even do away with me. I do not want this kind of a son.”

Siva cut Ganesa into two pieces; the body and the head.

By then, Parvati came back after taking the bath. She cried aloud on seeing her son cut into two pieces. Who did this? - she shouted.

Siva realized his guilt and was unable to utter a single word. Later, he explained to her what happened. Parvati was still weeping. Soon, Shiva sent his ganas and asked them to bring back the head of the first creature that is laying with its head facing North. Soon the ganas bring back the head of a powerful elephant, which Shiva placed onto Ganesha’s body. Ganesa was back alive.

Thus Ganesa or Ganapati became Gajanana or Gajamukha meaning one whose face is that of elephant. Ganesa also means leader of all the ganas.

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/09/birth-of-ganesh-story.html

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LEGEND OF MORESHWAR TEMPLE

                             Lord Ganesh's Mayureshwar

Legend of Moreshwar temple

It was predicted by Lord Brahma that Lord Ganesha would incarnate as Vinayak in the Kritayug, as Mayureshwar in Treta yug, as Gajanan in the Dwaparyug and as Dhumraketu in the Kalyug. All these incarnations are related to certain legends of Lord Ganesha killing various demons.

In the Gandaki Nagari of Mithila, a king named Chakrapani was ruling. He and his wife Queen Ugra were unhappy, as they did not have a child. The couple worshipped God Surya and the queen with the blessings of the Sun God became pregnant. But soon released the embryo in the sea as she could not bear the brilliance and the radiance of the embryo. From that embryo, brilliant son was born. The sea in the disguise of a Brahmin approached King Chakrapani with the child and gave the child to the King. As the child was born in the sea the king named him sindhu. Sindhu, after growing old and strong became more powerful by worshipping the Sun God as advised by his Guru Shukracharya. Lord Surya, as a boon gave the nectar to Sindhu and said that as long as the nectar remains near his navel he will not die. Sindhu thus received immortality and started attacking Gods like Indra, Vishnu etc. he defeated all of them and kept them in prison in his kingdom. The remaining gods worshipped Lord Ganesh and requested him to rescue them from the demon king sindhu. Ganesha pleased with their prayers, promised to take birth as Devi Parvati's son and kill the demon.

Parvati recited the ekakshari ‘OM' mantra to please the Lord and made a clay idol of Ganesha on the Bhadrapada shuddha Chaturthi Day and worshipped. The idol soon turned into a real child. When the child was ten years old, Shiva and Parvati along with their son decided to leave the mountain Meru and on their way to mountain kailash, Lord Ganesha defeated the demon Kamalasura with the help of Siddhi(the personified shakti) and Buddhi(the personified Intelligence). After this incident on their way, lord Ganesha found the Gandaki Nagari of the demon king Sindhu and decided to attack him with all the army of Shiva's attendants. He thus attacked Sindhu and at first killed the two sons of Sindhu. Sindhu was advised to release the Gods and Goddesses in prison and leave the battlefield by his father. But he did not listen to it and continued the battle. Lord Ganesha removed the nectar from his navel with his Parashu and killed him. During this battle, Lord Ganesha was riding a peacock and therefore he got the name ‘Mayureshvar', the one who rides a peacock. Mayureshvar decided to reside at Morgaon, for the sake of his devotees.

Another legend that accounts for Lord Ganesh's Mayureshwar is:

Sage Kashyap had two wives, Kadru and Vinita. Kadru's sons who were the serpents, held Vinita's sons Shayen, Sampati and Jatayu who were the birds, captive. Vinita, their mother was very hurt by this. As a consolation, Sage Kashyap gave Vinita a boon of having one more son also in the form of a bird. When this son was in the egg stage, Lord Ganesh broke the egg, and a peacock emerged from the egg. The newborn peacock and Ganesh battled with each other. Vinita the mother had to intervene to end this battle. Ultimately her peacock son chose to be Ganesha's vehicle and laid down the condition that Ganesh would be known by the peacock's name. Thus Ganesha took the name Mayureshvar. Moreshwar is a local variation of the name.

source : http://ashtavinayaktemples.com/article/id/341/temple/34/legend-of-moreshwar-temple

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GODDESS DURGA MOTHER OF UNIVERSE

Goddess Durga Mother of Universe

Goddess Durga is worshiped as the mother of the universe and her name itself reflects ‘Shakti’ or power. Durga in Sanskrit means a fort or a place that is protected and thus difficult to reach. Durga Maa represents the Supreme Being that preserves moral order and righteousness in the creation.

Goddess Durga Mantra

Om Dum Durgayei Namaha
Om Aing Hring Kling Chamundayei Vichche

Appearance of Goddess Durga

Goddess Durga is usually depicted wearing red clothes. The red color symbolizes action and the red clothes signify that she is always busy destroying evil and protecting mankind from all pain and suffering. She is also seen as demon fighting version of Lord Shiva’s wife, Parvati. She is depicted as having eight or ten hands which represents eight quadrants or ten directions of Hinduism. She appears with three eyes where the left eye represents desire, the right eye represents action and the central eye represents knowledge hence the name ‘Triyambake’. Mother Durga rides over a lion which symbolizes her mastery over the qualities of power, will and determination. She possess different kinds of weapons in her arms like mace, sword, disc, arrow and trident which conveys that one weapon cannot be used to destroy all kinds of enemies, but different kinds of weapons has to be used. She has the sacred conch which emanates the sound of creation ‘AUM’.

Goddess Durga worship during Durga Puja Festival

Durga Puja during the Navaratri festival is the main festival associated with the Goddess. Durga Pooja is the biggest Hindu festival celebrated throughout India. This falls in the month of September - October and the goddess is worshipped in nine forms these days. The goddess is dressed each day as a different devi likeGoddess Saraswati, Goddess Parvati, and Goddess Lakshmi. On first day she is Shailputri, second day Brahmacharini, third day Chandraganta, fourth day Kushmanda, fifth day Skanda Mata, sixth day Katyayani, seventh day Kalratri, eighth day Mahagauri and ninth day Sidhidatri. The eight day of Navratri Festival is known as Durgashtami and weapons of Goddess Durga are worshipped on this day. The day of Durga’s victory is celebrated as Vijayadasami. There is also an elemental ritual of immersing the idol of Goddess Durga into the holy river of Ganga which points to cyclical regeneration.

Power of all Divine Forces 

Goddess Durga is believed to be the power behind the work of creation, preservation and destruction of the world. She is the divine mother who protects mankind from all evils and miseries and also destroys selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger and ego. Thus Goddess Durga represents a united front of all Divine forces against the negative forces of wickedness and evil.

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2011/09/goddess-durga-mother-of-universe.html

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BIRTH OF GODDESS DURGA STORY

Birth of Goddess Durga Story

Story of the birth of Goddess Durga Devi. According to the Rig Vedas, Durga Maa is the primeval source of energy. Hindus consider Durga as the mother of the universe. Read the story behind the birth of Goddess Durga below. 

Mahishasura who was the king of Asuras for many years were granted a boon by Lord Brahma that no man or god can kill him. This gave him the power to fight and rule the entire world. He started attacking heaven and urged his battalion of asuras to kill people and take away their wealth. Even gods and goddesses were driven away from heaven and Mahishasura took the throne. The gods did not have any other way out of this terrorism and requested Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva for help. 

To solve this issue the Trimurtis combined their divine energy into a feminine form that illuminated the heaven. From this glow Goddess Durga Devi emerged as a beautiful woman with ten arms riding a lion. Durga was born to kill the demons and so she was completely armed in each of her ten arms with divine weapons of each god and sent against Mahishasura for a fierce battle. When Mahishasura disguised as buffalo Devi beheaded the buffalo and then Mahishasura emerged in his original form. Then Devi Durga pierced his chest and relieved the world from evil power.

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/09/birth-of-goddess-durga-story.html

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STORY OF GODDESS KALI - DEMON RAKTABIJA

Story of Goddess Kali Demon Raktabija

Goddess Kali is the embodiment of Parvathi, the consort of Lord Shiva. The intention of this incarnation was to destroy the fierce demon Raktabija. He came to know by this name after he was blessed with a unique boon by Lord Brahma. As per this boon, if a drop of blood from his body was fallen on the ground, one thousand times more powerful so many Raktabija could take rebirth from that. Thus within a short span of time there would be millions of similar demons on the battle field. This exceptional advantage persuaded him to torture gods and goddess, sages, saints and men. His unbearable disturbances forced other gods and sages to seek help from Goddess Parvati who is considered as the divine manifestation of eternal energy. Thus she decided to rescue the Universe by her appearance as Goddess Kali Ma.

Incarnation of Goddess Kali

The complexion of Goddess Kali was extreme dark whereas her eyes reddish. She had worn a garland of human skulls around her neck and a waist belt from which hanged numerous dismantled human limbs. The third eye on Kali’s forehead and the highly tangled luxurious hair increased her terrifying character. Her long teeth were sharp and looked like fangs. The extra long tongue that slings down from her mouth exhibited her blood thirsty nature. In all her pictures she is seen with eight arms. She is depicted as holding a blood smeared sword in her upper left hand and a severed head of a demon in her lower left hand. With the upper right hand she offers refuge to her devotees. Thus Kali was with unique capacity to overcome the powers of Raktabija.

Battle With Raktabija

In the battle field Goddess Kali appeared in gigantic and fierce form which made the demon to get frightened. She fought against him vigorously with the support of her carrier lion. As per legend, Goddess Kali stabbed Raktabija with her spear and then with her enormous tongue drank the whole blood from the wounds created. Thus she prevented the rebirth of Raktabija from his own blood drops. This process was continued till he died at last. The intake of the demon’s blood influenced the Goddess to run across the universe and destroy everything. To cool down her aggressiveness, other Gods sought the help of Lord Mahadeva who suggested an alternative by himself lying down under her feet. When Goddess Kali came to know that she touched her husband with her feet, all her ferocious behaviors vanished.

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/04/story-of-goddess-kali-demon-raktabija.html

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STORY OF TRIPURANTAKA FORM OF SHIVA

Story of Tripurantaka Form of Shiva

 Lord Shiva is known as Tripurantaka since he has destructed the three cities of demons. The story is about three sons of Tarakasura whose names were Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha and Viryavana respectively. Once they performed a tough penance to pacify Lord Brahma. They had been in this feat for thousands of years. At last Brahma appeared in front of them. But to his surprise, they requested for immortality. But Brahma confessed his inability to offer that boon. Thus they demanded three huge forts constructed of gold, silver and iron respectively and liked to live there for thousands of years. After that, they wanted these forts in a combined form called ‘Tripura’. They chose their ends together with its collapse which they desired to happen with only one arrow. Brahma granted these boons and they lived there comfortably.

Day after day the glory of demons increased considerably. They lived in utmost virtue and not committed any sins. This made demigods to have fears of loosing their dignity and heaven. So they presented the matter in front of major gods and requested to save them. All except Lord Vishnu discarded their request. He told them that the demons cannot be punished unless they were doing any type of sins. For this purpose Vishnu appointed an individual and asked him to approach demons in Tripura. Before leaving, Vishnu taught him that both heaven and hell are on earth and the outcome of deeds is vanished by death. He was asked to propagate these versions among demons and persuade them to do sins. This was absolutely successful. Thus they deviated from doing rights and preferred only wrongs.

Photo Courtesy - Dinamalar.com

As per the boon, thousand years were over by this time and the three forts got united. The sinful life leading by demons, gave Gods a chance to destroy Tripura. They visited Lord Shiva and revealed the conditions going on there. He also came to know that the demons already stopped worshipping Siva Linga. This made him so angry and decided to destroy the three cities. For this requirement he used a magnificent chariot constructed by Viswakarma, and Brahma himself came forward to ride the same. Along with Shiva Shankar all other gods participated in this attempt with their featured abilities and weapons. Lord Siva installed a divine power called ‘Pashupatha’ into his arrow and shot at Tripura which burnt the cities to ashes within seconds. This is how Lord Siva came to know as Tripurantaka or Tripurantakesvara or Tripurantakeshwara.

An ancient temple of Tripurantaka form of Shiva is located in Balligavi town of Shimoga district in Karnataka, India.

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/02/story-of-tripurantaka-form-of-shiva.html

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LORD KRISHNA & JAMBABATI MARRIAGE STORY

Krishna Jambavati Marriage Story

Story of Sri Krishna with Jambavati for Janmastami Festival 2013. The name Jambavati is a patronymic which means the daughter of Jambavan. The story of Jambavan appears with slight differences in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavatapurana, Vishnupurana and Devibhagavata. 

The story of Krishna’s marriage with Jambavati is closely linked with the well-known story of Syamantaka. Syamantaka was a precious diamond which belonged to the Sun God. A nobleman named Satrajit, belonging to the Yadavas community, prayed to Lord Surya to obtain this dazzling diamond. Pleased by the prayer of his devotee, Sun presented him with the diamond. Satrajit returned along with the jewel to Dvaraka, the capital of the Yadava kingdom. Sri Krishna requested him to present the jewel to Ugrasena, the supreme leader of the Yadavas. Satrajit did not comply. 

Satrajit presented Syamantaka to his brother Prasena, who was the ruler of a Yadava province. Once Prasena went for hunting in the forest wearing the diamond. He was attacked by a lion and was killed. The lion fled with the jewel. It entered into the mountain cave of Jambavan. The lion was attacked by Jambavan. He killed it and took the diamond. Jambavan gifted it to his young son who used to play with it. 

Following the incident, there escalated a rumour that Sree Krishna who had an eye on the Syamantaka jewel, murdered Prasena and stole the jewel. Srikrishna felt annoyed by this false allegation and decided to find out the truth. Lord Krishna, his brother Balarama and other kinsmen set out in search of Prasena. They followed the same trail that Prasena had taken and discovered the corpses of Prasena and his horse. In the mouth of the horse, pieces of teeth and nails of a lion were seen. They then followed the trail of the lion and reached the cave, where the dead lion was lying. Sri Krsna entered the cave alone. He saw a child playing with the priceless jewel. The child was Jambavan’s son. As Srikrishna was nearing the child cried aloud which alerted Jambavan. There took place a fierce combat for several days between Srikrishna and Jambavan. 

Jambavan finally realised that Srikrishna with whom he was fighting was none other than Lord Vishnu, who was his benefactor Srirama in the Tretayuga. Jambavan gave up his fight and returned the jewel to Srikrishna. As a token of gratitude and devotion to Srikrishna, Jambavan offered his maiden daughter Jambavati in marriage to him along with the Syamantaka jewel. Srikrishna accepted both and went back to Dvaraka along with his brother and kinsmen. 

Jambavati had no progeny of Srikrishna for a long time. On the request of Jambavati, Srikrishna prayed to Lord Shiva and he blessed them. A son was born to Jambavati who was named Samba. Samba grew up and married Lakshana, the daughter of Duryodhana. 

source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/08/krishna-jambavati-marriage-story.html?