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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