SHIVA GRIHAPATI AVATAR

Shiva Grihapati Avatar

Story of Lord Shiva’s Grihapati Avatar. A Brahmin named Visvanara and his wife Shuchismati lived on the banks of Narmada river. Even after a long period of married life, they did not have a child. Both were very sad about this. Suchishmati always complained Vishwanar (Visvanara) for not finding out a solution for the problem. Visvanara was a devotee of Lord Shiva. He decided to proceed to Kashi and pray to Lord Siva. He reached Kashi and started prayer. Mahadev was pleased with the prayer of his devotee and so decided to bless him. Siva appeared before Visvanara, blessed him and promises to taken birth as their son.

In due course of time, Shuchismati became pregnant and on maturing pregnancy, she gave birth to a beautiful child. The whole family celebrated the birth of the child. The name giving ceremony of the child was attended by all the deities and sages including Lord Shiva and Parvati. Lord Brahma named the child as Grihapati.  When Grihapati attained the age of five, his sacred thread ceremony was performed. He started learning the Vedas in the traditional way and within one year, he became proficient in all the Vedas and other sacred texts.

When Grihapati attained the age of nine, Narada came to visit the family. Narada said that Grihapati would have a fear of fire. He also informed Visvanara that death of Grihapati was imminent, because of the evil effects of the planetary combinations. Visvanara and Suchishmati were very sad and started crying. Grihapati then consoled his parents and proceeded to Kasi to do penance in order to avoid death. In Kasi, Grihapati found out an auspicious place and placed a Shivalinga there. Beside the Sivaling, he commenced his penance with prayers. On knowing about the act of Grihapati, Lord Indra arrived there and blessed him. He requested him to demand anything he wished as boon. However, Grihapati refused to demand anything. Indra became furious upon this and tried to attack him with his Vajrayudha (weapon Vajra). Grihapati was very much frightened. He prayed to Lord Shiva for protection.

Immediately, Lord Siva appeared before him. On seeing Bholenath, Indra was forced to retreat from the scene. Mahadeva blessed Grihapati and said – “Do not be afraid of this Vajra of Indra. No Vajra would be able to kill you.”

Grihapati became very happy. The Sivalinga which he worshipped in Kashi, later on became famous as “Agnisvaralinga or Agnishwar Linga”. Shiva made Grihapati the lord of all the directions.

Source : http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2014/02/shiva-grihapati-avatar.html

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Shiv Mahapuran with English Subtitles - Shiv Mahapuran Episode 50 GRIHAP...

Brahmin's Poverty eradicated
by Sadguru's Grace

         Friends, this is a story of Sri Dattaguru's third incarnation Akkalkot'sSwami Samarth. He has blessed many of his devotees. This is a story of a poor Brahmin, one of the devotees.

         This story began when Sree Guru arrived from Bhiwadi to Kuravpur where there is a confluence of rivers Panchganga and Krishna. This area is also known as Kashi of the south. Every afternoon Sri Guru would go to Amarpur to collect alms and would bless his genuine devotees.

         A poor Brahmin lived in this village of Amarpur. Everyday he would ask for hand-outs in the village and would manage his livelihood with whatever he received. He would worship every guest who visited him, and serve the guest the food he received in hand-out. His wife would never let any guest leave the house empty handed. They were happy living in theis fashion and singing hymns of God.

         One day Sri Guru went to the house of Brahmins asking for alms. But the Brahmin had gone to collect hand-outs himself. The Brahmin's wife offered a seat to Sri Guru and performed his worship. But she was wondering as to what gift she would offer to Sri Guru. There was nothing left in the house. After thinking for a long time she had an idea. In the courtyard of the house there was a big Ghevda Plant (Lima beans) which had lot of pods . The Brahmin's wife plucked few pods and cooked a dish and served it to Sri Guru. Sri guru was very pleased. He said, “Your poverty has now come to an end”. As he was departing, he blessed them and removed by chopping the Ghevada plant from bottom.

         The Brahmin's wife became sad and started crying on witnessing the above act od Sri Guru . After a while the Brahmin returned home. The wife told him about the whole incident. Brahmin responded by saying, “Sri Guru has blessed you, keep faith in him”.

         The Ghevda plant (lima beans) was cut by Sri Guru. Now to remove it completely from the ground the Brahmin took the pick-axe and began removing the roots of the plant. And lo! What a surprise! While digging he found a pot full of jewels. The couple became very happy. They went to seek blessing of Sri Guru. They performed his worship and told him the whole story.

Moral : Friends, from above story, you will agree that extending hospitality to the guest and offering even a small gift to God with pleases God.

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Generous Karna



         Karna was Duryodhan’s special friend. He was well known for his generosity. He never used to send back any needy person empty handed. Every morning, Karna used to go to the river bank for a bath and give oblation of water to the Sun-God. After his bath, while returning home, if any needy person came before him, he never used to return him back empty handed.

         Once, Lord Shrikrushna and Arjun were engaged in a conversation. They were talking about Karna’s generous nature. Shrikrushna praised Karna for his generosity. He said, "No one is as generous as Karna." Arjun was surprised to hear this. He said, "O Shrikrushna, my brother, Dharmaraj Yudhishthir too is very generous." However, Shrikrushna argued that Karna was more generous as compared to Yudhishthir. As usual, Shrikrushna was ready to prove his point. He said, “Alright, let us settle this issue tomorrow, by going to both, Dharmaraj and Karna.”

         It was a rainy season then. Shrikrushna and Arjun went to Dharmaraj Yudhishthir the next morning. Welcoming them, he asked the reason for their coming. Shrikrushna said, “Some important construction work has to be undertaken in the capital immediately and for that some wooden logs are required.” Dharmaraj called his servants and ordered them to bring wood of best quality for construction. However, the servants did not return with the wood for a long time. Finally, one servant came back and stood before them looking to the ground. Dharmaraj asked, “What happened? Did you not get the wood?” Since it was monsoon, the logs had become wet due to the rains; hence the servants could not bring them. Dharmaraj was helpless in providing the required wood. He expressed his helplessness to Shrikrushna and Arjun. Hearing this, Shrikrushna and Arjun went away.

         Shrikrushna then took Arjun to Karna. When they arrived at Karna’s residence, Karna welcomed them with great respect and inquired about their wellbeing. Arjun told him about their urgent need of wood. Karna said, “O, why are you so worried for such a simple thing?” saying so, he asked his servants to fetch some wood. The servants returned after a while and reported to him about the wood being wet due to rain. Hearing this, Karna went inside. Since he did not return for a long time, Arjun and Shrikrushna went inside Karna's room. There, they saw that Karna was cutting the legs of his wooden bed. They saw many pieces of furniture were set aside. Now they realised the reason for the delay in Karna’s returning to them. Arjun asked Karna, "O, Karna, why did you cut off your precious artistic sandalwood furniture?" Karna replied, "These things can be made again, but there is no other grief than sending away someone empty handed despite his request to fulfil his desire."

         Later, the same Karna gave away his golden armour and earrings, which he had received as a blessing at birth. This example of total sacrifice is recorded in history.

         Friends, you just read about the generosity of Karna. Karna gave away his armour and earrings, which he had received as a blessing at birth. However, we are never willing to give even the smallest of our possessions to others. From this, we must learn that, we too should be ready to sacrifice our things for the sake of others.

Source: http://balsanskar.com/english/lekh/345.html#sthash.eQXjh519.dpuf

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A TRUE DISCIPLE ( Sage Veddharma & Disciple Deepak )

                          A True Disciple

Guru & Disciple

Guru imparting knowledge to Disciples

Guru & Disciples

        Sage Veddharma had an ashram on the banks of river Godavari. He lived there with many of His disciples. Among them was a disciple named Deepak, who was his favourite. Deepak had utmost faith in his Guru.

        The Sage once thought of testing the devotion of his disciples. He called all his disciples and told them, "In my previous birth, I committed a great sin. I have to bear the consequences of it. By doing spiritual practice in this birth, I have depleted some of it. But the remaining part of it has to be borne by me soon. It will affect my body in the form of a disease. I intend to stay in Kashi (a place in north India) during this period. Is anyone among you ready to come with me and serve my diseased body?" Hearing this, all the disciples remained silent except Deepak, who immediately replied, "Gurudev, I am ready to come to Kashi and serve you." The Guru replied, "Think twice before you commit to this. I will be in the diseased state, being blind and lame, for almost 2 years. Till then you will have to serve me." Deepak thought for a moment and said, "Gurudev, can I take your disease and stay in Kashi instead of you?" Hearing Deepak's words, the Sage was pleased and said, "No, you cannot, since each one has to bear the consequences of ones own deeds."

        After a few days both of them left for Kashi. Within few days of reaching Kashi, the Sage's body started decaying. There were boils all over his body, his eyesight became weak, his movement was restricted. Deepak served his Guru truthfully and wholeheartedly. He helped his Guru in all his mundane activities. Sometimes Sage Veddharma would get angry with Deepak for no particular reason, but still Deepak remained calm and continued to serve the sage without any complaint.

        Seeing Deepak's true Gurubhakti (devotion towards his Guru), Lord Shiva was pleased with and appeared before him. He said, "Ask for a boon and I shall fulfill your desire." Deepak replied, "I will ask my Guru about it." Deepak asked his Guru whether he should ask Lord Shiva to cure him of the disease. Sage Veddharma replied in the negative. So Deepak told Lord Shiva accordingly.

        After a few days, Lord Vishnu appeared before him, praised him for his Gurubhakti and offered to grant him a boon. He replied, "Oh Lord! If you wish to grant me a boon, please grant me that my Gurubhakti increases." Lord Vishnu said, "You saw God in your Guru and served Him. You have proved that God and Guru are one and the same. You have thus increased the importance of both. I shower you with my blessings!" Thus, Deepak continued to serve his Guru. Sage Veddharma was very pleased with Deepak that he had passed the test. He blessed him and said, "You are my one true disciple. May you live long and your fame spread far and wide."

Source : http://balsanskar.com/english/lekh/48.html#sthash.tYdHPD1k.dpuf

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Ashtavinayaka

Shri Chintamani, Theur Theur was also known as Kadambanagar. At Theur in the Haveli Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra is the temple dedicated to Chintamani Vinayak.

Shri Siddhivinayak, Siddhatek Siddhatek is a remote little village along the river Bhima in the Ahmednagar district and Karjat tehsil in Maharashtra. The Siddhivinayak at Siddhatek is considered an especially powerful deity.

Shri Vigneshwar, Ozar The temple of Lord Vighneshwar is Purvabhimukh, facing the east. It is protected by a stone border from all sides.

Shri Girijatmaj, Lenyadri Lenyadri is to the North of Pune, along the Kukdi River. The Ganesh Puran calls this place as Jirnapur or Lekhan Parbat. Girijatmaj Vinayak refers to the Ganesh as the son of Parvati.

Shri Varad Vinayak, Mahad The Varad Vinayak temple is Purvabhimukh that is facing east. The temple is surrounded on all four sides by statues of elephants, two on each side.

Shri Mahaganapati, Ranjangaon The temple of Maha Ganapati is very close to the centre of the town Ranjangaon. The temple was erected during the rule of the Peshwas. The temple was built by Sardar Kine.

Shri Ballaleshwar, Pali The Ballaleshwar Vinayak is situated in district Raigad, Taluka Sudhagad in the Village Pali. Pali is about 30 kms from Karjat.

Shri Moreshwar, Morgaon The Mayureshwar or Moreshwar temple is along the Karha river in the Morgaon village.Read the story of demon king Sindhu.

- See more at: http://balsanskar.com/english/lekh/cid_47.html#sthash.qpKb8oRW.dpuf