Sunday Story(Updated on pg 26)

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Sweet24

@Sweet24

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

#181

Why Ganesha is offered doop/durva

durva is a bunch of 5 grasses tied together

Once Siva and Parvati were playing a game of dice. For any game there has to be an umpire, who has to declare who is the winner. Siva and Parvati agreed to have Nandi (the divine bull) as the umpire. Nandi is a favorite of Siva, as he is Siva's vehicle. Although Siva lost the game, Nandi declared him the winner. It is stated that Parvati was indignant over Nandi's partiality for Siva and cursed him that he should die from an incurable disease. Thereupon Nandi fell at the feet of Parvati and pleaded for forgiveness. "Mother forgive me. Should I not show at least this amount of gratitude to one who is my master? Is it not humiliating for me to declare that my master has lost the game? To uphold his honor I no doubt uttered a lie. But am I to be punished with such severity for so small an offence?" Nandi prayed for forgiveness in this manner. Parvati forgave Nandi and taught him the means to atone for his lapse. She told him. "The Chaturdasi day in the month of Bhadrapada is the day when my son's birthday is celebrated. On that day you have to offer to my son what pleases you most (green grass)". This means that one atones for one's sins when one offers to the Lord what is most pleasing and enjoyable to him. For Nandi the most enjoyable and relishing food is green grass. As directed by Parvathi Nandi worshipped Ganapathi by offering green grass. Nandi was then relieved of his dreaded disease. His health improved and by the grace of Parvati he was redeemed.

Edited by Sweet24 - 12 years ago

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Sweet24

@Sweet24

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

#182

ASHTAVAKRA THE GREAT GURU OF VIDEHA ( RAJA JANAK )

we will learn about a famous rishi (sage) called Ashtavakra who was the spiritual advisor to King Janaka who ruled over the" Videha "empire, in the present day Bihar region. Ashtavakra was a child prodigy, well versed in the Vedas and the scriptures even as a child. He was the son of the famous sage Kahoda, who lived and preached in Bihar. When Kahoda's wife was pregnant, she would sit in on all lectured given by Kahoda, so that her baby was charged with positive vibrations from the lectures. The young foetus in his mother's womb would sincerely listen to all the lectures and absorb all the teachings. One day Kahoda made a mistake when pronouncing some verses from the Vedas, and the foetus kicked from within his mother's womb as a sign of noticing the mistake. When Kahoda's wife mentioned this to her husband, Kahoda, instead of feeling proud about his son's learning, took offense at the foetus' impudence and cursed that the boy be born with eight deformities in his body. This is why the child was named Ashtavakra (meaning, eight deformities).There was a rumor that another profound scholar called Bandi was finding other philosophers and defeating them in philosophical debates. Scholars wanted to stay away from Bandi because, Bandi would force his losers to drown in the Ganges and give up their bodies. One day, Bandi travelled to Bihar and met Kahoda and challenged him. Kahoda was a proud man, and he accepted the challenge. As one would guess, Kahoda was defeated and had to give up his body. Ashtavakra's mother had to raise the young boy.

Even at a very young age, the scholars and sages who lived in the hermitage began to notice how sharp Ashtavakra was in learning Sanskrit, and understanding the philosophy in the scriptures. Everyone began to regard Ashtavakra to be a child prodigy. Ashtavakra was curious to find out what had happened to his father. When the sages told him the fatal encounter with Bandi, Ashtavakra vowed to defeat Bandi and ask him to give his father back. After a decade of intensive learning and rigorous training from various masters, Ashtavakra felt confident that he would be able to defeat Bandi at this stage. And, as one would again guess, he did. It was a shame that the old and wise Bandi was defeated by a mere child! Now, being the winner, Ashtavakra could ask for a boon that Bandi cannot refuse. Instead of asking for the revival of his father alone, he asked that all the sages and philosophers that were defeated by Bandi be revived. Such was his kind heart!

Now Bandi explained to Ashtavakra, that he was not really the philosopher Bandi, but infact, the son of Varuna (the water God). Varuna was performing a yagna (sacrifice) and needed the smartest scholars from across the country to help him perform the task. Therefore Bandi was sent on the mission to collect the smartest people from earth and bring them to Varuna's abode ' the water. The yagna had lasted several years and had come to an end by the time Ashtavakra defeated Bandi. So Bandi immediately brought back all the sages from the water back to earth, to go back and continue their respective preaching. Kahoda was also revived now, and he felt ashamed at seeing how his cursed son had grown up to a deformed boy. He repented, and prayed to Bandi to lift the curse on his son, Ashtavakra. Bandi obliged and transformed the deformed Ashtavakra into a handsome young lad.

Edited by Sweet24 - 12 years ago

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Sweet24

@Sweet24

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

#183

There is yet another wonderful anecdote about King Janaka's devotion to his guru, Ashtavakra. King Janaka would go to Ashtavakra's hermitage everyday to listen to his teachings. On certain days, due to kingly duties, King Janaka would be a few minutes late. The other disciples who always showed up on time and followed a rigorously ascetic life were discontent about the rich King Janaka also being a disciple to the great Ashtavakra. The others also felt that Ashtavakra was being partial to King Janaka. One day, Ashtavakra decided to show the others how Janaka's devotion to learning, was far superior than theirs. As Janaka walked in late one day, Ashtavakra started the lecture saying that he was seeing a vision of Mithila (the capital city where Janaka was ruling) going down in flames that very moment, due to a random fire. After hearing this, all the other disciples panicked and rushed back home to protect their possessions and their families. On the other hand, Janaka, calmly came and sat down for the lecture. When Ashtavakra questioned him as to why he did not run to protect his belongings from his palace, he said "The only thing that is worth protecting and preserving is learning. Everything else is just material illusion." Ashtavakra was pleased to hear this answer. After an hour, the other disciples returned to the hermitage, when they found no fire. Janaka had been sitting there all along. When they learnt of Janaka's devotion, they were ashamed of their lowly thoughts and jealousy feelings towards Janaka.

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Sweet24

@Sweet24

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

#184

Hello friends

How r u?

Its a long time now, I could not post stories here: Today I am posting Pushkar Story, where u will see Brahma, Vishnu, Gayatri , Savitri and Shiv here.

Pushkar Story

The Pushkar story starts from the scene when a demon named Vajranabha (Vajranash in another version) trying to kill Brahma's children and harassing people. Brahma immediately slew the demon with his weapon, the lotus-flower.

In this process, the lotus petals fell on the ground at three places, creating three lakes: the Pushkar Lake or Jyeshta Pushkar (greatest or first Pushkar), the Madya Pushkar (middle Pushkar) Lake, and Kanishta Pushkar (lowest or youngest Pushkar) lake. When Brahma came down to the earth, he named the place where the flower ("pushpa") fell from Brahma's hand ("kar") as "Pushkar".

Brahma then decided to perform a yajna (fire-sacrifice) at the main Pushkar Lake. To perform his yajna peacefully without being attacked by the demons, he created the hills around the Pushkar ' Ratnagiri in the south, Nilgiri in the north, Sanchoora in the west and Suryagiri in the east ' and positioned gods there to protect the yajna performance. However, while performing the yajna, his wife Savitri could not be present at the designated time to perform the essential part of the yajna. Annoyed, Brahma requested god Indra (the king of heaven) to find a suitable girl for him to wed to complete the yajna.

Edited by Sweet24 - 12 years ago

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Sweet24

@Sweet24

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

#185

The Shiva attended the Yagna performed by him in the garb of a Tantric mendicant holding a skull. When Shiva was accosted for this appearance, he was piqued and filled the entire area of the yagna site with skulls. The agitated Brahma meditated to know the reason for such a situation, then he realised that the mendicant was none other than Shiva. Realising his folly, Brahma requested Shiva to attend the yagna. Shiva then attended the yagna holding the skull.

Brahma in appreciation erected a temple in honour of Shiva as 'Atpateshwar', next to his own temple. The Linga of Shiva is large and is encircled by a snake made of copper.

Edited by Sweet24 - 12 years ago

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Sweet24

@Sweet24

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

#186

Indra could find only a Gujar's daughter (in some legends, a milkmaid) who was sanctified by passing her through the body of a cow. Gods Vishnu, Shivaand the priests certified her purity; it was her second birth and she was named Gayatri. Brahma then married Gayatri and completed the yajna with his new consort sitting beside him, holding the pot of amrita (elixir of life) on her head and giving ahuti (offering to the sacrificial fire).

When Savitri finally arrived at the venue she found Gayatri sitting next to Brahma which was her rightful place. asasda Agitated, she cursed Brahma that he would be never worshiped, but then reduced the curse permitting his worship in Pushkar.

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Sweet24

@Sweet24

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

#187

Thus, the Pushkar temple is regarded the only temple dedicated to Brahma.

Savitri, thereafter, moved into the Ratnagiri hill and became a part of it by emerging as a spring known as the Savitri Jharna (stream); a temple in her honour exists here.

The first consort Savitri, who cursed Brahma, is described to be still seating annoyed and enraged in her shrine on the highest hill in Pushkar, while Gayatri afraid of Savatri's wrath sits at a lower hill at the other end, the eastern side of the lake.

Savitri temple located on the top of Ratnagiri hill, behind the Brahma temple, overlooks the Pushkar Lake and the sand dunes on its western side. It is reached by one hour's trek over a series of steps on the hill.

The temple (also made of marble) houses a statue of goddess Savitri. An early morning visit to the temple provides a good view of the lake.

Edited by Sweet24 - 12 years ago

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Sweet24

@Sweet24

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

#188

Brahma's central icon (murti) made of marble was deified in the garbhagriha in 718 AD by Adi Shankara. The icon depicts Brahma, seated in a crossed leg position in the aspect of creation of the universe (the Vishvakarma form). The central image is called thechaumurti ("four-faced idol"). It is of life size with four hands, four faces, each oriented in a cardinal direction. The four arms hold theakshamala (rosary), the pustaka (book), the kurka (kusha grass) and the kamandalu (water pot). Brahma is riding on his mount, the hamsa. The four symbols held by Brahma in his arms: the rosary, Kamandalu, book and the sacrificial implement kusha grass represent time, the causal waters from which the universe emerged, knowledge and the system of sacrifices to be adopted for sustenance of various life-forms in the universe. Gayatri's image sits along with Brahma's in centre to his left. Savatri sits to the right of Brahma, along with other deities of the Hindu pantheon.

Edited by Sweet24 - 12 years ago

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Sweet24

@Sweet24

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

#189

Shivji and Shani dev

First

Hindu scriptures discribe Shani Dev, the son of Surya (Sun God), as dark complextioned. Once, upset over his dark complexion, he goes to Surya and asks," Why am I so dark complexioned and ugly unlike you. This is why people worship you and no one worships me."

He told his father that he is very upset because of this. After hearing his son's plight, Surya advices him to chant 'maharutyunjay' and appease Lord Shiva as only he can solve this problem.

As advised by his father, Shani chants 'mahamrityunjaya' and worshipped Shiva. Pleased by his devotion, Shiva gives him a boon and made him one of the planets.

Shiva said that as one of the nine planets Shani will also be worshipped.

Hence, according to Hindu scriptures, chanting 'mahamrityunjaya' can also help nullify the bad effect of Shani.

Second

As per the story in our ancient religious books, Lord Sun entrusted each of his sons the work of one world. However, Shanidev was not satisfied with it and he started planning to attack the other worlds in order to take them under his territory. Lord Sun couldn't bear with such an action of Shanidev and tried his best to bring him round.

However when Shanidev didn't listen to him, he went to Lord Shiva and asked him to forbid Shanidev doing this mischievous act. Now, Shanidev did not comply with it and got ready to fight against his deity, Lord Shiva. He scarred Shiva Sena inclusive of Veerbhadra and Nandi etc. At this, Lord Shiva opened his third eye (the eye of destruction) and the slayer aspect of Shanidev in response. With the intersection of both the sights, a new and a rare auspicious bright light was created, which covered the whole world of Shanidev.

Looking at this, Shiva, the Lord of destruction attacked over Shanidev by his trident and by this attack Shanidev became unconscious. Now, Sun got restless because of the love for his son and prayed humbly to Lord Shiva to save his life.Lord Shiva was moved away at the request of Lord Sun and saved the life of Shanidev.

When Shanidev gained consciousness, he apologised from Lord Shiva and acceded to his all powerfulness and finally submitted himself to Lord Shiva, who accepted him at his service. Lord Shiva, since that day entrusted him with the responsibility of making living beings to undergo the results of their misdeeds.

Since that day, Shanidev started performing his duty. He is never partial in giving them the results of their misdeeds. He is neither a friend nor a foe to anyone. He does his duty to all; the gods or the devil gods; to an ascetic or a chaste; to a sage or a household, he treats them all equally. He (Shanidev) does not spare anyone in punishing for his misdeeds.

Edited by Sweet24 - 12 years ago

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Sweet24

@Sweet24

Voyager

Posted: 12 years ago

#190

Story Of Jalandhar

"Once upon a time, Indra was going towards Kailash mountain to have a 'darshan' of lord Shiva. Sage Vrihaspati was accompanying him.
Lord Shiva came to know about his arrival. He wanted to test his devotion towards him. While both Indra and Vrihaspati were still on their way. Lord Shiva met them on their in the guise of a hermit.
Indra did not recognize Shiva, who was sitting on the way disguised as a hermit. Indra inquired as to who he was and where he live. Lord Shiva sat quietly without saying a word. Indra repeatedly asked the same question, but each time Shiva remained quiet. Indra became furious and tried to attack lord Shiva with his Vajra.
Lord Shiva paralyzed the raised hands of Indra by his divine power. Shiva's eyes had reddened due to anger which made Indra very frightened sage Vrihaspati was able to recognize the real identity of the hermit as to who he was. He made salutations to lord Shiva and requested him to pardon Indra. Lord Shiva became pleased and diverted the power of his radiant eyes to the ocean. This way Indra's life was spared by Shiva. Lord Shiva then returned to Kailash mountain. Indra and Sage Vrihaspati to Kailash mountain. Indra and sage Vrihaspati too returned to their respective abodes.

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Sunday Story(Updated on pg 26) - Page 19

ASHTAVAKRA THE GREAT GURU OF VIDEHA ( RAJA JANAK )

Shivji and Shani dev

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