The great devotees

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Nandini

@NandiniRaizadaa

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+ 4

Posted: 13 years ago

#11

Wow Thanks Vis , this story was so nice and so moralistic👏

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Nandini

@NandiniRaizadaa

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 13 years ago

#12

Well we can start wirth Sree Hanuman

A small biography of Sree Sree Bajranga Bali, Please correct me if there are any errors. I will change it.

Hanuman, the mighty ape that aided Lord Rama in his expedition against evil forces, is one of the most popular idols in the Hindu pantheon. Believed to be an avatar of Lord Shiva, Hanuman is worshiped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion. Hanuman's tale in the epic Ramayana - where he is assigned the responsibility to locate Rama's wife Mahadevi Sita abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka ' is known for its astounding ability to inspire and equip a reader with all the ingredients needed to face ordeals and conquer obstructions in the way of the world.

There are 10 Mahaavatars of Lord Vishmu. One of the avatars is Rama, who was created to destroy Ravana, the evil ruler of Lanka. In order to aid Rama, Lord commanded some gods and goddesses to take the avatar of 'Vanaras' or monkeys. Indra, the god of war and weather, was reincarnated as Bali; Surya, the sun god as Sugriva; Vrihaspati, the preceptor of the gods, as Tara, and Pavana, the god of wind, was reborn as Hanuman, the wisest, swiftest and strongest of all apes.

The Birth of Hanuman

The story of the birth of Hanuman goes thus: Vrihaspati had an attendant called Punjikasthala, who was cursed to assume the form of a female monkey ' a curse that could only be nullified if she would give birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Reborn as Anjana, she performed intense austerities to please Shiva, who finally granted her the boon that would cure her of the curse.

When Agni, the god of fire, gave Dasharath, the king of Ayodhya, a bowl of sacred dessert to share among his wives so they may have divine children, an eagle snatched a part of the pudding and dropped it where Anjana was meditating, and Pavana, the god of wind delivered the drop to her outstretched hands. After she took the divine dessert, she gave birth to Hanuman. Thus Lord Shiva incarnated as a monkey, and was born as Hanuman to Anjana, by the blessings of Pavana, who thus became Hanuman's godfather.

Hanuman's Childhood

The birth of Hanuman released Anjana from the curse. Before she returned to heaven, Hanuman asked his mother about his life ahead. She assured him that he would never die, and said that fruits as ripe as the rising sun would be his food. Mistaking the glowing sun as his food, the divine baby leapt for it. Indra struck him with his thunderbolt and hurled him down to earth. But Hanuman's godfather, Pavana carried him to the nether world or 'Patala'. As he departed from the earth, all life panted for air, and Brahma had to beg him to return. In order to appease him they conferred a lot of boons and blessings on his foster child that made Hanuman invincible, immortal and super powerful.

Hanuman's Education

Hanuman selected Surya, the sun god as his preceptor, and approached him with the request to teach the scriptures. Surya agreed and Hanuman became his disciple, but had to face his constantly moving guru by traversing the sky backwards at equal pace, while taking his lessons. Hanuman's phenomenal concentration took him only 60 hours to master the scriptures. Surya considered the manner in which Hanuman accomplished his studies as his tuition fees, but when Hanuman requested him to accept something more than that, the sun god asked Hanuman to assist his son Sugriva, by being his minister and compatriot.

Worshiping the Monkey God

On Tuesday and in some cases, Saturday , many people keep fast in honour of Hanuman and give special offerings to him. In times of trouble, it is a common faith among Hindus to chant the name of Hanuman or sing his hymn ("Hanumaan Chalisa ") and proclaim "Bajrangbali Ki Jai" ' "victory to thy thunderbolt strength". Once every year on the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (April) at sunrise Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman. Hanuman temples are among the most common public shrines found in India.

The Power of Devotion

The character of Hanuman teaches us of the unlimited power that lies unused within each one of us. Hanuman directed all his energies towards the worship of Lord Rama, and his undying devotion made him such that he became free from all physical fatigue. And Hanuman's only desire was to go on serving Rama. Hanuman perfectly exemplifies 'Dasyabhava' devotion one of the nine types of devotions that bonds the master and the servant. His greatness lies in his complete merger with his Lord, which also formed the base of his genial qualities. It is hard to find a mythical character who is at once so powerful, learned, philosophic, humble and amusing! Hanuman features prominently in the great epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Hanuman Meets Rama

Hanuman met Rama and his brother Lakshmana while Rama was in exile in the jungle, and searching for his wife Sita who was abducted by Ravan

Their quest brought them near Pampa Lake at the foot of Mount Risyamukha, where the monkey king Sugriva

and his ministers were hiding. Sugriva, who was being persecuted by his brother Bali, suspected that Rama and Lakshmana might have been sent by Bali to slay him. To find out the facts, Hanuman approached

them in the guise of a Brahmin.

In Service of Rama

Hanuman's initial words highly impressed Rama, and made him comment: "None can talk this way without mastering the Vedas. He has such a flawless countenance, a wonderful accent, and a captivating way of speaking. He has the ability to move even an enemy..." After he revealed his identity as the prince of Ayodhya, Hanuman fell prostrate before him in respect of the Lord. Rama picked him up and embraced him. There began the story of Hanuman, which is inextricably interwoven with Rama, and dealt with in detail in Valmiki's Ramayana and the Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas

Exciting Exploits!

To cut the long story of Hanuman short, he then introduced Rama to Sugriva, and began his massive search for Sita. Finding out her whereabouts, he consoled Sita, and burnt down the city of Lanka. Hanuman then brought Rama to Lanka, fought the battle against Ravana with his simian army, and vanquished the demons. Hanuman's greatest feat was saving the life of Lakshmana by fetching the life-giving herb "Sanjivani" from the Himalayas. He flew fast towards the Himalayas, but unable to recognise the right herb, picked up the whole mountain on his hand and flew back to Lanka, just in time to save Lakshmana. Thereafter Hanuman served Rama forever.

Hanuman and the Pandavas

The venerable ape also features in the great epic Mahabharata. How Hanuman met the valiant Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers is itself a marvelous tale. He recognized Bhima as his spiritual brother, since both were born with the blessings of Pavana, the Wind God, and promised to aid the Pandavas in the big battle of Kurukshetra. Hanuman positioned himself in the flag of Arjuna's chariot to secure and stabilize the war-craft. The triangular saffron flag of Hanuman stands for stability and equilibrium, sense-control and mind-control, and a sure sign of victory over all that is base and evil.

Jai Bajranga Bali

Edited by NandiniPS - 13 years ago

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Nandini

@NandiniRaizadaa

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 13 years ago

#13

Sree Hanumaan and Sree Shani Dev

The worship of Lord Hanuman is a panacea for the harsh effects of the "unfavourable" presence of Lord Shani. In theRamayana, Lord Hanuman is said to have rescued Shani from the clutches of Ravana and in gratitude, Shani promisedHanuman that anyone who prayed to him (Hanuman), especially on Saturdays, would be rescued from the "malefic" effects of Saturn, or at the very least, the effects would be softened.

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Nandini

@NandiniRaizadaa

Trailblazer

+ 4

Posted: 13 years ago

#14

Shree Hanuman and Kunti putra Bheem A lesson in Humility

Arjuna had gone to the Himalayas in quest of

Divine weapons from Indra. In case of war he

Would have to face invincible warriors like

Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Aswatthama, Karna

And many others. For this it was necessary to

Acquire more power. The other four Pandavas

And Draupadi found life devoid of joy in his

Absence. Desiring a change of scene, they now

Moved on in search of a more peaceful place.

At last they came to the Narayanasrama forest.

They decided to take rest and stay there for a

While. One day, the north-east wind wafted a

Flower near Draupadi. The sweet scent of the

Flower charmed her. Draupadi felt a deep desire

To possess that flower known as Saugandhika.

She requested Bhima to get her that flower. She

Was very insistent. Bhima was only too pleased

To satisfy her least desire. He forthwith set out

In the direction from which the fragrance came.

The way through the forest was far from easy.

Before long at the foot of a mountain he saw

A huge monkey resting on his path, blocking

His way. He asked the monkey to get up and

Clear the way for him. The monkey was in no

Mood to oblige. It said: "I am too old and weak

To move.You can jump over me" Proud Bhima,

Incensed by this insolence, again asked the

Monkey to move. He said 'You old monkey,

You don't know who you are talking to. I am

A Kshatriya from the Kuru race. I am the son

Of Kunti and the Wind god. I am Bhima, brother

Of famous Hanuman. So, if you offend me any

Further, you will incur my wrath. I command

You to better get up and move aside without

Wasting my time. The monkey said "If you

Are in such hurry, you can move my tail aside

And go ahead." Bhima's threats did not have

Any effect on the monkey. In stead, it asked

"Who is Hanuman. Tell me what is so great

About him. What did he do?" Bhima told him

"How can you be so silly and ignorant? Have

You not heard of the mighty Hanuman who

Jumped over to Lanka, across the sea, one

Hundred yojanas wide, to find Sita , Rama's

Wife? Indeed you are ignorant" The monkey

Only smiled. Finding no other way, Bhima

Tried to pull the monkey's tail aside .But he

Could not move it even a little bit. He put

All his might in the endeavor, but to no avail.

He was all perspiration. In spite of his best

Efforts he could not move the tail. As such

The question of challenging this monkey for a

Show of strength did not arise. He felt very

Humiliated and subdued. He told the monkey

"You are no ordinary monkey. Please tell me

Who you are. I accept defeat and bow to you".

Hanuman said "Bhima, I am that Hanuman

Which name you mentioned a little while ago.

I am your brother. Your path ahead is perilous.

It is the path of the gods and is not safe for men.

So I came to caution you. I knew you have

Come to collect the Saugandhika flower. I

Shall show you the pond, where this flower

Grows. You can collect as many as you want

And go back. Bhima was happy. He bowed

To Hanuman and requested him to show his

Huge form in which he jumped over the sea,

One hundred yojanas wide, to land on Lanka.

Hanuman increased his size till he seemed

To occupy the whole landscape, like a hill.

His form was dazzlingly white ; so Bhima

Had to cover his eyes . Resuming his normal

Form, Hanuman embraced Bhima and blessed

Him. He also assured him "When you roar

Like a lion on the battle field, my voice shall

Join yours and strike terror in the hearts of

Your enemies. I will be there on the flag of

The chariot of Arjuna .You will be victorious".

With Hanuman's embrace Bhima's strength

Had also increased. Hanuman wanted to free

His brother Bhima from his ego and to give

Him greater strength to fight his enemies.

Hanuman then took leave of his brother after

Blessing him. Following Hanuman's advice,

Bhima collected many Saugandhika flowers

From the pond and went back to present them

To Draupadi, anxiously waiting for his return.

Edited by NandiniPS - 13 years ago

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MagadhSundari

@MagadhSundari

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 13 years ago

#15

Million thanks for the beautiful stories, Vis and Nandini! Looking forward to more such contributions to this devotional thread. I have a couple of links saved on my laptop, will share within the next couple days as I'm on desktop right now. Request: while passing by the tv on my way out of the house, I once heard a story that described Jatayu's past life and explained how he earned the fortune of becoming such a legendary part of Ram avtaar... I don't remember it at all because I had to go soon but would really love it if anyone could track down the story for me, unless I myself do it first lol... I wanna say it was from Skand puraan but I don't think so, I think that one has the story of Nishaad raj Guha's past life.