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Showing posts from December 26, 2017


Story of Menaka, Mother of Goddess Parvati

Menaka was the wife of Himavan, the king of mountains. The story as to how Menaka became the mother of Goddess Parvati is mentioned in the Puranas. In her previous birth, Menaka was the mind-born daughter of Swadha and Vairajas, a pitr. Once, during a visit to Vaikunta she did not show respect to Brahma’s manasaputras – Sanaka, Sanadana, Sanatana and Sanat Kumara.  Sanaka cursed Menaka that she would be born as human being on earth.  A devastated Menaka begged for mercy. Sanadana told Menaka that the curse could not be taken back. However, on earth she will marry Himavan, the lord of mountains, and she will be the mother of Goddess Shakti, when she incarnates as Goddess Parvati on earth. As a result, she would earn untold merits and will get back her position in heaven.

Aurva Rishi – Vedic Seer

Aurva Rishi is known as Aurva Bhrigu in the Rig Veda. There is confusion among scholars as the Aurva and Bhrigu are two different Rishis or one Rishi. Sayana, the famous commentator of Vedas, consider Aurva Bhrigu as one name. Aurva, meaning “descendant of Uru or Urva”, seems to be a patronymic name of Bhrigu himself. Aitareya Brahmana (VI. 33) also indicates that it is a single name. Pancavimsa Brahmana (21.10.6) refers to two Aurvas (two sons of Uru Sayana Bhrugu was the son of Varuna. However among the list of rishis belonging to Jamadagnya Vatsa family, Aurva is mentioned as the fourth one preceded by Bhargava, Cyavana, and Apnavana. From this list of pravara rishis, it is clear that Aurava was the name of a rishi belong to the Bhrigu family.   As per Taittiriya Samhita, Aurava Rishi had no sons and he prayed to Sage Atri with a desire to have a son. Atri granted him an offspring. In Aitareya Brahmana (VI.33), the descendants of Aitasa are called the worst of the Auravas