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Showing posts from April 30, 2016


Angusha Purusha - God who controls elephants in Hindu Tradition

Angushapurusha, or Angus Purushan, is the deity who controls elephants as per Hindu tradition. Angusha or Ankus is goad – the long stick with sharp edges used to control elephants. Purusha is the deity that holds the goad. Legend has it that saints realized that elephants can be extremely dangerous to human beings. So they offered prayers to Hindu God Kartik (Muruga or Subrahmanya ). Kartik who realized the difficulties asked Brahma to create a deity that will keep the elephants under control. This deity is Angushapurusha. Angushapurusha has deep red eyes and huge teeth. He is distinguished by his beautiful golden crown. He has two arms and his weapon is goad. He has four different types of goad – shaped like lightning, like a new moon, like nail and with pointed edges like thorns. The popular belief is that all elephants are sacred of Angushapurusha.

Jambavan – The Story of the Origin of Jambavan

Jambavan is one among the Chiranjeevi in Hindu tradition and he had witnessed all the nine avatars of Vishnu. For most people, Jambavan is the old and wise sloth bear character in Ramayana. The story of the origin of Jambavan is very interesting and there are two popular versions of it. Legend has it that Jambavan appeared from the mouth of Brahma. This happened when Brahma was yawning. Another legend has it that the demons Madhu and Kaitabha had challenged Brahma for a war. Brahma got sacred and he started sweating profusely and from the sweat appeared Jambavan. Madhu and Kaitabha were later vanquished by Goddess Durga. It is believed that Jambavan got his name after he had first climbed a mountain named Jambunanda.