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Showing posts from September 2, 2016


Bhagadatta in the Mahabharat

Bhagadatta was a great king and warrior in the Mahabharata. He ruled Pragjyotisa. In the Mahabharat war, he fought on the side of the Kauravas. As per the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhagadatta was born from the limb of asura called Biskala. Bhagadatta was a friend of Pandu. But the triumphant tour of Arjuna in connection with the Rajasuya Yajna performed by Yudhisthira evoked feelings of jealousy in the heart of Bhagadatta. He fought against Arjuna who defeated him. He accepted defeat and congratulated Arjuna on his supreme courage. In the Mahabharata war, Bhagadatta wounded King of Virata, Ghatotkcha, Bhima, and numerous other warriors. The fight between Arjuna and Bhagadatta was of epic proportion. Bhagadatta used Vainavastra given to him by Vishnu against Arjuna. But Arjuna was able to fend it off. Finally, Arjuna killed Bhagadatta. Vajradatta his son also was killed by Arjuna.

Nandi Bull with the Head of a Horse in a Tamil Nadu Shiva Temple

The customary Nandi bull at the Murappanadu Kailasanathar Temple in Tirunelvelli district in Tamil Nadu has the head of a horse. This Shiva temple is one of the Nava Kailasam temples . As per the story associated with the temple, a king the region had a daughter with the face of a horse. He offered prayers to Shiva to find a relief. Shiva one day appeared in the dream of the king and asked him to take a holy dip in Thamiraparani River at Murappanadu and offer prayers to the Shivling there. The king soon performed all that Shiva told in the dream. Soon the princess got back the human face.  It is believed that Shiva asked Nandi to take the face of a horse to cure the princess. Nandi with horse head faces the main Shivling worshipped in the temple. Related Murappanadu Kailasanathar Temple – Fifth Nava Kailasam Temple