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Showing posts from October 29, 2018


Story of Ganesha as Vighneshwara – Lord of Obstacles - How Ganesha Became Vighnahara? - Removes Obstacles

Ganesha is Vighnahara and also Vighneshwara – the one who removes obstacles and also one who creates obstacles. Ganesh is believed to have appeared as Sri Vigneshwara at Ojhar. There is a popular story which narrates how Ganesha came to be known as Vighneshwara. Legend has it that Maharaja Abhinandana, King Hemavati, performed a great sacrifice (yajna) which had the power to overthrow Indra. Kala was deputed by Indra to destroy the yajna. Kala appeared as Vighnasura and stopped the sacrifice of the king of Hemavati but also started disrupting all other sacrifices. This led to rise of Adharma and all kinds of unimaginable atrocities on earth. To vanquish Kala, saints and people approached Ganapati. To defeat Vighnasura, Ganpati was born as the son Parsva and Dipavatsala. When Vighnasura came to know about the birth of Ganesha, he knew he could not defeat Ganesh. So he surrendered unconditionally before Ganapati. Vighnasura asked Ganesha to take his name as his

Story of Python Capturing Bhima in Mahabharata - Yudhisthira Releasing Bhima

The story involving Bhima, Python and Yudhisthira is mentioned in the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata. The story has it that a python caught Bhima in its coils; despite his immense strength, Bhima was unable to free himself. Yudhisthira then comes in search of Bhima and is puzzled how the strong Bhima is in the coil of a python. The python then explains to Yudhishtira that Bhima will only escape if someone answers his questions correctly. The question and answer session begins and Yudhisthira correctly answers all questions. Yudhisthira who was amazed by the knowledge of python and himself asks it several questions. When the question and answer session was over, the python releases Bhima and suddenly turns into a human being. The man then narrates his story. His was King Nahusha and was from the same lineage of the Pandavas. He was cursed by Sage Agastya due to his pride and arrogance. The sage had then predicted that he will get back the human form when a man answers c

Why is Shiva Blue in Color? - Reason For Blue Colour Skin of Shiva

Shiva is depicted having blue skin color. Why is he not shown in normal human skin color? Hinduism is full of symbolisms and the blue colour skin of Shiva is also a symbol. Blue is the color of the infinite. All Hindu gods are an attempt by the human mind to give form to the formless Brahman (The Supreme Truth or God in Hindu Religion). The color blue symbolizes immeasurable and all pervading reality – formless Brahman. The blue color thus teaches us that what appears as Shiva is the all pervading reality. Brahman (the Supreme Reality) takes a particular form to satisfy the human mind. The blue color also indicates like the sky that what we have so far understood about the Supreme Truth is only one aspect. The Supreme Truth has 'n' number of forms. Shiva is also shown in red, ash and black color. All these colors are associated with infinity. Blue Throat of Shiva Shiva is also known as Neelakanda – one with blue throat. This is because when the ocean of m

Story of Bhakti Devi and Sons – The Merits of Reading Bhagavad Purana

A symbolic story mentioned in the Padma Purana extols the merits of reading Srimad Bhagavad Purana. The story is associated with Bhakti Devi and her sons. Legend has it that Bhakti Devi and her sons who were residing in South India , decided to walk up to Gokula. The two sons of Bhakti Devi were named Jnana and Vairagya - they remained aloof from the society. During the long walk the mother and two sons became aged. But as soon as they entered Gokula, Bhakti Devi became young again. But her two sons remained old. Bhakti Devi asked Sage Narada who was at the time in Gokula to turn her sons young again. Sage Narada took the help of Sanakadi Rishis. The Rishis asked Sage Narada to read out the Srimad Bhagavata Purana to the two sons. When Narada narrated the Bhagavad Purana the sons of Bhakti Devi became young again. This story symbolically suggests that gaining jnana and practicing vairagya should not make a person aloof from society. He should not put on the garbs

Story of Sunda and Upasunda – Downfall Due to Infatuation of Apsara Tilottama

Sunda and Upasunda were two demon brothers. They were very powerful and ruled over the world. But sexual infatuation caused their downfall. Legend has it that Sunda and Upasunda got the boon that they will never be defeated by Devas, Demons or humans or animals as long as they fought together. The prosperity of their clan and family depended on the unity among the two brothers. Together they drove out Devas from heaven. They defeated Indra and ruled the three worlds. They made Amaravati, the capital of Devas, as their new home. Devas realized that it was impossible to defeat Sunda and Upasunda through force. So they resorted to trickery. Tilottama, one of the most beautiful Apsaras in heaven, was deputed for the job. She seduced the two brothers. The moment the brothers saw Tilottama, they lost their senses and wanted to make her their wife. Tilottama agreed to become the wife of the strongest among Sunda and Upasunda. Soon argument ensued among the two brot

Story of Sri Yantra - How Adi Shankaracharya Came To Know About Sri Yantra?

Sri Yantra is one of the most popular Yantras and it symbolically represents Mother Goddess Shakti. The story of the greatness of Sri Yantra is associated with Adi Shankaracharya and Shiva. As per Hindu scriptures, once Adi Shankaracharya did penance on the Kailash. He performed various austerities and this pleased Shiva. Shiva then appeared before Adi Shankara and granted him a boon. The holy saint did not wish anything for himself. Instead he asked for a permanent solution for finding peace and prosperity in the world. Shiva then narrated about the greatness of Sri Yantra. He said that Mother Goddess resides in the Sri Yantra and therefore proper worship of it helps in attaining peace, prosperity and liberation.

Uddhava Gita Teachings - Advices Given By Lord Krishna To Uddhava

Uddhava Gita is part of the Srimad Bhagavatam. It consists of the advices given by Lord Krishna to Uddhava. This is a collection of teachings from the Uddhava Gita. With a pure mind one observe in all begins as well as in oneself only Me (Lord Krishna), the atman, who am both inside and out, and unobstructed like the sky. O great soul, he who, taking his stand on pure knowledge, thus regards and honors all beings as Myself, who has the same attitude towards a Chandala as well as a Brahmana, a thief as well as a patron of the Brahmanas, a spark of fire as well as the sun, and a ruffian as well as a kind man is considered a sage. Ideas of rivalry, jealousy, pity and egoism quickly depart from a man who always thinks of Me ( Krishna ) in all men. (Uddhava Gita Chapter XXIV, verses 12 to 15) From the earth I learned to remain undisturbed Even while being oppressed By those under the sway of their own destiny The earth taught me not to deviate From the course