Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Ganesha
The most well-known story is probably the one taken from the Shiva Purana. The goddess Parvati had started preparing for a bath. As she didn’t want to be disturbed during her bath and since Nandi was not at Kailash to keep guard of the door, Parvati took the turmeric paste (for bathing) from her body and made a form of a boy and breathed life into him. This boy was instructed by Parvati to guard the door and to not let anyone in until she finished her bath.
After Shiva had come out of his meditation, he wanted to go and see Parvati but found himself being stopped by this strange boy. Shiva tried to reason with the boy saying that he was Parvati's husband but the boy did not listen and was determined to not let Shiva enter until his mother Parvati finished her bath. The boy's behavior surprised Shiva. Sensing that this was no ordinary boy, the usually peaceful Shiva decided he would have to fight the boy and in his divine fury severed the boy's head with his Trishul thereby killing him instantly.
When Parvati learned of this, she was so enraged and insulted that she decided to destroy the entire Creation. At her call, she summoned all of her ferocious multi-armed forms, the Yoginis arose from her body and threatened to destroy all. Lord Brahma, being the Creator, naturally had his issues with this, and pleaded that she reconsider her drastic plan. She said she would, but only if two conditions were met: one, that the boy be brought back to life, and two, that he be forever worshipped before all the other gods.
Shiva, having cooled down by this time, agreed to Parvati’s conditions. He sent his Shiva-dutas out with orders to bring back the head of the first creature that is lying dead with its head facing North. The Shiva-dutas soon returned with the head of a strong and powerful elephant Gajasura which Lord Brahma placed onto boy's body. Breathing new life into him, he was declared as Gajanana and gave him the status of being foremost among the gods, and leader of all the ganas (classes of beings), Ganapati.
https://www.google.com/search?q=ganeshs+brahma
Long, long ago, at a time which nobody can visualise, Lord Brahma sat on a lotus in his abode, Satya Loka. Satya Loka also means “The Realm of Truth”.
Lord Brahma who had been busy at Creation felt tired and yawned. His yawn cracked the mountain peaks. Fire erupted from the cracks and the flames leaped to great heights. As sleep overcame him, his eyes welled, and the tears came down in torrents causing great floods. When Brahma closed his eyes, the universe was enveloped in darkness.
Soon it was time for daybreak. The Lord’s consort, Devi Saraswati, played the raga Bhoopalam, an early morning raga, on her veena. The music emanating from the veena awoke Brahma and his four faces surveyed the four directions – north, south, east and west.
The Lord saw that the floods below had risen to a great height. Amidst the layers of waves rising from the waters, he noticed a streak of bright light. The light seemed to move. Looking more intently, Brahma saw a big banyan leaf floating on the waters. On it lay a baby as bright as the full moon. The infant was sucking his thumb. As the leaf came closer, he noticed that the infant had an elephant’s head. The trunk was playing with the toes and his face was brilliantly lit. Brahma looked at the infant’s four hands with fascination. He hadn’t got over his awe when suddenly, the leaf disappeared along with the infant on it. Water receded from the place where the leaf had disappeared. Oceans and seas were formed and the earth came into being.
After the fascinating vision he had, Lord Brahma resumed his activity of creation. As mountains arose, he sprinkled water from his kamandalu on them. The water took spring and flowed down as rivers. Soon trees and plants took root on the earth. The earth was also endowed with rich elements like gems and gold. Brahma created animals and birds, insects and reptiles to live on the earth, and gifted the seas and oceans with fishes of innumerable varieties. Once again, he poured water from his jug and mixed it with clay. Lo and behold! The two forms he created with this were those of man and woman.
All this while, Saraswati was playing on the veena. Suddenly, the divine instrument struck a discordant note, and the Devi wondered what could have happened. She looked at her lord and saw that Brahma’s faces had suddenly turned pale. He rose from the lotus and peered intently at the earth. His eight eyes met with some strange sights. He was perplexed to see that everything that he had created had turned topsy-turvy.
The mountain-peaks had dived into the earth and the base of the mountains shielded the sun’s rays from reaching the earth. Trees stood upside down with the roots protruding out into the sky. The birds were flying backwards, and the fishes stood stock-still in the seas and oceans. The animals appeared grotesque with some without heads, some sans limbs or eyes or nose, and some with tails attached to their faces!
Brahma was horrified.
Now this was not how he had imagined and created them. With trepidation, his eyes turned to the human beings. Some of them had two heads – one of a male and the other of a female; some walked about with no head at all; some men had stunted legs; some women’s legs were as long as tall trees; some men had their heads facing backwards; some others had four legs and some others went about hopping on single legs. All these living beings – humans, animals, birds, and others were weeping, howling and shouting as if they were finding fault with their Creator. “O Lord Brahma! You have four heads but none of them seems to be all right! Otherwise, how could you make all of us so ugly looking?”
The Lord was completely shaken. He looked at Saraswati with some fear. Would she also appear ugly? Brahma asked aloud: “Why and how have my creations turned so distorted? I had conceived their shape, size, colour and character, and had created them accordingly. I can’t believe what I see now!” Brahma in his anxiety spoke so loudly that his words echoed from all corners of the universe. As he looked around, he once again saw a streak of light coming towards him. It was from a figure which had an elephant-head, and four hands which held a string of rope, a pot, an axe, and a goad. The face was as bright as the moon. The brilliance had spread up to the skies.
Saraswati was then playing Aum (omkaram), the supreme sound, which reverberated all over the universe. As she saw the brilliant figure, her fingers spontaneously strummed a hymn of salutation to the elephant-headed figure. Later, she played several ragas in praise of the divine form. The elephant-headed figure blessed Brahma, who now acquired a lustrous aura around him. Brahma’s hands folded automatically into a namaskar. He paid obeisance to the figure and said: “O Benevolent One, may I know who you are. Please forgive me for I am not able to recognise you. Kindly shower your blessings on me!”
“My son, Brahma deva!” said the figure affectionately. “You may conceive many things, and resolve to do many things but all of them may not happen, because there could be obstacles. I am the one who removes obstacles to help fruition of whatever one imagines or desires to happen. I am, therefore, called Vighneswara or Remover of obstacles. I am the master ofPanchabhootas or the five ganas, who are the attendants of Siva. Therefore, I am also known as Ganapati. I can control and rein in even mighty destroyers like the mad elephants that trample over ripe fields and grasslands. You may call me Vigneshwara in future”.
Brahma wanted to know why all his creation had become distorted. “That was to teach you about obstacles”, said Vighneswara. “When I first appeared to you as an infant on a leaf, you did not understand the significance of the vision that you saw. And so you did not care to think of me, the Remover of obstacles. It did not occur to you to pray to me. If you want to remove obstacles, you must first offer prayers to me. As I told you, I control and check all hurdles. If anyone prays to me before attempting any activity, then they will surely be successful.
“Do you know what it means to be praying to me before commencing a task? It only means that you must launch into a task with your eyes fully open; you must know the obstacles you are likely to face on your way. I am nothing but the personification of that knowledge of obstructions and difficulties. Whoever starts a new task, be it Brahma himself or a mere man, it is important that he knows the full extent of his work, the risks and responsibilities that go along with it. Only one who is forewarned and forearmed can even dream of success. The elephant tests the strength of the ground with its trunk before moving forward. Among the animals, the elephant is the largest and the most intelligent. It is vital to be as intelligent as an elephant and it is to indicate this that I have assumed the head of an elephant. As I am elephant-headed, I am also known as Gajanana.
Lord Ganesha continued, “While you were asleep, a demon called Somakasura stole the four Vedas and hid them somewhere in the ocean. Lord Vishnu then incarnated as a fish and killed the demon and retrieved the vedas, and gave them to me. Once you receive those Vedas from me, you will not face any obstacles to your activityâ€. Lord Brahma gratefully accepted the four vedas that were handed to him by the elephant-headed god. He began singing in praise of Vighneswara, and promised that he would offer prayers to him before he started his activity. “Please bless me so that my task proceeds smoothly.”
Vighneswara turned to Brahma, saying, “Here, I withdraw all that you created till now. Creation is an art, and should not be made a degrading activity. You must make the universe a creation of beauty.
After blessing Brahma, the elephant-headed figure disappeared. At that time, Saraswati was playing another Carnatic raga called Hindolam. A bright light lit the sky. Lord Brahma once again started creation after chanting “Aum Vighneswaraya namaha!”
His chanting was heard all over the universe. All that he created now were perfect in shape and size, and looked beautiful. After seeing the creations, Saraswati was inspired to play different ragas.
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Gayatri
Saraswati / Tube
http://dhevee.com/content/saraswati-gayathri-mantra
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Saraswathi+Gayathri
Brahma
http://9dozen.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/brahma-gayatri-its-meaning-and-its-importance/
http://gosai.com/writings/brahma-gayatri-bhasya-sri-gayatri-nigudhartha
http://www.bvml.net/SBRSM/gosgd.html
Monday, October 17, 2022
Saturday, October 15, 2022
thirty
https://www.google.com/search?q=thirty+days+in+a+month+of+Brahma
The thirty days in a month of Brahma are named as follows:
- Bhavodbhava,
- Tapobhavya,
- Rtu,
- Vahni,
- Varahaka,
- Sayitra,
- Asika,
- Gandhara,
- Kusika,
- R?abha,
- Khadga,
- Gandhariya,
- Madhyama,
- Vairaja,
- Nisada,
- Meghavahana,
- Pancama,
- Citraka,
- Jnana,
- Akuti,
- Mina,
- Darasa,
- Brmhaka,
- Sveta,
- Lohita,
- Rakta,
- Pitavasas,
- Siva,
- Prabhu and
- Sarvarupa.
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Kotitirtha
https://www.google.com/search?q=Kotitirtha
Arjuna said:
1. How did Koṭitīrtha originate, O sage? By whom was it made? How is it that the merit of a crore of Tīrthas is obtained here, O sage?
Nārada said:
2. When this spot was established by me, Lord Brahmā, the grandfather (of the worlds), was propitiated and brought from his world (Brahmaloka).
3-4. Then, at midday, Lord Vidhi (Brahmā) remembered a crore of Tīrthas for the sake of his bath. On being remembered, they all came here—
- one million from Svarga,
- seven million from the earth and
- two million from Pātāla. All of these came on being remembered.
5. When Pitāmaha began his worship, O leading scion of the family of Kuru, Liṅgas too came in the same number.
6-11. After performing the ablution and worshipping the Liṅgas and after concluding the midday rites, the Lotus-born Lord lovingly granted me boons.
Thereafter, a lake was mentally created by the Lord. Lord Prajāpati was adored by those Tīrthas and was asked:
“O Lord Dhātā, what shall we do? Command us.”
On hearing those words of the Tīrthas, Bramnā, the Prajāpati spoke: “All the Tīrthas should stay here in this lake. Since I worshipped all the Liṅgas, all the Liṅgas should stay in a single Liṅga. The devotees shall get the benefit of the holy bath in all the crores of Tīrthas as well as that of the worship of a crore of Liṅgas. They shall get the benefit of charitable gifts too in the same manner, if my words are true.
If anyone performs Śrāddha here and offers rice balls in accordance with the injunctions, the Pitṛs will be propitiated everlastingly. There is no doubt about it.
12. If anyone takes his holy bath and worships Lord Koṭīśvara without thinking about anything else, he will obviously obtain the benefit of worshipping a crore of Liṅgas.
13. By taking his bath in Koṭitīrtha, one gets the benefit of (baths in) all the Tīrthas in the three worlds and in all the rivers beginning with Gaṅgā.”
14. After granting the boon thus, Lord Brahmā went to his region (Brahmaloka). Ever since then, Koṭitīrtha became well-renowned.
15. Formerly the excellent Devas beginning with Brahmā performed many Yajñas on its banks. Thereafter, they attained great Siddhi.
16. Formerly, O sinless one, penance was performed by the excellent sages beginning with Vasiṣṭha. Other ascetics too obtained everything they desired in their minds.
17-18. Formerly, penance was performed, O son of Pṛthā, here in this Tīrtha by Atri. An excellent Liṅga was installed to the south of Koṭitīrtha (by him). It is called Atrīśvara Liṅga. It is destructive of great sins. After installing that Liṅga, he made an excellent lake in front of it.
19. After taking his holy dip there and worshipping Atrīśvara, if any man performs Śrāddha carefully, he shall dwell in the world of Rudra for a long time.
20. It is reported, O mighty-armed one, that penance was performed and Yajñas were performed by sage Bharadvāja in the excellent lake Koṭitīrtha.
21. The exceedingly charming Liṅga Bharadvājeśvara was installed. After making a very beautiful lake there, be obtained a great pleasure.
22. After taking his bath there, a man should perform Śrāddha with great devotion and in accordance with the injunctions. After worshipping Bharadvājeśvara, he is honoured in the world of Śiva.
23. Further, the holy Lord, sage Gautama performed a very severe penance at this Koṭitīrtha with the hope of a re-union with Ahalyā.[1]
24. The intelligent (sage) realized union with Ahalyā, thanks to the power of this Tīrtha. He derived a great pleasure (thereby).
25. The holy Lord installed a great Liṅga at this holy spot. It is named Gautameśvara. It is on the banks of the lake Ahalyāsaras.[2]
Arjuna said:
26. O Brāhmaṇa, when was this great lake dug by Ahalyā? Tell me the cause of this Ahalyāsaras in its entirety.
Nārada told:
27. It is reported that in ancient times, Ahalyā, due to her union with Indra, was cursed by Gautama. She then felt extremely sorry for it, O Phālguna.
28. Thereafter, the sage who was very much depressed and miserable, performed a penance at Koṭitīrtha. As a result of that penance, O son of Pṛthā, he was re-united with Ahalyā.
29. Then the chaste lady became extremely delighted. She created an exceedingly meritorious lake in this excellent spot, filled with the water of (all) Tīrthas.
30. A devotee should perform holy ablution in the Ahalyā-saras and then offer rice-balls (to Pitṛs). By properly worshipping Gautameśa he goes to the world of Brahmā.
31. Many sages who were free from impurities have performed severe penances, O excellent one among men, at Koṭitīrtha and have attained the greatest Siddhi (i.e. liberation).
32. Formerly, austerities, charitable gifts and sacrifices were performed by many kings at this holy spot. They have attained the greatest Siddhi (thereby).
33. If anyone propitiates a single Brāhmaṇa with sumptuous food on the banks of this holy Tīrtha, due to that faith, it is as good as a crore (Brāhmaṇas) propitiated.
34-36. If any man, O son of Pṛthā, gives different kinds of jewels, cows, plots of lands, gingelly seeds, cereals and different kinds of clothes to Brāhmaṇas with great sincerity and faith, it has merits a hundred crores of times, thanks to the power of Koṭitīrtha. If anyone promises anything to Brāhmaṇas at Koṭitīrtha but does not give it, he causes a hundred and one generations of his family to fall into the exceedingly terrible hell Raurava. Afterwards he himself falls into it.
37. At the advent of the month of Māgha (January-February) early in the fine morning, when the Sun is in the zodiac Capricorn, a devotee should take his holy bath here. Listen from me to his merit.
38-41a. The merit that is acquired in all the Tīrthas, the benefit derived from all Yajñas, all charitable gifts and holy rites—all this can be obtained by a man in Koṭitīrtha everyday. There is no doubt about it.
If a man performs Śrāddha here, when the Sun is in the zodiac Kanyā (‘Virgo’), the Pitṛs get that satisfaction which they do not derive even from Gayā Śrāddha.
At the advent of the month of Kārttika (October-November) if anyone performs holy ablution etc. it will have everlasting benefit in accordance with the words of Brahmā.
41b-43. By performing a single Yajña here, one attains the benefit of a crore of Yajñas. By giving a virgin in marriage according to Brāhma rite, the benefit derived is a crore of times, since all charitable gifts in Koṭitīrtha have a crore of times more benefit.
One shall gives up one’s life at Koṭitīrtha, thinking of Mādhava in the heart. O son of Pṛthā, he will have heavenly pleasures for a long time. He will attain everlasting goal (of Mokṣa).
44. Groups of Devas beginning with Brahma worship the person who casts off his mortal body in the excellent sacred place Koṭitīrtha.
45-47. If the body of anyone is cremated on the banks of this Tīrtha, if the bones are cast into the Mahī-Sāgara-Saṅgama, O son of Pṛthā, even the Lord of Speech is not capable of expressing his benefit. It is after knowing thus, O son of Pṛthā, that one resorts to the great holy spot Koṭitīrtha everyday. Its benefit is on a par with that of the gift of a thousand tawny cows everyday. Hence this is the rarest (holy spot) in heaven, earth and the nether worlds.
Source
https://freeglobaluniversity.blogspot.com/search/label/Skanda
Pulastya
Monday, August 29, 2022
Sunday, August 28, 2022
Taraka
1. Having assumed the form of Markas Devas who had been humiliated thus, accompanied by Mahendra, went to the abode of the Self-born Lord.
2. Thereupon, Brahma who was surprised, spoke to those leading Suras, “Stay here in your own forms. There is no fear from Taraka here.”
3. Thereupon, Devas who resumed their own forms and whose lotus-like faces had become faded, bowed down to him like sons bowing down to their father. All of them eulogized him then:
4. “Obeisance to you, the source of the universe, the cause, the protector and the annihilator of the universe. Obeisance to you. O lord, these are the three states of yours:
5 . At the outset, you created the waters and cast semen virile therein. It became the Golden Egg in which the worlds including mobile and immobile beings (took shape).
6 . In the Vedas they call you one with the Cosmic Form ( Virad-riipa). 1 Your single form is like this: Patala is the root (i.e. sole) of the foot. The heel and the foot are Rasatala.
7-8. Mahatala is the ankle; Talatala is the calf; Sutala is the knee; Vitala and Atala are the thighs; the surface of the earth is the hip; the sky-surface is the navel; the region of the luminaries is the region of the chest and the heavenly world is called the arras.
9 . The world of Mahah is the neck; Janaloka is glorified as the .face; Tapoloka is the forehead and Satya Loka is cited as the head. .
10. The sun and the moon are the eyes; the cardinal points are the ears and the Asvins the nose. The expounders of the Vedas say that you are the Atman abiding in the Brahmarandhra (‘the aperture on the crown of the head ) describe the Cosmic Form (Virad-rupo) of god Brahma.
11. Those who remember this Virdd Pupa and worship it become rid of the bondage of births and attain you, the Supreme region.
12. Thus they praise: You are gross as stationed in the middle of living beings; your subtle form is meditated upon in imagination. Therefore, the Vedas say that you are omnipresent O Lotus-born, to you we offer worship assuredly {id).”
Source
https://freeglobaluniversity.blogspot.com/search/label/Skanda
Friday, August 26, 2022
Saturday, August 20, 2022
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
colour
1. Brahmâ said :--O Nârada! I have described to you what you asked me just now about the creation of this universe, etc. Now hear with attention the colour of the three qualities, as well their configuration and how they are seen to exist.
2-3. The Sattva Guna is the source of pleasure and happiness; and when happiness comes, everything seems delightening. When integrity, truthfulness, cleanliness, faith, forgiveness, fortitude, mercy, bashfulness, peace and contentment arise in one's heart, know certainly that there has arisen firmly the Sattva Guna in that man.
4. The colour of the Sattva quality is white; it makes one always like religion, and have faith towards good purposes and discard one's tendencies towards bad objects.
5. The Risis, the seers of truth classify Sraddhâ (faith) under the three headings: Sâttvik, Râjasik and Tâmasik.
6. The quality Rajas is of red colour, wonderful and is not pleasant; it is the source of all troubles; there is no doubt in this.
7-8. The intelligent should understand that Rajas has certainly arisen in him, when his mind is filled with hatred, enmity, quarrelsome feeling, pride, stupification, uneasiness, sleeplessness, want of faith, egoism, vanity and arrogance.
9-11. The quality Tamas is of black colour. From Tamas arises laziness, ignorance, sleep, poverty, fear, quarrels, miserliness, insincerity, anger, aberration of intellect, violent atheism, and finding fault with others. The wise should think that Tamas has overpowered him when the above qualities are found to possess him. When this Tamas quality is attended with the Tâmasî faith, then it becomes the source of pain to others.
12. The well wishers should manifest in themselves the Sattva qualities, control the Râjasic qualities, and destroy the Tâmasic qualities.
13. These three qualities are always found to remain intermingled with another, and each of them has always an inherent tendency to overcome the others; and therefore they are always, as it were, at war with another. They never have a separate existence from one another.
14. Never is found anywhere only one Sattva quality to the exclusion of others, the Rajas and Tamas; similar is the case with the Rajas or Tamas. They remain intermingled and depend on one another.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk03ch08.htm
morning Gāyatrī (who is white), mid-day is Sāvitrī (who is red), evening is Sarasvatī (who is black or dark blue).
https://freeglobaluniversity.blogspot.com/search/label/Color
Friday, August 5, 2022
Thursday, August 4, 2022
Sandhya
The Shiva Purana describes
her as being Sandhya the mind-born daughter of Brahma
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arundhati
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Friday, July 29, 2022
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Mangueshi
The Mangesh Linga is said to have been consecrated on the mountain of Mangireesh (Mongir) on the banks of river Bhagirathi by Brahma, from where the Saraswat Brahmins brought it to Trihotrapuri in Bihar. They carried the linga to Gomantaka and settled at mormugao, on the bank of zuari river present day called Kushasthali (modern day Cortalim).and established their most sacred temple there.
Sunday, July 3, 2022
Friday, June 24, 2022
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Monday, May 23, 2022
Aurangzeb
Muhammad Iqbal, considered the spiritual founder of Pakistan, compared him favorably to the prophet Abraham for his warfare against Akbar's Din-i Ilahi and idolatry
https://freeglobaluniversity.blogspot.com/search/label/Aurangzeb
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Monday, May 9, 2022
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Friday, April 29, 2022
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Sringeri
It is believed that Goddess Sharadambika is the incarnation of Goddess Saraswati, who came to Earth as Ubhaya Bharathi. It is a common faith that by worshiping her, one can receive blessings of Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu along with Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. The ritual of Aksharabhyasa performed here is considered to be sacred and fulfilling. The parents of kids in the age of 2-5 are given a slate and chalk or alternatively, a plate of rice on which they pray to Goddess Saraswati and the Guru to impart good knowledge and education to their children.
http://0sh8.blogspot.com/search/label/SringeriSharadaBharathi
Monday, March 14, 2022
Friday, January 14, 2022
About Me
1 Sara = Saraswati 2 Hagar = Gayatri 3 Keturah = Savitri
