Hindu Devotional Stories

32. Mandodari's advise to Ravana

2011-05-02T01:10:00.000-07:00

After Sita's abduction, Ravana took her to Lanka and held her captive in Ashok Vatika which is a beautiful garden in his kingdom. Ravana wanted to show off his kingdom's beauty to her. Sita sat under a tree in Ashok vatika and was waiting for Rama to rescue her. Ravana didn't want to own Sita forcibly. He kept strict security around her and allotted many maids to serve her. He was proposing her everyday to be his queen to which Sita was rejecting. Ravana's wife Mandodari advised him not to do this sin and to give Sita to Rama and make friendship. Ravana was too arrogant and refused. Mandodhari asked Ravana what if Rama found out Sita's where abouts and declared a war on Lanka. Ravana was so confidant that he can win Rama. Then Mandodari reminded him two incidents.

Once king Karthaveeryarjuna (Refer Parashuramavatar) went to river Narmadha with his beautiful wives to play water games and to bath . With his powerful thousand hands he stopped the flow of water in the river, entered the river and started playing in the water with his wives. Without knowing this, Ravana also came to the same river noted the flow in the river was very less. So he put a tent on the bank of the river and entered the river had a good bath, sat near his tent, started to perform Shiva Puja. Karthaveeryarjuna decided to finish his water game after some time and and go back to his palace. So he removed the blockage of water and allowed the flow in the river. The stopped water flew with great force in the river and affected Ravana’s Shiva puja. His tent was taken away by the force of flood. Ravana was very furious at the sudden flow of water in the river and understood that it was the work of Karthaveeryarjuna. He ran towards Karthaveeryarjuna to hit him. Karthaveeryarjuna lifted him with his fingers without any effort as if he was lifting a tiny creature even before he could start the fight, took him to his capital city Magishmathi and imprisoned him. Ravana had to be in the prison for many years. After some years Karthaveeryarjuna took pity on him and released him from the prison. Later Karthaveeryarjuna was killed by Parashurama (Refer Parashuramavatar). Parashurama accepted his defeat to Rama (Refer Sita's Swayamvaram). So Mandodari asked Ravana how he can win over Rama as he couldn't even stand a chance with Karthaveeryarjuna.

Ravana had a son named Meghanath. One day Ravana mentioned Meghanath that he defeated all his enemies and should teach a lesson to Indra now. Ravana advised Meghanath to go and fight with Indra. They both fought went to heaven and challenged Indra for a battle. After a terrible battle, Indra lost and was brought to Lanka as prisoner. Ravana chained Indra to a big pillar and made him an object of fun. Finally he released Indra by request of Lord Brahma. Meghanath was given the title of 'Indrajit' (who won over Indra). People in Lanka were celebrating the victory. Sage Narada came to Ravana and praised him. Narada told Ravana that everyone in the world praising him except one. Ravana got angry and asked who as that. Narada told him that's its a big monkey named Vali ho is the king of Vanaras. Ravana pledged that he will defeat Vali and bring him to Lanka for the children to play with. He ordered his son and soldiers to get ready for battle. Narada laughed and said that it is shame to use a big troop of soldiers to fight with a monkey. So Ravana himself set out immediately to fight with Vali alone.

Ravana and Narada reached Vali's place and Narada showed Vali to Ravana who was frightened by seeing a huge monkey. Vali was praying at that time. Ravana regained his confidence and challenged Vali to fight. As Vali was busy in praying, he didn't mind Ravana's words. Ravana was screaming a lot disturbing Vali's prayer. So Vali took Ravana in a hand and tied him with his tail. Ravana couldnt move any part of his body. Vali continued his prayer and went to all rivers to take bath. All the time Ravana was tied to hs tail helplessly. Finally when Vali reached Kishkindha, other Vanaras saw Ravana and asked Vali about him. Then Vali remembered and released him. Vali asked Ravana what was the matter. Ravana couldn't say anything except requesting him his friendship. From then Vali and Ravana became friends. Mandodari asked Ravana that he failed in battle with Vali and how can he win over Rama who killed Vali. Still Ravana was not convinced and was ready to fight with Rama.

31. Searching For Sita

2011-05-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

As explained in Vali and Sugriva, Rama and Sugriva became good friends and decided to help each other. Rama promised Sugriva that he will kill Vali and make Sugriva the king of Kishkindha. Sugriva promised Rama that he will send his troops all over the world to search for Sita once he becomes king of Kishkindha. But Vali was not confidant that Rama can kill Vali. There were 9 trees in that forest and vanaras believed that ho ever can cut all those trees with a single arrow, will be capable to kill Vali. To gain their confidence, Rama strike an arrow and cut all those trees in one shot. Then Rama told Sugriva to go and challenge Vali and planned to kill Vali while he was fighting with Sugriva. As planned, Sugriva challenged Vali to fight and they started fighting. Rama hid behind a tree and waiting to strike an arrow on Vali to kill him. But as Vali and Sugriva look a like, Rama couldn't distinguish between them. Finally Sugriva lost and fled. Rama explained him about his confusion and advised Sugriva to wear a garland and fight again with Vali. Sugriva wore a garland and challenged Vali again. This time while Vali and Sugriva were fighting, Rama hid behind a tree and killed Vali with his arrow.

Before dieing, Vali asked Rama why he did wrong by not fighting face to face to which Rama explained that as Vali took his brother's wife forcibly, he is like an animal so he did right thing according to Kiratha nyayam (Rule of hunters). Rama promised Vali that Vali's son Angada will be the prince of Kishkindha and Vali died peacefully. Sugriva became the king of Kishkindha and Angada became the prince. Now its time Sugriva had to fulfil his promise. He had to send his troops to search for Sita. But due to rainy season, he asked Rama to wait till winter. Rama agreed and was waiting for winter. Sugriva was enjoying his royal pleasures and forgot about his promise to Rama. Rama asked Lakshmana to approach Sugriva and remind about the promise. Lakshmana did the same and Sugriva came to Rama will all his troops and asked his forgiveness. He divided his troops into some groups and sent them to all sides to search for Sita. Rama gave his ring to Hanuman and told him to show it to Sita if he meet her so that she can recognise him as Rama's friend.

Hanuman, Angada, Jambavantha and some other vanaras headed south side. They reached the edge of south region of India and ocean ahead. They were sad that they couldn't find Sita. While they were talking, they spoke about Jatayu who sacrificed his life while trying to save Sita. Then Jatayu's brother Sampati (Refer Story of Jatayu and Sabari) was around and heard their talk. Sampati asked them about his brother Jatayu as he was searching for him for a long time. Vanaras told him that his brother is died while trying to rescue Sita. Sampati felt sad about his brother's death and informed vanaras that while flying over Lanka, he saw Lanka's king Ravana recently with a beautiful lady who was pleading him to release herself. She might be Sita. Now vanaras were thinking how to cross the ocean to reach Lanka and confirm about Sita's presence.

30 Vali and Sugriva

2011-04-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

Vali and Sugriva are vanaras (monkeys) and sons of Surya, the sun god. Vali ruled the kingdom of Kishkindha where all Vanaras live. Vali had a boon that when he fights with anyone, half of the opponant's strength will be transfered to Vali. So he was invincible. Sugriva was a loyal brother serving him as his minister. Tara was Vali's wife and Ruma was Sugriva's wife. One day a demon challenged Vali to a fight. Vali accepted the challenge, but when he sallied forth, the demon fled in terror into a deep cave. Vali entered the cave in pursuit of the demon, telling Sugriva to wait outside. He advised Sugriva before entering cave to close the cave with a big stone if Vali didn't return back in 3 days so that demon cannot come out. When Vali did not return in 3 days, and upon hearing demonic shouts in the cave and seeing blood oozing from its mouth, Sugriva concluded that his brother had been killed. With a heavy heart, Sugriva rolled a boulder to seal the cave's opening as per Vali's advise and returned to Kishkindha and assumed kingship over the vanaras.

After some days Vali ultimately prevailed in his combat with the demon and returned home. Seeing Sugriva acting as king, he concluded that his brother had betrayed him. Though Sugriva humbly attempted to explain himself, Vali would not listen. As a result, Sugriva was ostracized from the kingdom, Vali forcibly took Sugriva's wife Ruma. From then Vali and Sugriva became biggest enemies. Sugriva tried to defeat Vali many times but failed. As per Surya's request, Hanuman joined forces with Sugriva (refer Birth of Hanuman). As per the mild curse on Hanuman, he doesn't know his own strength. He was just like any other vanara acing as Sugriva's minister. One day when Hanuman was leaving penance to Surya in the early morning, Ravana was taking away Sita on the same way. Sita removed all her garments and left it on the ground which fell directly in Hanuman's hands. Hanuman got surprised and gave them to Sugriva for safekeeping.

As per sabari's advise, Rama and Lakshmana reached Sugriva's place (refer Story of Jatayu and Sabari). Sugriva saw them from distance and doubted whether they are friends or enemies. So Hanuman disguised himself as a brahmin and approached them. When he asked Rama about his where abouts, Rama called him Hanuman and told him that the chain in Hanuman's neck is showing his real form. Hanuman remembered that his mother Anjana told Hanuman that who ever can see that chain, will be his master (refer Birth of Hanuman). So he took his real form and fell on Rama's feet. From then Hanuma started serving Rama. He introduced Rama to Sugriva. When Rama told them about Sita's abduction, Hanuman showed them the garments he found the other day. Rama confirmed them as Sita's garments. Rama promised Sugriva that he will help him killing Vali and make him the king of Kishkindha. Sugriva promised him that he will send his troops all over to search for Sita once he become king of Kishkindha.

29. Story of Jatayu and Sabari

2011-04-29T09:05:00.001-07:00

As explained in Story of Garuda, Kashyap got two sons from Vinata. One is Aruna whose egg was partly broken by his own mother Vinata out of curiosity and another is Garuda. Aruna is charioteer of Surya, the sun god. Aruna got two sons Sampati and Jatayu. when young, they used to compete as to who could fly higher. Once Jatayu flew so high that he was about to get seared by the sun's flames. Sampati saved his brother by spreading his own wings and thus shielding Jatayu from the hot flames. In the process, Sampati himself got injured and lost his wings. As a result, Sampati lived wingless for the rest of his life. Jatayu was saved by Dasaratha once while confronting with Samparasura. He is a good friend of Rama also. When Ravana was taking away Sita, Jatayu saw him and confronted. He tried to save Sita till his last breath. Ravana being stronger cut off his wings and killed him.

There was a old woman called Sabari who served for long Rishi Matanga in his ashram near Rishyamuka, and when he was ascending to heaven, he bade his disciple await the advent of Rama who would come to her, bless her, and fulfill her tapas. Sabari obeyed her Master’s command. When Rama and Lakshmana set out in search of Sita (refer Sita's Abduction), en route they killed Kabandakan who had been transformed into an Asura due to a curse. After being released from the curse, he told Rama that Sabari has been waiting for them at Mathanga rishi's ashram. So Rama and Lakshmana visited the ashram where Sabari told them that Mathanga rishi and his disciples had attained moksha and gone to heaven. She also said that Mathanga rishi had told her that Rama and Lakshmana would visit the ashram and that she could reach heaven after serving them. As part of her hospitality, Sabari offered fruits to Rama and Lakshmana before taking them around the ashram and showing the place where Mathanga rishi and his disciples did yagas. She then sought Rama's permission to leave this world. On getting his consent, Sabari entered the fire wearing deer skin and emerged out of it as a beautiful woman wrapped in a silk dress and adorned with beautiful jewels. She attained moksha with Rama's permission.

Before leaving her body, Sabari advised Rama to meet Sugriva, a vanara living near by who can help Rama with his troop in finding Sita. So Rama and Lakshmana started their journey to meet Sugriva (refer Birth of Hanuman). On the way they saw Jatayu on the ground. Rama was so sad to see him in this position. Jatayu explained him that he fought with someone who abducted Sita. He couldn't tell about Ravana's where abouts and died. Rama conducted final penance to Jatayu and started his journey to Sugriva's place.

28. Sita's Abduction

2011-04-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

As explained in Rama's Padukas To Rule Ayodhya, Rama was living on Badragiri mountain along with Sita and Lakshmana. There was a small forest called Panchawati. When Rama, SIta and Lakshmana were passing by, saints who were living in Panchawati requested them to stay there as some demons like Khara were terrorising the saints. Rama agreed and stayed there so that he can kill the demons and he can fulfil the boon he gave to Badragiri also. Rama killed many demons living in the forest and torturing the people near by. One day Ravana's sister Surpanakha (Refer Story of Ravana) was passing by and got attracted to Rama who was meditating at that time. She asked Rama to marry her to which Rama replied that he promised his wife that he wont touch any other woman in this life. Rama advised Surpanakha to approach Lakshmana who has same stature as him. Surpanakha approached Lakshmana and asked him to accept her to which Lakshmana replied that if he marry her, she will be a servant of Sita. Surpanakha got angry and told that she will kill Sita so that she need not serve to Sita. Surpanakha was about to attack Sita. Lakshmana stopped her and cut off her ears and nose.

Surpanakha went to her brother Ravana and told that Rama, Lakshmana cut off her nose and ears. Ravana got so angry that he wanted to kill Rama. Surpanakha also told him that Rama had a beautiful wife who deserves to be with Ravana. So Ravana decided to teach a lesson to Rama by abducting Sita as it will be like tit for tat to his failure in Sita's Swayamvaram also. He understood that he need some help so he called his old friend Maricha for help. Maricha's mother was killed by Rama in Panchawati and Maricha himself got defeated two times by Rama after which Maricha left everything and was meditating in a cave peacefully. Ravana provoked Maricha to help him in abducting Sita. Maricha told him that Rama will kill him if he help. Ravana told him that he will kill Maricha if he didn't help. So Maricha wanted to die in good hands and agreed to help him.

According to plan, next day Maricha showed up in the forest as a golden deer to which Sita got attracted and asked Rama to get it. Rama immediately got prepared to go after that deer. Lakshmana doubted that it might be some demon as golden deers are not real. Rama didn't fear about demons and wanted to check it out. Rama chased the deer to very long distance and finally when Rama strike an arrow to the deer, it became Maricha and screamed calling Lakshamana and Sita with Rama's voice after hearing which Sta got worried about Rama and asked Lakshmana to check. Lakshmana was so confidant that Rama was impossible to defeat. But Sita was still worried provoking Lakshmana to go after Rama. Finally Lakshmana had to go to check on Rama. Before leaving he marked a line around the hut and requested Sita not to cross it till he return which will protect Sita from any demons and went to check on Rama. At that moment Ravana approached there but couldn't cross the line so he disguised himself as a saint and begged. Sita didn't cross the line and offered food to Ravana to which Ravana acted like getting angry and asked her to cross the line. Finally when Sita crossed the line, Ravana took his real form and Sita got fainted. Ravan cut some ground with his hands on which Sita fainted and took her with out touching. Rama and Lakshmana came back to hermitage and searched for Sita all over and understood that someone abducted Sita. They started looking for her.

27. Rama's Padukas To Rule Ayodhya

2011-04-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

As explained in Sri Rama's Vanvas, Rama started his vanavas accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana. Sumanthra, a charioteer left them till banks of the river Ganga. Guha, a close friend of Rama and the leader of the hunters was ruling the place near Ganga. He came by foot to meet Rama who welcomed him with open arms treating him like a brother. Guha offered them his kingdom and told that he and his people will serve Rama. But Rama rejected saying that it is not right as he was on Vanvas. He didn't even took royal food from him but only accepted water. Rama consumed only water as his food and lay down on the floor with Sita for the night. Lakshmana watched over them with out sleeping whole night. Next day Rama asked Guha to arrange a boat to cross the river Ganga. Guha prepared the boat and washed Rama's foot. Guha himself ride the boat and bid them farewel after crossing the river Ganga.

Later Rama, Sita and Lakshmana went on the way of Atri and Anasuya's hermitage (Refer Story of Dattatreya) who heartfully invited them. Anasuya gave some herbs to Sita by using which Sita can protect her beauty even in forest. Next day they took leave from Atri and Anasuya and started their journey again. Once a mountain named Badragiri (Giri means mountain) worshipped Lord Vishnu and took a boon that Vishnu should reside on him. Now in Ramavatar, Vishnu as Rama reached to Badragiri along with Sita and Lakshmana. He told Lakshmana to build a hermitage there and they started living there. Meanwhile Bharata and Sathrugna came back to Ayodhya and with out knowing that Rama went to Vanvas, they went to Rama's place straight. When they didn't find Rama there, they knew everything happened from others. Bharata was so angry that he scolded his own mother Kaikeyi for becoming cause of Rama's exile and Dasaratha's death. He immediately started with all his family members to meet Rama. When he met Rama on Badragiri, he wept like a kid at Rama's feet and informed about their father Dasaratha's death. Rama also felt sad and they did last penance to their father in river Ganga.

Bharata requested Rama to come back and rule Ayodhya. Even Kaikeyi requested Rama to do so saying that she took her boon back. But Rama said that it's his father's word that he should complete 14 years of Vanvas so he must follow it. According to rules of royalty, If any king didn't rule for 14 continuous years, he is not eligible to rule again. That's why Kaikeyi asked Rama to exile for 14 years. So Bharata told Rama that he will kill himself if Rama didnt come to Ayodhya after completing Vanvas. He asked Rama to give his Padukas (chappals) and promised that till Rama's return to Ayodhya, his padukas will rule Ayodhya on his be half. Bharata took Rama's padukas on his head and went back to Ayodhya with his family. From then Rama's padukas ruled Ayodhya till Rama's coming back to Ayodhya. That's the reason Rama could rule Ayodhya even after 14 years of vanvas.

26. Sri Rama's Vanvas

2011-04-27T01:17:00.000-07:00

Rama's father Dasaratha was famous for his miraculous ability to hunt blind and shooting arrows by hearing the sound only. Once during hunting, Dasaratha heard a noise resembling elephant drinking water and shot an arrow in the direction which shot an young boy named as Sravana Kumar who was collecting water in a pitcher for his blind parents. Sravana was the only child of his blind parents who were totally dependent on him. Sravana used to carry them everywhere on two pans of balance supported on his shoulder. Sravana asked Dasaratha, as his dying wish, to carry water to his thirsty parents. Dasaratha carried the water to the old couple and they drank the water thinking that it was being offered by their son. The king then hesitantly narrated the death incident of Sravanakumar to them. The old couple was so distressed that Sravana's father cursed Dasaratha that one day he too would suffer from Putrasoka (grief of separation from one's son). The old couple then sacrificed their lives, as they did not want to live anymore after consuming water offered by their son's killer.

Once Dasaratha also fought for the gods in the battle against demons and his last wife Kaikeyi acted as his charioteer who saved Dasaratha's life during the battle. Dasaratha was so pleased with Kaikeyi that he asked her to wish two boons on which Kaikeyi said that she would ask when she wished to avail them. After his sons' marriage, Dhasaratha came back to Ayodhya with his family (Refer Sita's Swayamvaram). His three wives, four sons and four daughter in laws all were happy. Janaka's brother Kushadhvaja who is now the father in law of Lakshmana, Bharata and Sathrugna invited his three son in laws to his place. Lakshmana rejected the offer as he always wanted to be with his brother Rama. Bharata and Sathrugna had to accept after Dhasaratha's advice and went to their father in law's kingdom with their wives. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, Urmila were in Ayodhya along with their father and mothers.

Dhasaratha wanted Rama to take up his duties as new king of Ayodhya. Even his three queens and all people in that kingdom were wishing for that moment. Dhasaratha consulted sage Vasishta for muhurth (right time) for Rama's Pattabhishekam (occasion from which new king will be assigned to his duties). Vasishta noted a good muhurth for Rama's pattabhishekam which was announced by Dhasaratha to all people in Ayodhya. All people were happy about it and were celebrating. Kaikeyi had a maid named Mandhara who was Kaikeyi's great confidante. When she heard the news about Rama's pattabhishekam, she was overpowered with sudden anger. She mind washed Kaikeyi saying that if Rama became king, his own son Bharata and his wife would be Rama and Sita's servants. Kaikeyi finally fall into her trap and Mandhara advised Kaikeyi to ask Dhasaratha two boons which he promised earlier. First boon will be that Bharata should be declared as king of Ayodhya instead of Rama and second boon will be that Rama should be sent into exile for fourteen years.

Kaikeyi asked Dhasaratha to grant same boons suggested by Mandhara after hearing which he was shocked and rendered speechless. After regaining his courage, Dasaratha tried to console Kaikeyi saying that he will make Bharata as King of Ayodhya and requested her to take back the wish to send Rama into exile. But Kaikeyi was adamant about her wishes which Dasaratha had to fulfil as promised. Dasaratha was terrified with the thoughts of living with out Rama and dropped unconscious. Kaikeyi called Rama and explained him that Dhasaratha was feeling grief to fulfil her wishes. Rama promised her that he will do anything to upheld his father's promise and after hearing about her boons, he agreed for Bharata's pattabhishekam and to take vanvas.

Rama seek permission from his other mothers Kousalya and Sumitra and prepared to go for Vanvas. Sita also prepared to go forest with him saying that she must accompany him as his half part. Lakshmana also prepared to follow them to serve Rama and Sita. Lakshmana's wife Urmila told his husband to serve Rama and Sita every second and that she will sleep all time on be half of Lakshmana also. From then till they reach Ayodhya back, Lakshmana didn't sleep at all and Urmila slept for the whole time. After Rama left Ayodhya, Dasaratha could not bear the pain of the separation from his most beloved son. Unable to withstand the anguish, the dispirited king Dasaratha died out of grief and pain.

25. Birth of Hanuman

2011-04-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hanuman is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He is son of Kesari, a male vanara (monkey) and Anjana, a female vanara. Anjana in her previous life was servant for celestial beings. She born as a female vanara due to a curse. according to that she should give birth to Shiva's incarnation to get rid of the curse. So Anjana and Kesari prayed Lord Shiva to beget him as their son. As explained in Birth of Rama, Dasaratha performed Putrakamisti yagna to get kids. Then Yagna purush gave him nectar by drinking which any lady can get kids. An eagle snatched a part of the pudding and dropped it where Anjana was meditating and Wind god delivered the drop to her outstretched hands by taking which she gave birth to Hanuman. Thus Lord Shiva incarnated as a monkey. Hanuman also known as Pavana Puthra (son of Pavan means wind).

The birth of Hanuman released Anjana from the curse. Before she returned to heaven, she told Hanuman that fruits as ripe as the rising sun would be his food. One day mistaking the glowing Sun as his food, Hanuman leaped for it. After reaching near to Sun, he realised that it is not a fruit. Sun knew that he is incarnation of Shiva. They became good friends. As Hanuman came to outer space and disturbing the flow, Indra struck him with his thunderbolt and hurled him down to earth. Wind god saved him and took him into a cave. As wind was not around,, all life panted for air and Brahma had to beg him to return. In order to appease him they conferred a lot of boons and blessings on his foster child that made Hanuman invincible, immortal and super powerful.

Hanuman asked Sun to be his master to which Sun refused saying that he has to roam every second on his chariot. Hanuman increased his size and kept his legs on east and west side and got ready to listen from Sun. Sun got impressed and taught him all Sasthras. Sun considered the manner in which Hanuman accomplished his studies as his tuition fees but when Hanuman requested him to accept something more than that, Sun asked Hanuman to assist his son Sugriva, by being his minister and compatriot. Hanuman was mischievous in his childhood and sometimes teased the meditating sages in the forests by snatching their personal belongings and by disturbing their well-arranged articles of worship. Finding his antics unbearable but realizing that Hanuman was just a child, the sages placed a mild curse on him by which he wont know his own ability unless reminded by another person. From then Hanuman was behaving just like any other Vanara.

Once sage Narada infatuated with a princess. He thought that if he looks like Vishnu, princess will choose him to be her husband. So he went to Vishnu and asked for a Hari-Mukh. Hari means Vishnu and Mukh means face. But Vishnu instead bestowed him with the face of a monkey. Unaware of this, Narada went to the princess who burst into laughter at the sight of his monkey face before all the king's court. Narada, unable to bear the humiliation, cursed Vishnu that Vishnu would one day be dependent upon a monkey. Vishnu replied that Narada's request for Hari has the dual Sanskrit meaning of Vanara. Due to this curse only Vishnu had to take Hanuman's help in Ramavatar. Hanuman's mother Anjana gave him a chain to wear on his neck always and told him that who ever can see that chain will be his master and Hanuman should serve him as his life duty. Hanuman was waiting to meet his master to fulfil his life duty.

24. Sita's Swayamvaram

2011-04-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

Once there was an intelligent sage Gritasmada. One day he had a very big cough and from that came a child whose main ambition was to conquer all the three worlds. That demon worshipped Lord Shiva who appeared before him and granted a boon that three(tri) houses (pura) will be created for him. One on land, another one on sky and last one in between land and sky. After 1000 years, those three will be joined and who ever destroys those three houses with a single arrow, he only can kill this demon. Till then he cant meet his death. With this boon, Tripurasura (who lives in three houses) conquered all the three worlds and gods were waiting for the right time. Once 1000 years passed, all houses joined as one. Gods prayed Shiva to save them who then prepared for battle. He ordered to build a special chariot to executed demon Tripurasura. Chariot was made of earth. Wheel was made of sun and moon. Lord Vishnu himself became arrow of Shiva's arch and the lord Bramha drove chariot. Shiva destroyed all three houses with one arrow and later killed Tripurasura.

Parashurama was gifted the bow which was used to destroy Tripurasura by Shiva for being a great disciple. Parashurama gave it to King of Mithila, Janaka for safe-keeping. That bow was so heavy that even gods can't lift it. One day Sita was playing with her friends with a ball. After some time that ball rolled under the wooden trolley on which Shiva's bow was kept. Sita could easily move that trolley aside and picked up her ball. Janaka was surprised after seeing this and knew how wonderful Sita was. When Sita's marriage was planned, Janaka announced a Swayamwaram and told that who ever can aim with Shiva's bow will be gifted with Sita. Many princes, who had heard of Sita’s beauty, came to Mithila only to return disappointed. No one could pick up the bow.

As explained at the end of Story of Ahalya, Vishwamitra was travelling towards Mithila along with Rama and Lakshmana to attend Sita's Swayamvaram. Once they reached, Janaka welcomed them with respect and explained Vishwamitra that he was so sad that he was not finding suitable husband for his daughter as no one was able to aim with Shiva's bow. Then King of Lanka, Ravana arrived there and was so proud that he can lift Shiva's bow very easily as he could lift mount Kailasha where Shiva lives. He tried to lift the bow with one hand but the bow was too heavy for him. He used two hands but failed. Then Vishwamitra sighed Rama to go and try. Rama went to Shiva's bow and bestowed to it. Then he could lift the bow effortlessly and stringed it. As the bow was too old, it broke while Rama was aiming with it. Ravana disappeared with humility. Sita approached Rama and bestowed garland on him.

Rama's family was called from Ayodhya by Janaka and marriage was celebrated grandly. Rama married Sita and Lakshmana, Bharata, Sathrugna married Urmila, Mandavi and Shrutkirti who were the daughters of Janaka's brother, Kushadhvaja. After marriage, when Dasaratha and others were about to leave with newly wed couples to Ayodhya, sage Parashurama arrived there. He was angry on Rama for breaking Shiva's bow. Janaka and others tried to pacify him but with his anger on kings, Parashurama was uncontrollable. He gave Vishnu's bow which is more heavier than Shiva's bow to Rama and challenged him to aim it. Rama could handle it easily as well. Then Parashurama knew that he is also Vishnu's avatar just like himself. Parashurama's pride was won and he promised Rama that he will return to his hermitage and never interfere with worldly matters.

23. Story of Ahalya

2011-04-25T04:45:00.000-07:00

Once Lord Brahma created a beautiful lady called Ahalya. All the gods including Indra were attracted by her beauty and they wished to marry her. Lord Brahma put a condition that he was ready to make match to the one who come back first after revolving around the earth. Accordingly all the gods set out their journey. But sage Narada knew with his yogic powers that the great saint named Goutham was suitable to her. At that time, Goutham saw a Dwamukhi cow (Dwamukhi cow means the cow in the stage of giving birth to a calf) and did pradakshina around it as it is considered as a good thing. Without wasting time Narada met Goutham and described everything and told him to marry Ahalya. Goutham asked Narada how he could win the race because other gods had already set out their journey. Narada explained him that doing pradakshina to a Dwamukhi cow is equal to doing pradakshina to the earth. Lord Brahma also agreed to give Ahalya to Goutham.

Indra felt humiliated and had lecherous dreams about her. One day he took form of a rooster and imitate rooster's call during midnight. Goutham thought its early morning and went to near by river to perform morning ablutions. While Gautam was away, Indra disguised as Gautam, approached Ahalya and satisfied his lust. Finally Gautam on return caught them and cursed Indra to have female sexual organs (Vagina) all over his body and to loose his manliness. Gautam cursed Ahalya to become a stone and he left the hermitage. Indra did severe penance toward Shiva. Shiva gave him the boon to convert that mark of female organ to that of eye. From that day Indra is called Sahasraksha, one with thousand eyes. Ahalya became stone and was suffering.

After several thousand years, as explained in Birth of Rama, Vishwamitra took Rama and Lakshmana and proceeded towards Mithila for attending Sita's Swayamvaram. On the way they walked through Goutham's hermitage. When Rama's foot touched a stone, it became Ahalya. Sage Goutham also reached there and told that Ahalya became pure after being touched by Rama's foot. Goutham accepted Ahalya as her wife again. Vishwamitra and other continued their journey towards Mithila to attend Sita's Swayamvaram.

22. Birth of Rama

2011-04-25T04:24:00.000-07:00

Ramavatar is 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The purpose of this incarnation is to upheld the supremacy of Dharma by setting an example to mankind how to live following dharma. As explained in Parashuramavatar, Parashurama spared king of Ayodhya, Dasaratha with out killing. Dasaratha belongs to solar dynasty (refer Birth of Gods And Demons) who had three wives Kousalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi but no children. So he performed Putrakamisti Yagna (Yagna for having kids) along with his wives.

After completion of Yagna, Yagna purush came out of the fire pit and gave him nectar which Dasaratha passed to his wives. They drank the nectar and soon Kousalya got Rama as her son. Kaikeyi got Bharata and Sumitra got twins Lakshmana and Satrugna. Rama was the incarnation of Vishnu, Lakshmana was the incarnation of Sankarsana, Bharata is the incarnation of Pradyumna and Satrughna is the incarnation of Aniruddha. As explained in Story of Ravana, Ravana got a boon from Brahma that he shouldn't meet his death from certain list of elements from which he forgot to add mortal men. So Vishnu took a human life to kill him. The four brothers enjoyed an undiscriminating love from Dasaratha and his three queens, but Dasaratha's main affections were affixed upon Rama. Rama and his brothers are trained by Rishi Vasishta.

When Rama was about 16 years old, sage Vishwamitra came to Dasaratha and told him that he was performing some yagna and he need protection from some demons which were disturbing his yagna. When Dasaratha accepted to go with him to help, he asked Dasaratha to send his son Rama with him. Dasaratha was shocked and pleaded him saying that Rama is still a kid and he cant send him to forest to face dangerous demons. Vishwamitra got angry and forced him again to send Rama with him. Dasaratha had to send Rama and Lakshmana with Vishwamitra by sage Vasishta's advise. Vishwamitra is a powerful sage who could create Trisanku swargam (artificial heaven) for his student. He can confront any kind of demon at will but his intention was to teach some things to Rama and provide him powerful weapons so that he will be victorious while fighting with Ravana in future. Sage Vasishta also knew this and advised Dasaratha to send Rama with Vishwamitra.

Vishwamitra taught Rama and Lakshmana so many things and taught him how to use some powerful weapons saying that they will be helpful for them to protect his yagna from demons. When Vishwamitra and other sages were performing Yagna, a demoness called Thataki came to disturb them. Rama couldnt aim arrow at her as she was female. Vishwamitra told him that she is demoness and must be killed. So Rama shot her with his arrow and killed her. Vishwamitra completed his yagna successfully and was very happy. Rama asked him many questions and gained knowledge. Vishwamitra thought that Rama is suitable person to marry Sita. So he started travelling to Mithila where Sita's Swayamvaram (where bride selects her bridegroom from the bunch of people interested). Some people say that Sita was elder than Rama when she born at Ravana's place (Refer Birth of Sita) but if we consider her age from when she was found to Janaka, she was younger than Rama.

21. Birth of Sita

2011-04-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

Sita was wife of Vishnu's 7th avatar Rama. In her previous life she was Vedavati, the daughter of Brahmarshi Kusadhvaja, who was the son of Brihaspati, guru of all gods (refer Vamanavatar). Actually she was an incarnation of goddess Lakshmi (wife of Lord Vishnu who emerged from milk ocean while churning refer Kurmavatar). Vedavati's father wanted his child to have Vishnu as her husband and rejected many powerful kings and celestial beings who sought his daughter's hand. Outraged by his rejection, a powerful demon king Sambhu murdered her parents in the middle of a moonless night. From then Vedavati was living in the ashram of her parents, meditating night and day and performing a great tapasya to win Vishnu as her husband. She was inexpressibly beautiful, in the bloom of her youth, enhanced by her tapasya.

Once Ravana found Vedavati sitting in meditation and was captivated by her incredible beauty. He proposed her and was rejected. Finding himself firmly rejected at every turn, he tried to molest Vedavati by pulling her hair. This greatly incensed her and she forthwith cut off her hair. She told him that she will born again for his destruction and entered into the fire before his eyes. Ravana also jumped in the fire searching for Vedavathi. He could not trace Vedavathi, but found three diamond pieces. He brought them to his wife Mandodari who kept them in a box. Later when the box was opened, they found a child instead of diamond pieces. Ravana tried to kill that child doubting that she may become a reason of his death as told by Vedavati. But Mandodari stopped him and asked her servants to throw the baby in the sea. The child after being thrown by the servants of Mandodari was accepted by Bhoodevi (earth goddess) as her daughter.

King Janaka was ruling Mithila. He was not only a brave king but was as well-versed in the Sastras and Vedas as any rishi. In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna cites Janaka as an illustrious example of the Karma yogin. Once Janaka was tilling his land in fulfilment of an ordained ritual. Then Bhoodevi placed the box with that baby in the way of plough. Janaka found the box with the baby and got surprised. He was childless and accepted the infant as the goddess Bhoodevi's gift to him. She was named 'Sita' means one who manifested herself at the end of the plough (Sita). Sita was also known as 'Ayonija' means one who was not born of the human womb.

20. Story of Adishesha

2011-04-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

Adishesha is a snake with 1000 heads who acts as the couch of Lord Vishnu. He born on earth as Patanjali and gave mankind the art of Yoga, Ayurveda and documented sanskrit grammer. Once Lord Vishnu was watching the enchanting dance of Lord Shiva through meditation. Vishnu was so totally absorbed in the dance of Shiva that his body began to vibrate to its rhythm. This vibration made him so heavier causing Adishesha to feel so uncomfortable that he was gasping for breath. The moment the dance came to an end, Vishnu’s body became light again. Adishesha was amazed and asked his master the cause of these stupendous changes. Vishnu explained that the grace, beauty, majesty and grandeur of Shiva’s dance had created corresponding vibrations in his own body making it heavy. Adishesha professed a desire to learn dance to which Vishnu became thoughtful and predicted that soon Shiva would grace Adishesha to take a human life to write a commentary on grammar and that he would then also be able to devote himself to perfection in the art of dance. Adishesha was overjoyed by these words and looked forward to the descent of Shiva’s grace.

Once in Darukavanam, Shiva wished to teach a lesson to the Rishis who were proud of their learning. Shiva took the form of a mendicant with a begging bowl in hand, accompanied by Vishnu disguised as Mohini. The rishipatnis (wives of the Rishis) were attracted by the sight of this beautiful pair. The Rishis grew angry and tried to destroy the pair. They performed a sacrificial fire and raised a tiger from the fire which sprang at Shiva. Shiva pealed off the skin of the tiger and wrapped it round his waist. Then again the Rishis sent a poisonous serpent and Shiva tied it round his neck. Then the Rishis sent against Shiva an Apasmara Purusha, Muyalaka, whom Lord Shiva crushed by pressing him to the ground with his foot. At this, the Rishis confessed defeat and Shiva started to dance before all the Gods and Rishis. Lord Adishesha heard the description of Shiva’s dance at Darukavanam from Vishnu and requested Vishnu to allow him to witness the dance himself. Vishnu agreed to this. Adishesha performed penance and prayed to Shiva to allow him to see the dance. Being pleased with his penance, Shiva appeared to him and promised that he would dance at Tillai (Chidambaram).

Adishesha began to meditate to ascertain who would be his mother on earth. In meditation, he had the vision of a yogini by the name of Gonika who was praying for a worthy son to whom she could impart her knowledge and wisdom. He at once realized that she would be a worthy mother for him. One day Gonika was praying to the Sun. She took a handful of water as a oblation to him and meditated on the Sun. When she opened her eyes, she saw a tiny snake moving in her palms, who soon took on a human form. That kid was named as Patanjali because her hands had been in the prayerful gesture (anjali) and he had fallen (pat) from heaven. After leading an ascetic, yogic life, Patanjali felt ready to start his life’s mission. He traveled to Chidambaram in South India where Shiva promised that he would dance. There were other great souls, divine beings, sages and yogis all ready to watch the cosmic dance. Shiva directed Patanjali to watch the dance carefully so that he could completely understand the Maheswara aphorisms and write a proper commentary to Panini’s work. Panini was considered to be a dull lad and he ran away from home and practiced severe penance. Shiva, pleased by Panini’s austerities appeared before him and sounded the drum nine and five or fourteen times. Panini became instantly learned by the grace of Shiva. The sound of Shiva’s drums transformed Panini into a gifted scholar and this sound contains all the alphabets of Sanskrit and are called Shiva Sutras. Panini who witnessed the dance wrote an elaborate text in 8 chapters the entire work of grammar, based on Shiva’s 14 Sutras but because they were terse and ambiguous, could not take roots among the people. Now Shiva wanted Patanjali to write a detailed commentary on Panini’s works so that Sanskrit would become accessible to mankind.

      Patanjali went into yogic Samadhi, so that the divine dance could be experienced and watched the dance minutely grasping the nuances of the Shiva Sutras as the sounds emanated from the drum (damaru) of the dancing Nataraja. Patanjali then left the place and very carefully wrote a great commentary (Maha Bhashya) on the Panini’s wok. The basic informations or cues of Vyakarana or grammar came from the dancing Shiva’s drum. It is also believed by musicologists that the basic seven musical notes also came from Shiva's drum. Patanjali after watching the dance of Shiva became a great dancer himself as predicted by Vishnu. When Patanjali went into Samadhi, not only was he able to witness the Cosmic Dance, but also got to experience the ultimate state of Yoga, the Nirvikalpa or Nirodha Samadhi. With that experience and the grace of Shiva he was able to write an authentic text on Yoga. Lord Siva is also known as Yogiswara, the Lord of all Yogis. He is also known as Bhaishajya or one who has the wisdom of Curing and Patanjali could get the necessary expertise on Ayurveda also from Shiva and thus wrote a medical text par excellence.

      Once all the Muni and Rishi approached Vishnu to tell him that even though they got Dhanvantari by churning milk ocean (refer Kurmavatar), people still fell ill. They also wanted to know what to do when people got sick. Sometimes it is not just physical illness, but mental and emotional illness too that needs to be dealt with. Anger, lust, greed, jealousy etc. How does one get rid of all these impurities? What is the formula to treat them? Vishnu gave them Aadishesha, the symbol of awareness, who took birth in the world as Maharishi Patanjali. So Patanjali after learning about Yoga from Shiva's dance, compiled Yoga Sootras which are being called Patanjali Yoga Sutras. Patanjali had to really work hard to propagate his work. Since he was the sole repository of the knowledge at that time, he had to teach as many people as possible. Patanjali said he was not going to discuss his Yoga Sootras unless 1000 people got together and another condition is that he would put a screen between him and his students and told them that nobody was to lift the screen or leave. Everybody had to stay in the hall till he finished.

Patanjali stayed behind the curtain and transformed into 1000 headed Adhishesha and transmitted his knowledge to the 1000 disciples gathered there. One day a little boy had to go out to attend natures call so he left the room. Meanwhile another student became curious and lifted the curtain to see the Master. But just as he did so, all 999 disciples were burnt to ashes due to dangerous poison of Adhishesha. Now, Patanjali became very sad that all of his disciples were burnt. At that moment, that one little boy returned. Patanjali asked him where he had gone. The boy explained and asked his forgiveness. Patanjali was compassionate and felt him alive. He gave him the rest of the Sootras, the rest of the knowledge. But the student had violated the law and Patanjali was not willing to forget that. So he cursed him to become a Brahm Raakshas (demon) and hang on a tree. And the only way he could liberate himself from the curse is to teach one student. That Brahm Raakshas was hanging on a tree would ask everyone who passed by, only one question and when they could not answer he would eat them. He had no choice and for a few thousand years this continued. He could not find a single person to whom he could teach the Yoga Sootras. So he remained on the tree as a Brahm Raakshas. Then out of compassion, Patanjali himself became a disciple and came as a student to Brahm Raakshas who told him all the Sootras, which Patanjali wrote on the palm leaves of that tree. Thus Adishesha gave mankind the art of Yoga, Ayurveda and documented sanskrit grammer.

19. Story of Dattatreya

2011-04-23T04:16:00.000-07:00

Dattatreya, son of sage Atri and his wife Anasuya, considered to be encompassing the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Sage Atri is one of the saptharshi (7 eternal sages in the sky) and one of the 10 brahma manasa putras (refer Birth of Gods And Demons). Anasuya was the daughter of Devahuti and Kardama Prajapathi. She was very pious, and always practiced austerities and devotion. She is a well known Pathivratha (Wife who devotes her husband) who always worships her husband. She got some miraculous powers due to this. Once Atri asked Anasuya for some water and he went into meditation before she brought water. She was holding that glass of water with out moving away from her husband for 20 years after which Atri came out of meditation and drank that water. That was the intensity of her devotion towards her husband. Sun was not being so hot at their hermitage fearing that Anasuya may curse him. Even wind was moving peacefully with out causing any problem to her. She was mother of the irascible sages Durvasa, Dattatreya and Chandra.

Once Narada went to Parvathi, Lakshmi and Saraswathi who are wives of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma respectively with some nuts and asked them to boil those nuts. They couldn't boil them. He took those nuts to Anasuya and requested the same which Anasuya could fulfil. Narada told this to Parvathi, Lakshmi and Saraswathi and told them that Anasuya made it possible with her devotion towards her husband. Parvathi, Lakshmi and Saraswathi were puzzled about Anasuya being more powerful than them. They asked their husbands to test Anasuya's wifely chastity. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came to Anasuya in disguise of sages who were welcomed by Anasuya and offered food. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva told her that they are following some penance due to which she has to serve them food with out any cloths. Its not right to send guests with out serving food so Anasuya agreed and with her power, she made them infants. She fed them her milk and made them sleep in cradles. Parvathi, Lakshmi and Saraswathi were worried about this and asked Anasuya's forgiveness for testing her and requested to change make their husbands normal. Anasuya did so and Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva asked her what boon she would like to have. She said that she would like to be their mother. Thus born Dattatreya with their combined powers.

Dattatreya is mostly shown with 3 heads and 6 hands showing that he is combination of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. He will be shown with 4 dogs around which symbolises 4 Vedas and a cow which symbolises creation. As explained in Parashuramavatar, Karthaveeryarjuna got his 1000 hands by worshipping Dattatreya. One day Dattatreya was walking near a palace from which the king saw him and got impressed by his supernatural brightness. King assumed that he must be a disciple of some great teacher. He immediately met Dattatreya and asked about his guru (teacher). Dattatreya told the king that he has total of 24 teachers since his childhood and he was searching for more. King couldn't believe him so he told him about his gurus which are Land, Water, Fire, Air, Sky, Moon, Sun, Pigeon, Python, Sea, Fire-fly, Butter-fly, Bee, Elephant, Stag, Fish, Prostitute, Kuru bird, Child, Maiden, Snake, Artisan, Spider and Bhringi bird. Dattatreya explained him what he learnt from each of them also. Dattatreya had many incarnations including Sri Shiridi Sai Baba. Please click here to download "Guru Charitra" to know about all his incarnations.

18. Story of Ravana

2011-04-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

Ravana was a king of Lanka (Ancient Sri Lanka) who popularly known as a villain in Ramayana but he is a great devotee of Lord Shiva and a great scholar. He has 10 heads possessing a very thorough knowledge over the 4 Vedas and 6 Upanishads which made him equal to 10 scholars. Once king of demons at that time Sumali wished his daughter Kaikesi to marry the most powerful being in the world so as to produce an exceptional heir. Kaikesi searched among all sages and finally chose Vishrava who is a son of sage Pulastya, one of the ten manasaputras of Brahma (refer Birth of Gods And Demons). Vishrava and Kaikesi got Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Ahiravana as sons and Meenakshi as a daughter. Meenakshi later got popular with name Shoorpanakha. Actually Ravana and Kumbhakarna were cursed doorkeepers of Lord Vishnu as explained in Dhasavatar - Varahavatar.

Ravana performed an intense penance to Lord Brahma for several years during which he chopped off his head 10 times as a sacrifice to appease Brahma. Each time he sliced his head off a new head arose, thus enabling him to continue his penance. At last Brahama pleased with his austerity and appeared after his 10th decapitation and offered him a boon. Ravana asked for immortality which Brahma refused to give but gave him the celestial nectar of immortality. The nectar of immortality stored under his navel dictated that he could not be vanquished for as long as it lasted. Ravana also asked for absolute invulnerability from and supremacy over gods, heavenly spirits, other demons, serpents, and wild beasts. Contemptuous of mortal men, he did not ask for protection from these. Brahma granted him these boons in addition to his 10 severed heads and great strength by way of knowledge of divine weapons and magic. Thus Ravana known as 'Dasamukha' or 'Dasakanta' (Dasa means ten and mukha means face).

Ravana sought out his grand father Sumali and assumed leadership over his army. He then set his sights on capturing the island city of Lanka. Lanka was created by the celestial architect Vishwakarma for Kubera (the treasurer of the gods) who is also son of Vishrava from another wife. Kubera had generously shared all that he owned with Ravana and the his siblings who were Kubera's half-brothers and half-sister through his stepmother Kaikesi but Ravana demanded Lanka wholly from him. Vishrava advised his son Kubera to give it up to his another son Ravana as Ravana was now undefeatable. Once Ravana attempted to uproot and move the Kailash mountain (Shiva residence) to show Nandi his love for Shiva. Shiva annoyed by Ravana's arrogance pressed his littlest Toe on Kailash pinning him firmly and painfully under it. Shiva's soldiers informed Ravana of whom he had crossed, upon which Ravana became penitent. He plucked his nerves and used them as strings to compose music and sang songs praising Shiva for years until Shiva released him from his bondage. From then Ravana became a life long devotee of Shiva. Pleased with his resilience and devotion, Shiva gave him the divine sword Chandrahas (Chandra-Moon, Has-laugh) and told him that if it was used for unjust causes, it would return to Shiva and Ravana's days would be numbered. Ravana used this sword on Jatayu while taking away Sita.

Ravana's mother Kaikasi also was a great devotee of Shiva. Early morning she used to go to the ocean and make a Saikatha Lingam (Shiva linga with sand) and perform puja (penance). Her devotion was causing her sons' victory which was known by Indra who with the help of god of ocean and god of wind destroyed her Saikatha Lingam thus disturbing her penance. Ravana got so much angry on Indra, god of ocean and god of wind for doing this to his mother and asked his mother's permission to eliminate them. She replied that with out Shiva's permission no one can do anything. She blamed her way of devotion instead of Indra and others. She said that Shiva might have been unsatisfied with her devotion thus allowing Indra and others to disturb her penance. Finally she asked him to satisfy Shiva somehow, to which Ravana promised her that he will worship Shiva and bring his Athma Linga (Soul linga of Shiva which contains all his powers) for his mother's penance. She happily agreed and sent him to fulfil his mission.

Mayasura, a son of sage Kashyapa (refer Birth of Gods and Demons) was married to an apsara (nymph) Hema. They had two sons Mayavi and Dundubhi, but long for a daughter so they started performing penances to seek the favour of the god Shiva. Before that, once an apsara named Madhura arrives at the abode of Shiva to pay her respects. In absence of his wife Parvathi, Madhura had clandestine coitus with Shiva. When Parvati returned she found traces of ashes from Shiva’s body on the breasts of Madhura. Agitated, Parvati cursed Madhura and sent her to live in a well as a frog for twelve years. Shiva consoled Madhura and said she will become a beautiful woman and be married to a great valorous man. After twelve years, Madhura became a beautiful baby and cries out loudly from the well. Mayasura and Hema, who were performing penance nearby, found her and adopt her as their daughter. They bring her up as Mandodari.

Ravana went to a forest to fulfil his mission as promised to his mother and started meditating on Shiva. Mandodari saw him secretly during her visit to that forest one day and started loving him. After some years of Ravana's meditation, Shiva with Parvathi appeared before him to grant him a boon. By this time Narada had asked Lord Vishnu to change Ravana's mind in order to protect Athma Linga. If Ravana gets Athma Linga, he will be as powerful as Shiva. As a result of Vishnu's plot, Ravana got enticed by Parvathi's beauty and asked Shiva for Goddess Parvati. Shiva left her and disappeared. On his way back to Lanka Narada tells Ravana that Shiva had not given him the real Parvathi and that the real Parvathi was in Pathala (Underworld). Parvathi took her Kali form after seeing which Ravana believed that Narada was right. Ravana freed Parvathi and went to Pathala to get real Parvathi where he saw Mandodari and fall in love with her thinking that she was real Parvathi. He married her after fighting with Mayasura and returned to Lanka with her. He was introducing Mandodari to his mother Kaikasi, as Parvathi but Mandodari was arguing that she was not Parvathi. Ravana knew the truth and started abusing Shiva for cheating him. Kaikasi scolded Ravana for breaking his promise to bring Athma Linga. Then Ravana came to his senses and felt sorry for what he did. He started his mission again and went to forest to meditate begging for his forgiveness.

Lord Shiva appeared and this time Ravana requested for Athma Linga as his boon. Lord Shiva gave him the boon with the condition that it should never be placed on the ground till he reaches to the place where he wanted to install Athma Linga. If the Athma Linga was ever placed on the ground, it will be attracted by mother earth and even Shiva cant move Athma Linga from that place. Ravan started his journey to Lanka with Athma Linga. After knowing this, Narada approached the Lord Ganesha (refer Story of Ganesha) and reminded him that every one has to worship Ganesha before starting a big mission to avoid obstacles. Narada told Ganesha that Ravana didn't worship Ganesha and achieved Athma Linga from Shiva so Ganesha should stop him. Ganesha made a plan to achieve this.

According to that, as Ravana was nearing Lanka, sun was setting. Ravana now had to perform his evening rituals to sun but was worried because with the Athma Linga in his hands, he would not be able to do his rituals. At that time, Ganesha in the disguise of a Brahmin boy accosted him. Ravana requested him to hold the Athma Linga until he performed his rituals and asked him not to place it on the ground. Ganesha struck a deal with him saying that he would call Ravana thrice and if Ravana did not return within that time, he would place the Athma Linga on the ground. As predicted, before Ravana could return after completing his rituals, Ganesha had already placed the Athma Linga on the ground. Ravana tried to move Athma Linga but failed. Ravana called it Mahabala (Too Strong). From then that place is being called Mahabaleswharam.

17. Story of Bhageeratha

2011-04-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

There was a king in the dynasty of Ikswaku (Refer Birth of Gods and Demons) by name Sagara. He was a great ruler who performed 99 Ashwamedha yagas. If anyone conducts 100 Ashwamedha yagas, he will be elected for Indra's position. Who ever conducting Ashwamedha Yaga, will leave a horse with some note on it. where ever that horse roam in one year, all that land will belong to the one who is conducting the yaga. If anyone stops that horse, they should fight with who ever conducting the yaga. If they loose, they should leave the horse again. If the one conducting yaga got defeated, yaga will be a failure. Sagara was conducting his 100th Ashwamedha yaga during which his sons roamed about the earth leading the horse as a sign of regal supremacy over all kingdoms. Indra not wishing to loose his position took the horse and left it near sage Kapila's hermitage in Pathala (underworld). Sagara's sons were searching all over for the horse and finally came to Kapila's hermitage and were prepared to fight with him. Kapila was in deep meditation from several years. As sagara's sons disturbed him, he opened his eyes burning them to ashes.

The wandering sage Narada reported this news to Sagara. Sagara felt very sad about his sons' death and yaga was failed. Sagara had a grand son named Amsuman. Amsuman's son was Dileepa. Dileepa's son Bhageeratha knew about what happened to his ancestors during his childhood. He knew from Sagara that as their ashes fall in Pathala, they wont get moksha (liberation from life & death cycle). Sagara requested Bhageeratha to bring river Ganga somehow from divine world to the earth and to Pathala so that his sons' ashes will be mixed in river Ganga and his sons will get moksha. Bhageeratha set out to the Himalayas while he was still very young. He spent years in deep meditation, praying to the holy Ganga. Finally the river appeared as goddess before him and agreed to flow down to earth but there was a problem. Her force would be such that nothing would withstand the fall of water from heaven. It needed someone powerful enough to receive the stream falling down from heaven and hold it. Ganga herself suggested the name of Lord Shiva for the purpose.

Bhageeratha started meditating on Shiva who appeared in due course and agreed to receive Ganga falling from heaven in his matted hair. Bhageeratha had to pray to Ganga again and request her to flow down to earth. The heavy down pour of the sacred river travelled all the way from heaven to the matted hair of Shiva. Then Shiva lifted some locks of his hair causing Ganga flow on earth slowly. The water that fell from the Lord’s hair started flowing as the mighty Ganga. The river asked Bhageeratha to show her the way to his ancestors. So Bhageeratha sped fast on his horse ahead, asking the river to follow him. A sage by name Jahnu was in meditation along the path of the mighty Ganga. He was infuriated when the river flooded his hermitage and drank the whole river dry. It took years of meditation for Bhageeratha to please the sage. The sage pacified and let the river flow out through his ears not wishing to leave it through mouth which may impure Ganga. Thus Ganga was called Jahnavi. The river finally reached the underground where the ashes of Bhageeratha's ancestors lay scattered. The contact with the holy river purified the sons of Sagara and gave them immediate salvation. This way Bhageeratha faced so many challenges selflessly and finally brought Ganga from heaven to the earth. This story tells us that human can achieve anything with perseverance.

16. Story of Manikanta

2011-04-21T05:51:00.000-07:00

Manikanta is son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu who got the power of both. There is a big story behind his birth. As explained in Story of Durga, Mahishasura was killed by Mother Durga. Mahishasura's sister Mahishi devoted Lord Brahma and got a boon that she will be killed only by the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. As Brahma granted the boon, she felt herself eternal as both Shiva and Vishnu are male, they will not have any son to kill Mahishi. She started pestering all worlds.

Meanwhile there was another demon by name Bhasmasura who devoted Shiva and asked for the ability to burn to ashes anything which he placed his hand over. No sooner had Shiva granted this, than Bhasmasura ran after the god, threatening to turn him to ashes to test his new ability. Shiva ran to Vishnu to save his life. Vishnu then took form of Mohini (Form of a beautiful girl which he took during Kurmavatar). Bhasmasura reached there chasing Shiva and bewitched by Mohini's beauty. He started trying to impress Mohini by dancing just like her. Finally Mohini kept her hand on her own head which was imitated by Bhasmasura. Thus Shiva was saved from Bhasmasura. After seeing Vishnu in Mohini form, He also overcome with passion, and united with her. The two gods thus became "Harihara Murthi", that is a composite form of Shiva and Vishnu as one god. Thus born Manikanta.

Manikanta was left in a forest so that he will be found by a king called Pandalam Raja. A saint appeared and told the king to raise the kid. As he got no sons, he was so happy to raise him up. As Manikanta was having a Jewel (Mani) on his neck (Kanta), he was named Manikanta. He was raised by Pandalam Raja and his wife. After some years, they got another son. Manikanta was good at studies and king was hoping to make him his heir. Queen was unhappy with this as she wanted her son to be the next king. So she bribed the royal physician into becoming an accomplice of hers and pretended to be afflicted with severe headache, and the physician prescribed the milk of a tigress as the only cure. The King knew that none could be deputed for a mission that was so patently suicidal. However the youthful and valiant Manikantan stepped forth and volunteered to fetch the milk. Despite the worried protestations of his foster-father, he set out for the fearful forests.

Indra met him and pleaded to save him and other gods from Mahishi. So Manikanta went to Mahishi and killed her. Indra was happy and became a tigress on which Manikanta returned to his kingdom. Then queen knew about his divine powers and asked his forgiveness and requested him to be next king but Manikanta no longer wanted to be on earth as his mission is completed on earth. He left an arrow and asked his father to build a temple at the place where that arrow reached and he told that people will worship him as Ayyappa as king calls him Ayya and queen calls him Appa. King built a temple at the place where Ayyappa's arrow was stricken. That is known as Sabarimala now.

15. Story of Durga

2011-04-21T05:02:00.000-07:00

Durga is a form of Parvathi. Once there was a demon called Mahishasura who born out of a demon and buffalo. He was able to change between human and buffalo form at will. He was terrorising all gods who pleaded Parvathi/Shakthi to save them. She created a form of herself called Durga who fought with Mahishasura and his army. Durga's feminine power contains the energies of the gods. She rides on tiger and each of her weapons was given to her by various gods. She decimated his army in 9 days and finally killed him on 10th day. The event is celebrated in various versions as Dussehra in India. Durga was called as Mahishasuramardhini which means who killed demon Mahishasura.

Once Lord Shiva called Parvathi as "Kali" (means black in hindi) as Parvathi's skin was a bit dark. Parvathi got angry on this and left for conducting penance for goddess of beauty. As Parvathi is shakthi herself, goddess of beauty appeared before her soon and removed all black particles from her skin. Then Parvathi's color became white thus she was called Gori (means white in hindi) which converted as Gouri. Black particles took a form which was called Kali. Goddess Parvathi is being prayed as mother Kali and mother Gouri also. Kali and Gouri have difference not only in color but also in their nature. Mother Kali always shown as furious form where as Mother Gouri always shown as peaceful form.

Once there was a demon called Raktabija who was granted a boon that every drop of blood falling from him to the ground will become another Raktabija. Parvathi as Durga was fighting with him. Whenever she cut him into pieces, he was getting doubled, tripled. Finally she called her Kali form and started fighting with Raktabija. Kali spread her giant tongue and drank up all the blood before it fell to the earth. Thus Raktabija was killed. But intoxicated with Raktabija's blood, Kali ran across the three worlds, destroying everything. To stop her, Shiva took the form of a corpse and blocked her path. As Kali blinded by blood lust tripped on his lifeless body, she was jolted out her frenzy. She wondered if she had killed her own husband. She placed a foot on Shiva's chest and revived him. Shiva took the form of a little child and began to cry stirring maternal love in her heart which forced her to shed her fierce form.

14. Story of Ganesha

2011-04-20T05:54:00.000-07:00

Ganesha is lord of obstacles who is worshipped before starting any mission to get succeed. Once there was a demon called Gajasura who worshipped Lord Shiva and asked him a boon that Shiva should reside in his stomach. Shiva granted his request and started residing in Gajasura's stomach. Parvathi searched for Shiva everywhere and felt sad after knowing what happened to him from Lord Vishnu. Vishnu consoled her promissed that he will bring Shiva back. Vishnu went to Gajasura in disguise with Nandi(bull of Shiva) as a dancing bull and conducted some enchanting performance. Gajasura liked their performace and asked them what they desire. Vishnu asked him to promiss that he will give what ever they wish for and asked to give back Shiva. Gajasura agreed to give back Shiva as promissed. Then Vishnu and others started praising Shiva who emerged out of Gajasura's stomach after hearing their devotion. Gajasura asked Shiva a last boon before dieing that he should be immortal in the memories of people. Shiva said that his wish will be fulfilled in his next life so Gajasura died and born as an elephant and started praying Shiva to fulfil his last desire.

Shiva liberated from Gajasura's stomach by Vishnu was coming back to Kailasha (Shiva's residence). Parvathi was happy after knowing this and was preparing for his warm welcome. She wanted to take bath so she created a doll out of the dough that she uses in her bath, and called him Ganesha. She told him to look after till she return from bath. Ganesha unknowing Shiva, prevented his entry into Kailasha. They started quarelling and finally Shiva beheaded Ganesha. After returning from bath, Parvathi was shocked to see his son beheaded. She pleaded Shiva to bring him back to life. Shiva commanded his troops to bring head of any living being which is sleeping with it's head facing north. They found no living being except Gajasura whose head was brought to Shiva. Shiva added that elephant head to Ganesha and brought him back to life. Thus he got the name Gajanana (Elephant head). Parvathi was still not happy. Then Shiva granted Ganesha a boon that before beginning any task, people would worship Ganesha first. Ganesha has the power to remove any obstacles that come in the way of all true devotees. So Ganesha was called Vigneswara (lord of obstacles) or Vinaayak (Vigna nayak).

There was a demon called Mushikasura. He did penance to Shiva and got several boons by which he became extremely powerful. He started pestering gods who pleaded Ganesha to save them. Ganesha went with several weapons to kill him. As one of the boon to Mushikasura was that he will not be destroyed by any weapon. So all weapons of Gnaesha were useless. Finally Ganesha broke off his right tusk and used it to kill Mushikasura. As Mushikasura's wife was a great devotee of Parvathi, she worshipped Parvathi to save her husband. So Parvathi had to save him by throwing her bangle which confronted Ganesha's tusk. Finally Mushikasura surrendered to Ganesha who later became his ride and his wife became Ganesha's umbrella.

Karthikeya was younger than Ganesha. Karthikeya born immediately after Shiva and Parvathi's marriage but he was raised by six Karthikas as explained in Story of Karthikeya. During that time, Parvathi created Ganesha so Ganesha must be younger than Karthikeya but as Parvathi created Ganesha as approximately 10 year old boy, he was elder than Karthikeya. Oneday Shiva wanted to appoint one of them as leader of all Ganas (troops). He called both of them and offered them the position who ever encircle the whole universe three times faster. Karthikeya started his race with his peacock immediately but Ganesha's ride is a mouse. Ganesha thought a lot and got an idea. He went to his parents Shiva and Parvathi and encircled them three times with devotion. Karthikeya was seeing Ganesha ahead whereever he went. Finaly he came back after completing race and agreed that Ganesha won the race. Ganesha explained him that encircling parents with devotion is equal to encircling the whole universe. Thus Ganesha was also called Ganapathi as he got appointed as leader of all Ganas (troops).

Once Kubera (the God of wealth) invited Shiva and Parvati to dinner wishing to show off his riches. The couple denied his request and sent Ganesha instead. Ganesha went to his palace and started eating all the food placed in front of him. Soon there was no more food in the palace and so Kubera ordered his troops to get more food from the surrounding villages. But Ganesha continued eating and there was no more food to be found. Ganesha started eating all the furniture. Kubera became very frightened and ran to Shiva and pleaded to save him from Ganesha. Shiva asked Kubera to give up his pride and serve Ganesha a handful of rice. Kubera did the same with humility, Ganesha's hunger was satisfied.

Once on the occassion of Rakhi when sisters will tie a thread named rakhi to their brothers, Ganesha was unhappy as he dont have any sisters. Then goddess Lakshmi (Wife of Lord Vishnu) tied Rakhi to Ganesha. Thus people wants to have a son like Ganesha and daughter like Lakshmi. Some believe that Ganesha has two wives, Riddhi/Budhi and Siddhi. Riddhi/Buddhi and Siddhi were two beautiful daughters of Vishwabrahma representing knowledge (Riddhi/Buddhi) and perfection (Siddhi). Lord Ganesha had two sons Kshema and Labha.

13. Story of Karthikeya

2011-04-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

This is continuation of Lalithopakyanam. As told in it, demon named Taraka got a boon from Brahma that he can be killed by only Shiva's son. At the end of Lalithopakyanam, Shiva and Parvathi got married. It was a ritual that during first night, to tease newly married couple, some one will be appointed to see through window or some how secretly. Agni deva (god of fire) was appointed to tease Shiva & Parvathi. But Parvathi observed him and moved away resulting Shiva's sperm falling on floor. Shiva's sperm was so unbearable that if it falls on earth, earth may blow. So Agni deva got the sperm in his hands and was looking for some place to get rid of it. He couldnt bear it in hands for so long and left it in river Ganga which transported the sperm into the Saravana forest into a pond called Saravana Poigai. There the sperm got devided into 6 and 6 kids were born out of it. Those six kids were raised by 6 Karthikas (Starts). Parvathi combined these 6 kids into one with her will power thus born Shanmukha (6 heads). He was also called Karthikeya as raised by Karthikas. As he born in Saravana, he was also called Saravanabhava. During his bachelorhood, he was called Kumara Swamy (Bachelor god).

Karthikeya carries a lance called Vel given by his mother Parvathi embodies her energy and power. He became the supreme general of the demi-gods and led the army of the devas to victory against the asuras like Taraka, Surapadma etc. Surapadma was slayed into two parts among which one part became Karthikeya's ride peacock and another part became a rooster placed in the flag of his army. Once the two daughters of Lord Vishnu, Amrita Valli and Sundara Valli, wanted to be consorts of Karthikeya. They both went to Saravana Poigai and commenced austere penance to fulfil their desires. Pleased with their prayer and worship, Karthikeya appeared before them and told Amrita Valli that she will be brought up by Indra and shall marry Karthikeya in due course. Sundara Valli was also blessed that she will born to sage Sivamuni and brought up by Nambi, the headman of Veddas and will get married to Karthikeya. Those stories goes like this.

Amrita Valli took the form of a female child and went to Mount Meru, the abode of Indra and told him that she is the daughter of Lord Vishnu and the responsibility of looking after her had been entrusted to him. On hearing this, Indra became very happy and directed Airavatam, his white elephant, to take care of the child. The elephant with all love brought her up and affection and she attained the age of marriage in course of time. Hence she came to be known as Devayanai, one who was brought up by the heavenly elephant of Indra (Yanai means elephant). When Karthikeya killed Surapadma, all the devas and heavenly beings whom he had released from the untold miseries caused by Surapadma approached him. Indra desired to get his daughter Devayanai married to Karthikeya as a mark of his gratitude for relieving him and the devas from the depredations of the demon Surapadma. Thus Karthikeya married to Devayani.

Once in a village lived a hunter called Nampi who got all his children as boys. He longed for a little girl. Near to that village an ascetic by name of Sivamuni was engaged in austerities. One day a gazelle went by and the ascetic was aroused by its lovely shape. His lascivious thoughts made the gazelle pregnant. The daughter of Mal incarnated in the embryo. In due time, the gazelle gave birth to a girl in a pit. The female deer having round out that she had given birth to a strange being abandoned the child which was discovered by the hunter-chief Nampi and his wife. Overwhelmed with joy they took the little girl to their hut and named her Valli. When Valli reached the age of twelve, she was sent to the millet field to guard the crop against parrots and other birds, sitting in an elevated platform. The sage Narada who saw the girl went to inform Karthikeya about Valli's exceptional beauty. Karthikeya assumed the form of a hunter and arrived at Valli's field. He told her that he would like to love her. Valli was shocked but later she also fall in love with him. Finally they also got married.

12. Lalithopakyanam

2011-04-19T02:49:00.000-07:00

Lalithopakyanam is story of goddess Lalitha Devi on whom Lalitha Sahasra namas were written. Actually the namas itself explains her story. Here i am narrating the story in short. If you want to read complete story, you can click here. This story is continuation of Daksha Yagnam. After Sathi devi immolated herself, Lord Shiva became an ascetic. Sathi Devi born as the daughter of Himavantha (Himalaya Mountain) and Menaka, as the couple did penance for 150 million years with the intention to beget her as their child. The new born was named Parvathi (daughter of Parvata-mountain). Lalitha Devi's story comes as part of the story of Parvathi's marriage with Shiva.

One day sage Narada came to Himavantha and advised to send his daughter Parvathi to serve Shiva who is meditating in near by mountains. Himavantha happily agreed and requested Shiva to allow his daughter Parvathi to serve him. With Shiva's permission, Parvathi was going to Shiva everyday to serve him. This being so, a demon by name Taraka being confidant that Shiva will never get married, got a boon from Lord Brahma that he will get killed by Shiva's son only. He started to hurt and pester celestials who approached Indra for solution. Indra called the god of love Manmatha and ordered him to make Shiva to love Parvathi. Manmatha aimed an arrow of lust at Shiva while Parvathi was serving him through which Shiva's mind was affected a bit but Shiva having control over his senses immediately regained and saw Manmatha hiding in bushes. Shiva got angry and opened his third eye in between his eyebrows to reduce Manmatha to ashes. Manmatha's wife Rathidevi wept bitterly. Then she remembered curse of Brahma to Manmatha. That story goes as follows.

Once upon a time Brahma accumulated the essence of beauty of all the fine things in the world and created a beautiful woman who was name Thilothama. Her beauty enchanted even the celestials. Brahma was checking up his creation keenly whether her beauty was superb in all aspects. Manmatha anted to play a practical joke and aimed an arrow of lust at Brahma Due to which Brahma forgot that she was his daughter and chased her lustily. Thilothama started running from him taking the form of a deer. Brahma also took the form of deer and followed her. To save Brahma from doing this sin, Shiva manifested as a hunter and scared him with an arrow. By looking at his fierce form, Brahma came to senses and prostrated to his feet praying for pordon. Then Brahma cursed Manmatha that he will be burnt to ashes by the fire of Shiva's third eye. Frightened Manmatha and Rathidevi prayed Brahma who blessed them later saying that divine mother will manifest as Lalitha Devi and revive Manmatha. Thus Rathidevi was waiting for Lalitha Devi to manifest.

One day Chitrakarma the commander of one of Shiva's troops started toying with the ash of the burnt Manmatha and prepared a doll out of it. He showed it to Shiva whose eye sight gave life to that toy. Chitrakarma was happy and taught Shiva's manthra to that boy. That boy started meditating that manthra and finally Shiva appeared before him and called him 'Banda' who later called as 'Bandasura' (as he became Asura means demon by his qualities). Shiva gave him boon that he will rule the world for sixty thousand years. In the mean time, from the ashes of Manmatha were born two other demons Vishukra and Vishanga who became main brothers of Bandasura. Some thousands of demons also were born out of the ash.

Sixty thousand years were almost over. Bandasura called all demons for a meeting and explained them that as his authority of sixty thousand years is almost over, they should kill gods before the time is up. They hatched a plan that they will assume the form of air and enter bodies of gods and dry up all their body fluids thus they will be annihilated. All demons followed the plan due to which gods became impotent and sterile. They lost enthusiasm to do anything. Slowly gods started observing their own condition and started discussing about this. All gods and Brahma couldn't comprehend what was going on and they approached Lord Vishnu. Vishnu understood Bandasura's plan and explained them that Bandasura was responsible and even Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva also couldn't escape from his torture. Everybody worried about this. Vishnu told them that there is one almighty god who is beyond this manifest brahmanda. That is Maha Shambhu with Parashakthi's company. All gods started with their left energies to meet Maha Shambhu and Parashakthi.

After they travelled a long distance they found Maha Shambhu and Parashankthi out side Brahmanda. Gods praised Maha Shambhu and asked for his help. Maha Shambhu observed their situation and told them that only Lalitha Devi can help them, who will be created by Parashakthi. Gods devoted Parashakthi by which Parashakthi agreed to help them. Maha Shambhu explained them that he will do Maha Yaga and every one has to sacrifice their present bodies in fire of Yaga through which lalitha Devi will be born and will revive them with new pure bodies. All gods agreed to the plan. Maha Shambhu made the water ocean dried up and used it as Homa Kunda (Fire pit). Fired it with fire from his third eye and did penance with milk from milk ocean and ghee from ghee ocean etc. Finally all gods sacrificed their bodies in that fire. Thus Lalitha Parameswari manifested. She created Parabrahma in the name of Kameshwara and had him as her consort. That couple re-created the entire universe. All gods were created again with fresh pure new bodies.

Lalitha Parameshwari with all gods prepared for a war with Bandasura. Bandasura heard about this but he underestimated Lalitha Devi being a lady and sent some troops who were slayed by Lalitha Devi's troops. Finally Bandasura himself came to fight and lost his life. Gods celebrated their victory over demons. They praised Lalitha Devi and requested her to revive Manmatha from whose ashes all these events happened. Lalitha Devi smiled and looked at Manmatha's remaining ashes. Manmatha took rebirth. Meanwhile Parvathi was performing a great penance to marry Shiva. Lalitha Devi told Manmatha to cast his magical arrow on Shiva once again. Shiva couldn't control this time due to Lalitha Devi's blessings and agreed to marry Parvathi. Later Karthikeya was born to them and killed demon Tharaka.

11. Dhasavatar - Parashuramavatar

2011-04-18T02:52:00.000-07:00

Parashuramavatar is 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The purpose of this incarnation is to relieve the Earth's burden by exterminating the sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs that pillaged its resources, and neglected their duties as kings. Ages ago several kings who had turned into evil beings because of their royal wealth, arrogance of power, and people's allegiance, ruled the world. They had posed a serious threat to the pious, religious and scholarly life-pursuit of those who wanted to lead a life of moral and social rectitude. At that time Vishnu had to incarnate to punish them and establish justice on earth. The story goes on like this.

A sage named Rucheeka married a princess Satyavati, daughter of King Gadhi belongs to Chandra vansh (Lunar Race). They had no children for some time. King Gadhi had only one daughter and no sons. One day Satyavati requested her husband to bless her and her mother that they might beget male children to perpetuate the lineage. Rucheeka gave them two fruits each and suggested to eat them such that Satyavati will get a son who will be a great sage and her mother will get a son who will be a valient royal hero. But Satyavati ate the fruit given to her mother and her mother ate the fruit given to Satyavati. Both became pregnant in due course. Rucheeka noticed a royal brightness in his wife's face and understood everything happened with his insight. He explained his wife about the mistake they did and told her that the result will be like Satyavati will get a son with royal characteristics and her mother will get a son with sage characteristics. Satyavati pleaded Rucheeka to grant her son to be a sage and grandson to be a valiant royal hero. Rucheeka blessed her accordingly. Rucheeka's son was Jamadagni who was a great sage and Parashurama was Jamadagni's youngest son of five with valient royal characteristics. Parashurama's mother was Renuka.

One day Renuka the devoted wife of Jamadagni had to get the Ganga water and proceeded to the river. At that time a 'Gandharva' (celestial being) named Chitraratha was enjoying a festive bath with his wives. Renuka was watching these activities for some time. She had been somewhat mesmerised and after a while awakened herself realising her duty. She rushed back to the hermitage. Jamadagni possessing supreme vision visualised the reason for his wife's delay and was angered at her. He called out his sons and ordered them to kill her. The children were shocked and they could not believe their own ears. They couldn't do what Jamadagni ordered them to. Parashurama came there after a while and Jamadagni asked his son to kill his mother and also the disobedient brothers. Parashurama did not hesitate even for a moment. Readily he raised his axe, chopped off his mother's head and later killed his brothers. Once Jamadagni was pacified, he was pleased with Parashurama's devotion and offered him a boon. Parashurama asked his father to forgive his mother and brothers and to revive them. Thus Parashurama saved his mother and brothers.

There was a king named Kritaveerya belonging to the Lunar Race. Born to him was Karthaveeryarjuna, who hands were use less. After Kritaveerya, princess Karthaveeryarjuna had to take royal duties but as he was not strong enough, he started worshipping Dattatreya taking his minister's suggestion. Soon Dattatreya satisfied with his devotion and granted him 1000 hands and blessed him invincibility. With this power he was able to defeat Lanka's demon Ravana also in a battle. Actually Karthaveeryarjuna was Lord Vishnu's Sudharshana Chakra who was feeling proud that Vishnu could defeat many demons by using him only. Vishnu wanted to teach him a lesson and made the chakra to be born as Karthaveeryarjuna. With his boon from Dattatreya, he was able to defeat anyone which made him arrogant in time.

Oneday Karthaveeryarjuna went for hunting. He and his minister approached Jamadagni's hermitage which was on the way. At that time Parashurama had gone to the woods to collect some. Jamadagni invited them for lunch to which Karthaveeryarjuna rejected smoothly by saying that he has too many soldiers with him to feed. Jamadagni assured him that he will feed them all. Surprised king wanted to test and called all of his soldiers for lunch. Jamadagni had a cow named Surabhi with him which is daughter of wish-fulfilling Kamadhenu. With the help of Surabhi, Jamadagni was able to feed all soldiers with good food. Karthaveeryarjuna was happy with the feast but bitten by joulous he asked Jamadagni to sell Surabhi to him to which Jamadagni had to refuse saying that it is like a daughter to him. But arrogant Karthaveeryarjuna took Surabhi with him forcely. On the way he saw Surabhi crying and felt sorry about what he did. Being a devotee of Dattatreya who likes cows, Karthaveeryarjuna shouldn't hurt a cow. So he felt bad and wanted to return Surabhi to Jamadagni. After returning home, Parashurama knew about what happened to Surabhi from his brothers and came running to Karthaveeryarjuna with an axe, bow and arrows. He killed all his soldiers in a fierce battle mercilessly. Finally Karthaveeryarjuna had to confront him as a king who shouldn't surrender. Parashurama axed down all of his 1000 hands and killed him.

      Karthaveeryarjuna's sons were pining for vengeance. They were not capable to fight with Parashurama so they hatched a plan to kill Jamadagni during absence of Parashurama. They waited for Parashurama to go into forest to get woods and beheaded Jamadagni who was in deep meditation. Renuka frightened by witnessing all this and shouted to call Parashurama 21 times. Parashurama and his brothers came running after hearing their mother's cry. By then Karthaveeryarjuna's sons left already. Parashurama learnt from the inmates of ashram the details of the incidents and hurried to kill Karthaveeryarjuna's son with his axe. He butchered all of them with his axe. He was not pacified with this also. He traversed the earth 21 times and killed all arrogant kings. When he reached Ayodhya, King Dasaratha was disguised as a female by his three wives Koushalya, Sumithra, Kaikeyi to protect him. Parashurama spared him saying that he will fight only with men. To king Dasaratha only born Lord Rama who is 7th incarnation of Vishnu.

      After killing all arrogant Kshathriyas (Kings), Parashurama conducted Ashwamedha to purify himself and donated all the land acquired to Brahmins. When he decided to build a hermitage for himself, a problem confronted him. He had given away all the land he had acquired. Now any plot upon which he settled down would mean his taking back the land he had donated, and it would be a wrongful act. To solve this, he requested king of ocean to leave some place for his hermitage. King of ocean asked him to throw his axe as far as he can and promised that he will give him land up to the spot where the axe hit the sea-waters. Parashurama threw his axe and got some land where he built his hermitage. This came to be known as 'Parashurama Srishti'.

      Parashurama later appears in stories of Ramavatar and Mahabharath also. Some believes that he will be guru of Vishnu's 10th incarnation Kalki avatar.

10. Dhasavatar - Vamanavatar

2011-04-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

Vamanavatar is 5th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This is continuation of his 4th incarnation Narasimhavatar. Prahlada ruled the world after death of his father Hiranyakashyapu by Vishnu in Narasimhavatar. He was succeeded by Virochan, then Sena and finally Bali. Bali was a good donor but he hates Vishnu as he listens to demon's guru Shukracharya. Guru Shukracharya was the son of Bhrigu Maharshi and Usha, the daughter of Hiranya Kashyap. Shukracharya was the preceptor of the Demons. He prayed Lord Shiva and gained knowledge of a manthra which brings the dead to life. It is called Mritha Sanjivani. With this power, demons attacked gods and took over the world including Indra's place on the command of Bali. Indra's mother Aditi (Refer Birth of Gods And Demons) was unhappy about this and consulted her husband Kashyapu and did penance to appease Vishnu. Vishnu satisfied with Devamata's devotion and born to her as Vamana for recovering gods' lost power and position.

God's guru Brihaspati sent his son Kacha in disguise to Shukracharya. He knows that if Mritha Sanjivani is heard by 6 ears, it will loose its power. He advised his son to achieve this somehow. Kacha was accepted to be a student of Shukracharya even though demons didn't like him. Devyani, daughter of Shukracharya fall in love with Kacha. One day demons killed Kacha but as requested by Devyani, Shukracharya had to revive him. Next time demons killed Kacha and burnt him. They mixed his ashes in water which was drunk by Shukracharya. Devyani was worried about Kacha's where abouts and Shukracharya knew about all done by demons with his Dhivya Dhrishti (Clairvoyance). He said that he cant revive Kacha sacrificing his life. The agony of his daughter was unbearable for Shukracharya. He taught Mritha Sanjivani to his daughter and revived Kacha which results in Shukracharya's death. Then Devyani used Mritha Sanjivani to revive her father. Shukracharya got his life but Mritha Sanjivani lost its power as it was heard by 6 ears of those 3 of them.

When Bali was performing his 100th Ashwamedha Yaga to establish his supremacy over heaven and earth during which he was donating brahmins as ritual what ever they asked for. Vishnu in Vamanavatar approached him as a dwarf brahmana. When his turn came, he prayed Bali to grant him a piece of land measuring three strides as alms. Shukracharya warned him against granting the request doubting that he may be Vishnu in disguise but Bali paid no heed and prepared to grant it. He picked up the water vessel to seal the charity. Shukracharya shrinks himself with his powers and sits in the spout of the vase, from which water has to be poured in Vamana's hand. Vamana understands immediately and picks a straw from the ground and directs it up the spout, poking out the left eye of Shukracharaya. Since this day on, the guru of the demons has been known to be half blind.

Bali asked Vamana to measure three strides of land which he has to grant him. Vamana suddenly grew in size and covered whole earth with one foot and heaven with another foot and asked Bali where to put third step. Bali agreed his defeat and offered his head. Vamana put his third step on his head and pushed him to Patal (Underworld). Thus gods' position and power were restored.

9. Dhasavatar - Narasimhavatar

2011-04-17T02:13:00.000-07:00

Narasimhavatar is 4th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This is continuation of his 3rd incarnation Varahavatar. After knowing that Lord Vishnu killed his brother Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakashyapu pledged to avenge his brother's death by killing Sri Hari (Lord Vishnu). He went to perform thapas (Deep meditation) for Lord Brahma to be immortal. during his absence, Indra attacked his home to capture Hiranyakashyapu's wife Kayadhu. Sage Narada intervened to protect her as she was pure in heart. From then Kayadhu was under Narada's protection at his hermitage. One day Narada was explaining about Lord Vishnu to her during which she fall asleep and her unborn son Prahlada listened to everything Narada said. Prahlada became a devoted follower of Vishnu.

Lord Brahma appeared before Hiranyakashyapu to grant a boon after several years of his Tapas but he has to refuse to grant immortality as it is nature's law that everything that has a begining must have an end. When Hiranyakashyapu has to ask for some other wish, he wished that he should not meet death from any of the living entities created by Brahma and he should not die within any residence or outside any residence, during the daytime or at night, nor on the ground or in the sky and his death not be brought by any weapon, nor by any human being or animal. Brahma granted him the boon due to which Hiranyakashyapu started thinking that he is immortal and started harassing the world.

Hiranyakashyapu commanded that everyone should pray to him only and all devotees of Vishnu will be killed. He searched all over the world for Vishnu to fight. But as Hiranyakashyapu's death time was far, Vishnu took his wife Lakshmi and was hiding from him. As Hiranyakashyapu won over the world, he had all money which means Lakshmi (Goddess of money) was his slave. Lakshmi was ot willing to serve himwith her glory. So Vishnu turned her glory into a fruit and kept it on a tree. He advised Lakshmi to go to her parents and he hid in Hiranyakashyapu's heart waiting for right time.

Prahlada was devoted to Vishnu and started preaching everyone about him which made Hiranyakashyapu very unhappy. He tried to explain his son how Vishnu kiled his brother Hiranyaksha. Prahlada was so adament. Hiranyakashyapu threatened him that he will be killed if he dont stop praying Vishnu. Prahlada has so much belief on Vishnu that he was ready to die. Hiranyakashyapu attempted many ways to kill Prahlada which were failed by Vishnu's mystical powers. He gave his son poison. Commanded his soldiers to throw Prahlada from a big mountain. Made a big elephant stamp on him. Nothing worked and Prahlada was still devoting Vishnu.

Finally Hiranyakashyapu asked his son Prahlada why Vishnu is hiding if he is so great. Then Prahlada said that Lord Vishnu is everywhere. Hiranyakashyapu showed one of the pillars and asked whether Vishnu will be inside. After acknowledgment by Prahlada, he started breaking the pillar to show that his son was wrong. Then Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha (Half Lion Half Human) emerged from the pillar and attacked him. As per Brahma's boon, Hiranyakashyapu could not be killed by human, god or animal,

Narasimha is neither one of these but a part-human, part-animal. He comes upon Hiranyakashyapu at twilight (when it is neither day nor night). He took Hiranyakashyapu to the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor out), and put him on his lap (neither earth nor space). Using his nails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapons, he disembowels and kills the demon. After killing Hiranyakashyapu also Narasimha was soo furious and angry. All gods failed to calm his fury. Narasimha went to forest near by.

Before some time Narada advised to a tribe couple to eat a fruit to get kids. He shows the same fruit which Vishnu created from Lakshmi's glory. That tribe couple ate that fruit and got a daughter which is Lakshmi's incarnation. She was named "Chenchu" who was later called as "Chenchu Lakshmi". Narasimha with his furious form entered forest and met Chenchu. He was calmed by her beauty and glory. They finally got married after Narasimha agreed to her conditions. Prahlada continued devoting Vishnu and ruled the world rest of his life. He born as Raghavendra Swamiji in his next life.

8. Dhasavatar - Varahavatar

2011-04-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

Varahavatar is 3rd incarnation of Lord Vishnu. As explained in Birth of Gods And Demons, Kashyap married to 13 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. From Diti he got Hiranyakashyapu and Hiranyaksha. In previous life Hiranyakashyapu and Hiranyaksha were Lord Vishnu's gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya respectively. One day Brahamputra Sankadik Rishis came to meet Vishnu who were obstrcuted by these gatekeepers. Angered by this humiliation, rishis cursed them to be demons. Jaya and Vijaya pleaded Vishnu to save from this curse. Vishnu told them that they cant avert rishi's curse but he can change it to 3 lives as enemies or 7 lives as friends to himself. Jaya and Vijaya chose to take 3 lives as enemies to Vishnu as they can finish 3 life cycles quicker than 7. That's why they took their first life as Hiranyakashyapu, Hiranyaksha and second life as Ravana, Kumbhakarna and third life as Sisupala, Dantavakra. In each life they were enemies to Vishnu and got killed by him in different avatars. Vishnu also told them that even though they will be enemies to him, they will always chant his name. That's why these demons were always chanting Vishnu's name planning how to kill him.

Hiranyaksha was stronger than his elder brother. Hiranyaksha prayed Lord Brahma and got a boon that he wont meet his death by any human, god or beast. Hiranyaksha was thinking that he is immortal by this boon and started harassing whole world. At that time Manu and Shatrupa were ruling the world. Hiranyaksha took the mother earth from them and sank it under cosmic ocean. All gods worried by this prayed Vishnu to save them. One day a tiny boar fall from Brahma's nostrils. Everyone wondered what it is. It slowly started growing till it was in size of a big mountain. Boar is not in beasts list. So Vishnu took avatar as a boar to kill Hiranyaksha. He searched for mother earth in cosmic ocean and lifted it on his tusks thus saving the world. Angered by this, Hiranyaksha challenged Varaha to fight with him. Finally Vishnu killed him.

When mother earth was taken by Hiranyaksha into cosmic ocean, A demon called Narakasura was born to her. Vishnu as Varaha married mother earth after saving her from Hiranyaksha. Mother earth asked Vishnu not to kill his son Narakasura even though he is a demon. Vishnu gave her boon that Narakasura wont meet his death by anyone other than his own mother. So in Krishnavatar mother earth took life as Sathyabhama and killed Narakasura.