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Gokarna

2015-02-22T21:00:00.001-08:00

The Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna is a Hindu temple located inGokarna, a Hindu religious pilgrimage centre in Uttara Kannada district in theIndian state of Karnataka. A Pranalinga (Pranalinga is defined as “the reality of God which can be apprehended by the mind.”) also known as Atmalinga orShiva Linga is deified in the temple, which is facing the city beach of theArabian Sea in Gokarna. The Shiva Linga has a hoary legend. It is said to bestow immense blessings to devotees who even glimpse it. The temple is considered as pious as the Shiva temple at Varanasi or Kashi in North India on the banks of the Ganges River and hence is known as the Dakshin Kasi (South Kasi).

According to the legend, the Atmalinga was perforce placed at Gokarna, in the temple precincts where it is now deified, by Ravana, the demon King of Lankaof epic Ramayana fame when he carried it from Mount Kailash in theHimalayas. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the Arabian Sea before visiting the temple for worship. It is one of the seven sacred Muktikshetras or Mukthistala (place of salvation) in India where many Hindus of Karnataka perform obsequies (death rites) for their departed; six other Muktistalas in Karnataka are: Udupi, Kollur, Subrahmanya, Kumbasi, Kodeshvara and Sankaranarayana.

Geography

The temple is located on the shores of the Karwar coast of the Arabian Sea in a green environment in the holy town of Gokarna, also spelt Gokarn, on the West Coast of India in Uttara Kannada or North Kannada district. Gokarna lies between the Gangavali and Aganashini rivers.

National Highway 17 (NH17), a coastal highway on the western ghats of India (from Mangalore to Mumbai), passes close to the temple town of Gokarna. The town is 56 kilometres (35 mi) from Karwar and 252 kilometres (157 mi) from Mangalore on this highway.and town is 145 kilometres (90 mi) from Hubli. It is 450 kilometres (280 mi) from Bangalore and the nearest airport is at Panaji, Goa, 155 kilometres (96 mi) away.

Legend:

The hoary legend of the temple as narrated links Ravana of Ramayana fame, the demon king of Lanka, not only to the Shiva Linga deified in the Mahabaleshwar Temple but also to the Bhadra Kali temple here. The legend also provides the reasoning for the naming of the Gokarna town.

Ravana's mother, a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, was worshipping a Shiva Linga to bring prosperity to her son. Indra, the Lord of Heaven, who was jealous of this worship, stole the Shiva Linga and threw it away into the Sea. The distraught mother of Ravana went on a hunger strike as her devotional worship of Shiva was disrupted. Ravana then promised his mother that he would go to Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, and bring the main Atmalinga itself for her worship. Ravana then performed severe penance at Mount Kailash to please Lord Shiva and also sang, in his melodious voice, praises of Shiva (Shiva Tandava Stotram). He even chopped his own head, and made a harp with threads drawn from his skin and intestine. Shiva pleased with all this devotional worship agreed to bestow boons to Ravana. Ravana, pleased with the promise of Shiva, asked for the Atmalinga and also a wife for himself, as pretty as Uma (mother of creation), Shiva's wife. Shiva then took out the Atma Linga, brightly shining like the Sun, from his own heart and gave it to Ravana with strict instructions that it should not be placed on ground till it was deified at a final destination. As regards the second request for a beautiful wife, Shiva offered his own wife to Ravana, as in his view there was no other woman more beautiful than Uma, his wife.

Ravana, blinded by his infatuation for Uma, accepted her and carried her off on his shoulder along with the Atmalinga. He went south towards his kingdom. This created an alarm and fear among the various gods in heaven. Ganesha, Skanda(warrior god) and Virabhadra, sons of Shiva and Parvati were perturbed. Nandi, the bull was equally surprised by this development. All of them appealed to Shiva for redress from this unwarranted situation. Shiva told them not worry and promised that Lord Vishnu would redeem the situation.

Uma, who was ordered by Shiva to go with Ravana, then appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu agreed and he met Ravana at Gokarna, disguised as an aged, frail looking Brahmin. The Brahmin asked Ravana as to how he was carrying such a lovely woman on his shoulders. Ravana, in his enthusiasm, explained that Shiva of Kailash himself had given her to him. Pleased with the Brahmin's words of praise, Ravana brought her down to have a look at her charming face. This was his undoing as at that moment, Vishnu played a trick and made Uma look haggard, aged and repulsive. The Brahmin then gave a derisive laugh and made a humiliating remark of Ravana's choice of the lady. Thus humiliated, Ravana deserted Uma and went back to Kailash to complain and plead with Shiva. Vishnu then asked Uma to settle down at Gokarna. Now, she is worshipped in Gokarna, as Mother Bhadrakali.

Then Vishnu created an illusion of a charming girl in front of Ravana and assured him that this girl would be born asMandodari, daughter of Mayasura and marry him. Mollified by this promise, Ravana returned carrying the Atmalinga. On the way, he met Ganesha in the garb of a cowherd (by the request of lord indra) at the same location where he had deserted Uma. At that moment Ravana wanted urgently to attend the call of nature and he, therefore, requested Ganesha to hold the Atmalinga in his hand till he returned after ablutions.^[11] There is another version to the legend at this point. It is said that Ravana, being a Brahmin wanted to offer his evening religious prayers, Sandhyavandanam, and he, therefore, requested Ganesha, who appeared before him as a Brahmin boy, to hold on to the Atmalinga till he returned; with strict instructions to Ganesha not to place it on the ground under any circumstance.

However, Ravana could not come within the specified time. Ganesha called out thrice rapidly for Ravana. Even before Ravana could return, Ganesha placed the Atmalinga on the ground, tricked Ravana and vanished from the scene with his cows. Ravana then chased the only cow, which was going underground. However, he managed to get hold of the cow's ear only, as the rest of cow's body had disappeared below ground. It is this ear now seen in a petrified form, which has given the name 'Gokarna' to the place, meaning "Cow's ear." (in Sanskrit 'Gow' means "cow" and 'karna' means "ear"). Then, Ravana tried hard to lift the Shiv Linga but failed as it was firmly fixed. Ravana had even fainted; thereafter he gave the name Mahabaleshwar (meaning all-powerful) to the Atmalinga.Thus, according to the legend narrated, the place now boasts of three divine entities namely: Gokarna, the cow's ear; the Atmalinga or Shiva Linga that is deified in the Mahabaleshwar Temple; and the Goddess Bhadrakali, which are all now divine places of worship integral to Gokarna.

Tulsi

2013-10-29T02:19:00.000-07:00

Tulsi is a sacred plant which can be found in almost every Hindu's home. Tulsi Pooja (Worship of Tulsi) is observed almost every day. The sacred plant, Tulsi is regarded as the incarnation of the goddess Mahalakshmi. Tulsi represents duty, dedication, love, virtue and sorrow of all women. That is why this herb is usually worshipped by women of all age groups.

"Every home with a Tulasi plant is a place of pilgrimage, and no diseases, messengers of Yama, the God of Death, can enter it."

Wherever the aroma of Tulasi is carried by the wind, it purifies the atmosphere and frees all animals from all baser tendencies."
Benefits of Worshiping Tulasi-devi
Although we can never fully describe the glories of Tulasi-devi, an eternal associate of Lord Krsna. The scriptures give us a hint of the value of worshiping her. The following list comes from the Padma Purana.
Tulasi is the essence of all devotional activities.
The leaves, flowers, roots, bark, branches, trunk, and shade of Tulasi-devi are all spiritual.
One who with devotion applies the paste of Tulasi wood to the Deity of Krsna will always live close to Krsna.

One who puts mud from the base of the Tulasi tree on his body and worships the Deity of Lord Krishna gets the results of one hundred days worship each day.
One who offers a Tulasi manjari to Lord Krishna gets the benefit of offering all other varieties of flowers, and he goes to the abode of Krishna.

One who sees or comes near a house or garden where the Tulasi plant is present gets rid of all his sinful reactions, including that of killing a brahmana.
Lord Krishna happily lives in the house, town, or forest where Tulasi-devi is present.
A house where Tulasi-devi is present never falls on bad times, and it becomes purer than all holy places.
The fragrance of Tulasi-devi purifies all who smell it.
Lord Krishna and all the demigods live in a house where mud from the base of the Tulasi tree is found.
Without Tulasi leaves, Lord Krishna does not like to accept flowers, food, or sandalwood paste.
One who worships Lord Krishna daily with Tulasi leaves attains the results of all kinds of austerity, charity, and sacrifice. In fact, he has no other duties to perform, and he has realized the essence of the scriptures.
One who puts into his mouth or on his head Tulasi leaves that have been offered to Lord Krishna attains Lord Krishna's abode.
In Kali-yuga, one who worships, remembers, plants, keeps, or performs kirtana before Tulasi burns up all sinful reactions and quickly attains Lord Krishna's abode.
One who worships Lord Krishna with Tulasi leaves releases all his ancestors from the realm of birth and death.
One who remembers the glories of Tulasi or tells others about them will never take birth again.

The Worship of Srimati Tulasi-devi

For devotees aspiring to enter the eternal realm of Vrindavan, service to Vrinda-devi is essential. Srila Prabhupada stressed this by making Tulasi puja a daily part of our morning program. Tulasi-devi is an expansion of Vrinda-devi in this world. Every morning we pray to Vrinda-devi:

"ye tomara sarana loy tara vancha purna hoy krpa kori koro tare vrndavana-vasi"

"Whoever takes shelter of you, all his desires are fulfilled and by your mercy he becomes a resident of Vrndavana."

Srimati Tulasi-devi is worshiped in the morning, after mangala-arati, when all the devotees should attend to her worship and circumambulation. First, obeisances are offered to Tulasi-devi with the Tulasi pranama mantra. Following, the Tulasi-puja-kirtana song is sung while Tulasi-devi is offered incense, a ghee lamp, and flowers. When the song is finished, the assembled devotees circumambulate Tulasi-devi four times, offering her water. During the circumambulation we are chanting the mantra: yani kani ca papani brahma-hatyadikani ca / tani tani pranasyanti pradaksinah pade pade. Finally, we again offer obeisances with the Tulasi pranama mantra.

Caring for Tulasi
No sprays can be used, not at all. The best thing is to simply daily water Tulasi-devi and keep her clean. Nothing else is required. Letter from Srila Prabhupada - July 26, l975, Los Angeles
Please take care of the Tulasi plants in the following way. This is the best season for growing Tulasi plants. From 15 April to 15 June is the best season for growing this plant. Now I understand that the seedlings are coming out, so the whole spot if possible may be covered by some net because the seedling stage creepers, being very delicate, are sometimes eaten up by the sparrows, so we have to give a little protection from attack of the sparrows. All the devotees should pour water at least once in the morning before taking prasadam. The watering should not be very much large in quantity, but it should be poured just to keep the ground soft and moist. Sunlight also should be allowed. When the creepers are grown at least 7 inches high, then you can take them out from the planting soil and transplant them in a row in a different place. Then go on watering and they will grow like anything. I think this plant cannot grow in cold countries, but if the plants are dispatched from your place and if the devotees take care of the plant with a little care in a flower pot then it may grow. Letter from Srila Prabhupada - April 7, 1970, Los Angeles

Should Tulasi be given to families who visit the temples? No, let them come and offer respects to Tulasi-devi instead. If they still want to have Tulasi-devi you can give them seeds and let the guests grow the plants from seed. Letter from Srila Prabhupada - May 5, 1971, Bombay
The Glories Of Tulasi puja from Sri Garga-Samhita
(2.16) translated by Sriman Kusakratha Dasa
Sri Radha, the goddess of the rasa dance, spoke to Her friend Candranana, the best of the knowers of religion. Sri Radha said, "Please tell Me what kind of worship I should perform to please Sri Krsna, worship that will bring auspiciousness, piety, and the fulfillment of My desire. O beautiful one, you heard the religious scriptures from Garga Muni's own mouth. O noble hearted one, please tell Me what vow or what worship I should perform." Hearing Radha's words, and reflecting on them in her heart for a moment, Candranana, the best of all friends, replied, "O Radha, service to Tulasi gives the greatest piety, the greatest good fortune and the greatest benediction. It gives Lord Krsna's association. You should always gaze on Tulasi, touch her. Then she will grant Your desire."
"They who, day after day, serve Tulasi in these nine ways attain the results of pious deeds performed in many thousands of millions of yugas... As many branches, sub-branches, seeds, flowers and leaves as are on the Tulasi he has planted, so many ancestors and descendants in His family for thousands of kalpa-yugas will go to Lord Krishna's transcendental abode. O Radha, by offering Him every flower and leaf that exists, a person who, with offerings of Tulasi-leaves worships Lord Krishna is not touched by sin as a lotus is not touched by water... A home in the midst of a Tulasi forest is a sacred pilgrimage place. Yamaraj's servants will never enter that home."
"For persons who plant, protect, water, see or touch her, Tulasi burns the sins committed with the body, mind and words. On a single Tulasi leaf the holy places beginning with Puskara, the sacred rivers beginning with the Ganga, and the Deities headed by Lord Vasudeva reside. Even though stained with a hundred sins, a person who touches a Tulasi-manjari as he leaves this life does not see Yamaraja."
"O friend, as four-faced Brahma cannot describe all the glories of Lord Krishna, who holds the Sarnga bow, so he cannot describe all the glories of Tulasi. A man or woman who offers sandal-paste and Tulasi to Sri Krsnacandra's feet attains the results I have told to You. O gopi, serve Tulasi every day. Then Sri Krishna will come under Your control [having won His heart.]"

After hearing Candranana's words, Sri Radha, the queen of the rasa dance, in order to please Lord Krsna, began to serve Tulasi. Taking Tulasi, beautiful with many green leaves, to the middle of a ketaki forest, and placing her in a Tulasi-temple that was round, tall, a hundred hastas in size, beautiful with walls of gold and rubies, splendid with an outer wall of emeralds, diamonds and pearls, decorated with cintamani gems, arched gateways, gold flags and gold awnings everywhere, and glorious like Indra's palace, at the time of the star Abhijit, saintly Radha served Sri Tulasi. Beginning with the full moon of the month of Asvina (Sept/Oct), and ending with the full moon of Caitra (Mar/Apr), to please Sri Krsna, saintly Radha followed a vow with great devotion. Month after month She sprinkled Tulasi with milk, sugar-cane juice, grape-juice, mango-juice, pancamrta, and many kinds of sweet and cool juices. On the first day of Vaisakha (Apr/May), She ended the vow. King Vrsabhanu's daughter, Radha, then pleased two hundred-thousand brahmanas with a great feast of fifty six courses. Then Radha gave them daksina of a hundred bharas of gold and pearls to each brahmana. The demigods showered flowers on the Tulasi temple.
Then, seated on a glorious throne on a gold pedestal, Her eyes like lotus petals, and Her gold crown and earrings glittering, beautiful four-armed Tulasi, who is dear to Lord Krishna, appeared. Descending from the sky, Tulasi, beautiful as a flowering vine, with Her four arms embraced and then kissed Radha, who wore a new Vaijayanti garland, and whose snake-like braids were covered with a yellow cloth. Sri Tulasi said, "O daughter of Kalavati, I am pleased with You. I am eternally conquered by Your loving devotion. O beautiful one, as if You were an ordinary human being, You very carefully followed this vow. The desire that fills Your heart, mind, intelligence and senses will be attained. Lord Krsna will be kind to You, You are very fortunate."

To Tulasi, who spoke these words and who is dear to Lord Krishna, Radha bowed and said, "May I have unalloyed devotion for Lord Krishna's lotus feet." Saying, "So be it, " Krishna's beloved Tulasi disappeared. Then Radha, King Vrsabhanu's daughter, went home happy at heart.
A devotee who hears this wonderful story of Sri Radha attains first the three goals of material life and then the supreme spiritual goal of life.
All glories to Srimate Vrinda-devi!!!

Karthika Masam

2013-10-24T01:43:00.004-07:00

Karthika masam or month is one of the most auspicious month in a lunar calendar. The lunar calendar has been divided into two parts Dakshinayana and Uttararyana. Karthika Masam comes under Dakshinayana. Out of the two ayanas Dakshinayana is set aside for Sadhana. Sadhana means a process by which one would get salvation. Out of all the months in Dakshinayana Karthika Masam is best suited for Sadhana. Hence Karthika Masam is one of the most auspicious months of the lunar calendar.

The most important significance of the Karthika Masam is that, Karthika Masam is auspicious to both the devotees of Lord Shiva as well as Lord Vishnu. During Karthika Masam temples of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are busy with devotees thronging both the temples. Karthika Masam helps us to understand that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are not different but only one.

The Important Rituals of Karthika Masam or Karthika Month

Lighting of Diya or Lighting a Lamp

During Karthika Masam diyas are lit and placed in front of Tulasi plant and near the main entrance of the house before Sun rise and just before Sun set. It is considered auspicious to lit a diya during Karthika Masam.

Temples would light a Diya and would bring the diya to the top of the Dhwaja Sthambam in the temple and tie it there on Karthika Purnima or Karthika Pournami. This diya is called as Akasa Deepam.

Karthika Pournami is celebrated in similar lines of Diwali and the whole house is decorated with diyas. Crackers are burnt on Karthika Pournami.

Bathing in River or Nadi Snanam

Another important significance is bathing in river during Karthika Masam or Karthika Month. The rivers have received fresh water during the rain season comprising of Shravan and Bhadrapada Months. As the rivers over flow banks and are furious bathing in rivers during Shravana and Bhadrapada is prohibhited. The river completely settle by the time Karthika Masam starts.

Also the Moon during the Sharad Ruthuvu is a special one. Sharad Ruthuvu is known for the Moon light. Sharad Ruthuvu comprises of Ashwayuja or Ashwin month and Karthika Masam or Karthika Month. All along the Aswayuja Masam the river would absorb the energy from Moon by bathing in the river in Karhika Masam one can absorb this energy from the river. Hence it is mandated that one should take a bath in the river or perform Nadi Snanam in Karthika Masam.

The process of performing the Nadi Snanam is to close the nose with the two thumb fingers and close the ears with the middle fingers and take a dip so that the whole body along with the head is under the water. This has to be repeated for a minimum of three times.

Karthika Somavara Vratam

Few devotees would observe a Karthika Soma vara Vratham. The normal process of Karthika Somavara Vratham would be to fast for the whole day, perform the Rudra Abhishekam by chanting the Rudra Namakam and Rudra Chamakam. Then eat after seeing the stars.

The most important aspect of Karthika masam is hearing Karthika puranam. It is called as Karthika vratham. It normally includes the following rules:

Waking up early in Brahmi muhartham (4.00A.M)
Taking bath in rivers or ponds remembering Ganga
Shiva puja / Damodara (Vishnu) puja
Lighting Akasha deepam on sun-set
Understanding Karthika puranam

Samudra Manthan-The Churning of milk ocean

2013-09-30T01:41:00.004-07:00

In Hinduism, Samudra manthan or Ksheera Sagara Manthanam, Churning of the Ocean of Milk is one of the most famous periods in the Puranas. The story appears in the Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata and the Vishnu Purana. In literal terms, this tale is an allegorical description of what transpires during a kundalini awakening process. Kundalini is a latent energy that lays dormant in the spine. Upon awakening, it rises in a sensation akin to a slithering snake, up the spinal column

Samudra manthanam — Manthanam is the Sanskrit equivalent of Manthan meaning 'to churn'.
Sagar manthan — Sagar is another word for Samudra, both meaning an ocean or large water body.

Kshirsagar manthan — Kshirsagar means the ocean of milk. Kshirsagar = Kshir (milk) + Sagar (ocean).

The story of Samudra Manthan

Lord Indra, the King of Devatas, while riding on an elephant, came across a sage named Durvasa who offered him a special garland. Lord Indra accepted the garland, placing it on the trunk of the elephant as a test to prove that he was not an egoistic God. The elephant, knowing that Lord Indra had no control over his own ego, threw the garland to the ground. This enraged the sage as the garland was a dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was to be treated as prasada. Durvasa Muni cursed Lord Indra and all devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.

In battles that followed this incident, Devas were defeated and Asuras (demons) led by king Bali gained control of the universe. Devas sought help from God Vishnu Who advised them to treat asuras in a diplomatic manner. Devas formed an alliance with asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality and to share it among them. However, Lord Vishnu told Devas that He would arrange that they alone obtain the nectar.

Samudra manthan

The churning of the Ocean of Milk or the Milky Way was an elaborate process. Mount Mandarachala, also known as Mount Meru, was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the churning rope. The demons (asuras) demanded to hold the head of the snake, while the demigods (devas), taking advice from Vishnu, agreed to hold its tail. As a result the demons were poisoned by fumes emitted by Vasuki.
Despite this, the demigods and demons pulled back and forth on the snake's body alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean. However, once the mountain was placed on the ocean, it began to sink. Lord Vishnu in His second incarnation, in the form of a turtle Kurma, came to their rescue and supported the mountain on His back.

The Samudra Manthan process released a number of things from the Milk Ocean. One product was the lethal poison known as Halahala. (In some versions of the story, this poison escaped from the mouth of the serpent king as the demons and gods churned.) This terrified the gods and demons because the poison was so powerful that it could contaminate the Milk Ocean and destroy all of creation. On the advice of Lord Vishnu, the gods approached the compassionate Lord Shiva for help and protection. Lord Shiva inhaled the poison in an act to protect the universe that lies inside the Lord Siva, Goddess Parvati pressed her hand in act to save the universe.

Some stories suggest that the all powerful goddess pressed his neck to stop the poison from spreading while other stories suggest that Goddess Parvati suckled him in the form of Goddess Tara to stop the poison form spreading. There is another aspect by Dvaitha or dualist philosophies that Lord Vayu collected the poison in a conch and drank the whole except a few drops that spilled from the conch. Lord Shiva took the drops in his skull made bowl and drank in total. It is the power of Parvati's ear rings that he was saved. As a result, The color of Lord Shiva's neck turned blue. For this reason, Lord Shiva is also called Neelakanta (the blue-throated one; "neela" = "blue", "kantha" = "throat" in Sanskrit). When the heat from the poison finally became unbearable for Lord Shiva, he used his trishul to dig for water, thus forming the Gosaikunda lake.

Ratnas

All kinds of herbs were cast into the ocean and fourteen Ratnas (gems or treasures) were produced from the ocean and were divided between asuras and gods. Though usually the Ratnas are enumerated as 14, the list in the scriptures ranges from 9 to 14 Ratnas. Most lists include:^[2] According to the quality of the treasures produced, they were accepted by Vishnu, the devas, and the asuras. There were three categories of Goddesses which emerged from the ocean;

Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune and Wealth - who accepted Vishnu as Her eternal consort.
Apsaras, various divine nymphs like Rambha, Menaka, Punjisthala, Urvasi, Thilothamai, etc. - chose the demigods as their companions
Varuni or Sura, goddess and creator of alcohol - taken - somewhat reluctantly (she appeared dishevelled and argumentative) - accepted the demons.

Likewise, three types of supernatural animals appeared;

Kamadhenu or Surabhi(sanskrit:kāmadhuk), the wish-granting divine cow - taken by Vishnu, and given to sages so ghee from her milk could be used in sacrifices.
Airavata, and several other elephants, taken by Indra, leader of the devas.
Uchhaishravas, the divine 7-headed horse - given to the demons.

There were three valuables;

Kaustubha, the most valuable jewel in the world, worn by lord Vishnu.
Parijat, the divine flowering tree with blossoms that never fade or wilt - taken to Indraloka by the devas.
A powerful bow - symbolic of the demon's belligerence.

Additionally produced were;

Chandra, the moon which adorned Shiva's head
Dhanvantari, the doctor of the gods with Amrita the nectar of immortality. (At times, considered as two different Ratnas)
Halahala, the poison swallowed by Shiva

This list varies from Purana to Purana and is also slightly different in the epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Lists are completed by adding the following Ratnas:

Shankha Vishnu's conch
Jyestha - the goddess of misfortune
the umbrella taken by Varuna
the earrings given to Aditi, by her son Indra
Tulasi plant
Nidra or sloth

The nectar of immortality

Finally, Dhanvantari, the heavenly physician, emerged with a pot containing Amrita, the heavenly nectar of immortality. Fierce fighting ensued between Devas and Asuras for the nectar. To protect the nectar from Asuras, the divine Garuda took the pot, and flew away from the battle-scene. While Garuda was in his flight over planet Earth, it is believed that four drops of nectar fell at four places - Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. This legend is the basis for the belief that these places acquired a certain mystical power and spirituality.A Kumbh Mela is celebrated at the four places every twelve years for this reason. People believe that after bathing there during the Kumbha mela, one can get the primeval heaven and moksha(sanskrit:mokṣha).

However, Rahu, one of the Asuras, eventually got hold of the nectar and started celebrating. Frightened, devas (demigods) appealed to Vishnu, who then took the form of Mohini. As a beautiful and enchanting damsel, Mohini distracted the asuras, took the amrita, and distributed it among the Devas, who drank it. Asura RahuKetu , disguised himself as a deva and drank some nectar. Due to their luminous nature, the sun god Surya and the moon god Chandra noticed the switching of sides.

They informed Mohini. But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini cut off his head with her divine discus, the Sudarshana Chakra.But as the nectar had gone down his throat he did not die. From that day, his head was called Rahu and body was called ketu who became planets later.

Dakshayagnam

2013-09-19T02:28:00.003-07:00

The mythological story of Daksha Yaga has immense influence in Shaivism, Shaktism literatures. Innumerable mythologies were derived or resulted as an epilogue of this mythology, The origin of Shakti Peethas, Marriage of Shiva and ShreeParvati resulting in the birth of Ganesh and Subrahmanya, the story about the death of Kamadeva are few among them.
Daksha was one of the Prajapati, Son Brahma and one among his foremost creations. The name Daksha means ‘Skilled one’. Daksha had two wives Prasoothi and Panchajani (Virini). Sati (also known as ‘‘Uma’’ for her generous austerity) was his youngest daughter born from Prasoothi (the daughter of the Prajapati Manu), she was the pet child of Daksha and he always carried her along with him. Sati, the name means the feminine of Sat (‘The truth’). She is called Dakshayani as she followed Daksha’s path, this is derived from Sanskrit words Daksha and Ayana(Walk or Path).
The mythology is mainly told in the Vaayu Purana. It is also mentioned in the Kasi Kanda of the Skanda Purana, the Kurma Purana, Harivamsa Purana and Padma Purana. Linga Purana, Shiva Purana and Matsya Purana also narrates the incident.

Sati-Shiva Marriage

Sati, the youngest daughter of Daksha, was in deep love with Shiva and wished to become his wife. Her worship and devotion towards Shiva, strengthened the immense desire in her to become his better half. However Daksha did not like his daughter’s contemplation towards Shiva, mainly because Daksha is a Prajapati, the Emperor of dakshina desa of Aryavarta (ancient Indian region (comprising Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh) following the Aryan culture), and the son of Brahma deva; and Sati, the Emperor's daughter, apparently the royal princess. They were wealthy nobility and their imperial royal lifestyle was entirely different to that of Shiva. Daksha as an Emperor wanted to increase his influence and power by having marriage alliances with powerful empires and influential Sages and Adityas(Gods).

Shiva on the other hand led a very modest life. He lived among the downtrodden, wore a tiger skin, he smeared ashes on his body, he had thick locks of matted hair, he begged with a skull as bowl, his abode is Mount Kailasa in the freezing cold Himalayas where only mountains, rocks and snow were present. He embraced all kind of living being and did not keep any distinction between good soul and bad soul, the Bhutaganas’ (assembly of heads of clans), his followers, consisted of all kinds of ghosts, demons, ghouls and goblins. He wandered though garden and graveyard alike.
Daksha hence had aversion towards Shiva in being his daughter’s companion. However unlike Daksha, Sati Devi loved Shiva as she had the revelation that Shiva, the Supreme Rudra is in fact The Mahadev, or The Paramashwara (The Supreme Almighty-Parabrahma) itself.

When his daughters’ grew up, Daksha conducted a Swayamvara yagam. Swayamvara was an ancient kind of marriage, where the woman gets the authority to choose her husband from the prospective proposals. Sati undoubtedly chose Shiva. The marriage ceremony of Sati and Shiva was conducted. Daksha was forced to accept Shiva as his son-in-law, as he could not influence the groom selection process.
Brahma's Yaga
Once Brahma dev Daksha’s father conducted a huge yaga, all the Prajapathi around the world and all the Adityas, Kings were called upon by Brahma for the yaga. Shiva and Sati were also called to participate in the yaga. All of them came for the yaga and sat in the ceremonial place. Daksha came last. When he came all of them in the yaga stood up in reverence for him as he was one of the Prajapati, but Brahma, Shiva and Sati Devi did not stand when Daksha came to the yaga shala.
It was a worldwide ceremony where in all the Emperors, Kings and revered people around the world were present so strict adherence in etiquette was mandatory. Brahma Dev did not stand as he was Daksha’s father. Sati did not stand as she can only follow what her husband does.
Shiva was following the cultural etiquette of a son-in-law. According to the culture Son-in-Law is the one who is the guardian of a man's daughter; a highly respected stature. The culture is that once a girl is married to a man the girl moves out of her Gotra(race) and joins her husband's Gotra. The couple is then considered as outsiders to the girl's family. Daksha is the son of the yaga host, Brahma deva; which apparently makes Daksha the host himself. A prevalent culture in the region is that, for welcoming an incoming guest, hosts stand up and receive him. Another culture is that a guest need not have to welcome an inmate in the inmate's home; where as a younger inmate of a house should stand and show his reverence when an older inmate comes.
Shiva was a guest of Daksha, and if he stood up, it would be like Shiva, the son-in-law welcoming Daksha in Daksha’s home. More than that if Shiva stood up he is indirectly proclaiming that he is an inmate of his wife's house, in-front of the whole world, which is culturally considered as one of the worst social status, a man and his family can possess. So Shiva sat in his chair itself when Daksha came, in order to comply with the etiquette formalities. It was not only to guard his and his Gotra's prestige but also Daksha's prestige in-front of the world. Daksha being an Emperor will get insulted in front of the entire world in making his son-in-law as his house member, it will be a disgrace to Sati too. But Daksha, the pompous Emperor, misunderstood Shiva’s gesture. He thought Shiva was insulting him by not paying respect towards him. He vowed to take revenge on the insult in the same manner.

The Daksha Yaga
Daksha’s grudge towards Shiva compounded after these incidents. As a prime motive to insult Shiva, Daksha started a great yaga similar the yaga conducted by Brahma. The Yaga was to be presided by Sage Bhrigu. He invited all the Adityas(Gods), Prajapatis’ and Kings to attend the yaga and intentionally avoided inviting Shiva and Sati.

Sati's entry to the ceremony

Sati came to know about the grand yagnja organized by her father. She requested Shiva to attend the yaga. Shiva refused her request saying that it is not well-mannered way in attending an uninvited function. He reminded her that she is now his wife more than Daksha’s daughter and so after marriage she is a member of Shiva’s family of rather than Daksha’s. The feeling of personal bondage with her parents overpowered the social etiquette she had to follow. She even had a notion that there is no need to invite her because she is Daksha’s pet daughter and no formality existed between them. She consistently pleaded and urged to Shiva to let her go and attend the ceremony, and became adamant in her demand without listening to the reasons Shiva told for not attending the function. He allowed Sati to go to her parents, along with Nandi, and attend the ceremony, but Shiva himself did not go along with her.

Upon reaching Sati tried to meet her parents and sisters, Daksha was arrogant and avoided to interact with Sati. He repeatedly snubbed her in front of all the dignitaries but Sati maintained her composure. Upon Sati’s persistent urge to interact, Daksha reacted vehemently, he insulted her in front of all others in coming to the ceremony in which she has not been invited. He called Shiva atheist and cremation ground dweller. As planned he took advantage of the situation he continued shouting repugnant words against Shiva. Sati fell in deep remorse in not listening to her beloved husband, Daksha’s disdain towards her and especially towards her dearly loved Shiva in front of the entire people was growing each instant she stood there. The shameless insult and humiliation on her and her beloved eventually became too unbearable for her.

She cursed Daksha for doing such atrocious act towards his innocent child and her well respected husband and reminded him that his haughty behavior had blinded his intellect. She cursed him that the wrath of Shiva will destroy him and his empire. Sati unable to bear further pain suicided, by moving into the sacrificial fire. The beloved daughter of the entire race was engulfed in fire.
The onlookers around tried to save Sati by extinguishing the fire but it was too late.They were only able to find the half burnt body of Sati. She was no more. The most loved progeny of Daksha's race who was the source of their happiness of their rece faded away like a gleam to satisfy her father's pride. Daksha's pride being a Prajapati and prejudice against his son-in-law created amass hatred within himself, which resulted in the death of his daughter.
The Nandi and the accompanied bhootas went out of the yaga place after the incident. Nandi curses the participants and Bhrigu reacted by cursing the Bhootaganas back.

The wrath of Shiva

Shiva went in pang upon hearing the shocking death of his wife. His sadness and grief grew into terrible anger when he knew how Daksha viciously plotted a treachery on Shiva and it was his innocent wife who fell into the trap instead of him. Shiva came to know about Daksha’s callous behavior towards Sati. Even though Sati was once his favorite daughter; in order to satisfy his ego and pride he forced Sati to die dishonorably. Shiva tantrum became so aggravated that he plucked a bunch of his lock from head and dashed it to the ground and broke it into two with his leg. Armed and frightening Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali (Invocation Bhadrakali along with Veerabhadra mentioned in Vayu Purana) emerged from that. Shiva ordered them to kill Daksha and destroy the yaga.

The ferocious Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali along with the Butaganas’ marched south and waged a terrible assault towards Daksha. Daksha’s army was swiftly and brutally crushed and slaughtered and they started destroying the yaga surroundings, like a hurricane entering a city, people renounced the yaga and started running away from the turmoil.

Sage Bhrigu created an army with his divine penance powers to resist Shiva’s attack and protect the yaga. Bhrigu’s army was not able to bear the brunt, they were demolished and the entire premises were ravaged. All those who participated even the Prajapathis and Adityas(Gods) were mercilessly beaten, wounded or even slaughtered. Daksha was caught and decapitated, the attack culminated when the Bhutaganas started plucking out Sage Bhrigu’s white beard as a victory souvenir.

According to the Shaiva and Vaishnava Puranas the mythology of Daksha Yaga ends here. The rest of the mythology is the epilogue of story of Daksha Yaga mentioned in Shakta Puranas like Devi Bhagavatha Purana, Kalika Purana and the folklores of various regions. The one following is a Shaiva version. The Vaishnava versions are also mentioned in the Notes section.

The sorrow of Shiva

The sacrificial ceremony of this extent, the yagnja, was obstructed and desolated. As the obstruction of yaga will create havoc and severe ill effects on the nature, Brahma and Vishnu went to call the grief stricken Shiva to the location of yaga. They comforted and showed their sympathy towards Shiva. They requested him to come to the yaga location and pacify the bhutagana s’ and allow the yaga to be completed. Shiva agreed and the Trimurthy together came to the site. Shiva found the burnt body of his wife. In the poignant surroundings, nobody around could prevent their eyes getting wet when they saw the heartbreaking sorrow of Shiva. Vishnu came near Shiva and embraced his beloved mate and comforted him. Shiva gave permission to continue yaga. Daksha was absolved by Shiva and the head of the Ram(Male goat) meant for yaga was fixed on the decapitated body of Daksha and gave his life back. The yaga or yagnjam was completed successfully.

Shiva was so distressed and could not part away from his beloved wife. He took the dead body of Sati and wandered around the land. The parts of Sati’s dead body fell on the places Shiva wandered. These places commemorating each body part came to be known as The Shakti peethas. There are 51 Shakti peethas, representing the 51 alphabets of Sanskrit.
Shiva went to isolation and solitude for ages and wandered all around until Sati devi took birth as Shri Parvati as the daughter of the King Himavana.

Parvati took penance and gave away all her royal privileges and went to forest She then came to be known as ‘‘Aparna’’ the one without sustenance.

Shiva tested her affection and devotion in disguise and even persuaded her to go away by telling downbeat impression about Shiva, but Parvati’s contemplation towards Shiva was so strong, Shiva himself could not deter her.

He eventually realized Parvati is Uma or Sati herself. Shiva later on married Shri Parvati as Sundareshwara.

Har Har Mahadev...

2013-09-19T01:23:00.002-07:00

Shiva , also known as Mahadeva, Mahesh ("Great God") or Bholenath ("Simple Lord"), is a popular Hindu deity and considered the Supreme God within Shaivism, one of the three most influential denominations in Hinduism. Shiva is regarded as one of the primary forms of God, such as one of the five primary forms of God in the Smarta tradition, and "the Destroyer" or "the Transformer" among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. Shiva is also regarded as the patron god of yoga and arts.

Shiva is usually worshipped in the aniconic form of Lingam. Shiva of the highest level is limitless, transcendent, unchanging and formless. However, Shiva also has many benevolent and fearsome forms. In benevolent aspects, he is depicted as an omniscient yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash, as well as a householder with wife Parvati and two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya or as the Cosmic Dancer. In fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying demons. The most recognizable iconographical attributes of the god are a third eye on his forehead, a snake around his neck, the crescent moon adorning and the river Ganga flowing from his matted hair, the trishula as his weapon and the damaru as his instrument.

Third eye: (Trilochana) Shiva is often depicted with a third eye, with which he burned Desire (Kāma) to ashes, called "Tryambakam" (Sanskrit: त्र्यम्बकम् ), which occurs in many scriptural sources. In classical Sanskrit, the word ambaka denotes "an eye", and in the Mahabharata, Shiva is depicted as three-eyed, so this name is sometimes translated as "having three eyes". However, in Vedic Sanskrit, the word ambā or ambikā means "mother", and this early meaning of the word is the basis for the translation "three mothers".These three mother-goddesses who are collectively called the Ambikās. Other related translations have been based on the idea that the name actually refers to the oblations given to Rudra, which according to some traditions were shared with the goddess Ambikā.It has been mentioned that when Shiva loses his temper badly, his third eye opens which can destroy most of the things to ashes.

Rukmini Kalyanam

2013-09-16T04:23:00.001-07:00

Rukmini (or Rukmani) is the principal wife and queen of the Hindu god Krishna, the king of Dwaraka. Krishna heroically eloped with her to prevent an unwanted marriage at her request (described in the Bhagavata Purana). Of Krishna's 16,108 queens, Rukmini is the first and most prominent. Rukmini is also considered to be an avatar of Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune.

Birth:

According to traditional accounts, princess Rukmini is believed to have been born on Vaishakha 12. Although born of an earthly king, her position as an incarnation of goddess Lakshmi is described throughout Puranic literature:

O hero among the Kurus, the Supreme Lord Himself, Govinda, married King Bhishmaka's daughter, Vaidarbhi, who was a direct expansion of the goddess of fortune [Sriyo maatraam].

Dwaraka's citizens were overjoyed to see Krishna, the Lord of all opulence, united with Rukmini, the goddess of fortune Ramã. (SB 10.54.60)

Lakshmi by Her portion took birth on earth as Rukmini in the family of Bhismaka. (Mahabharata Adi 67.156)

Rukminidevi, the Queen Consort of Krishna is the Swarupa-shakti (mulaprakriti), the essential potency of Krishna (krsnatmika) and She is the Queen of the Divine World (jagatkatri), Dwaraka/Vaikuntha.

She was from Arunachal Pradesh, ANINI and she belongs from Idu mishmi tribes of arunachal pradesh. local people knewn as Nani intaya.

The Shrutis which are closely associated with the narrations of the pastimes of the Vraja-gopis with svayam-rupa Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the Parabrahma, have declared this truth (Gopala-tapani Upanisad 57). They cannot be separated. As Lakshmi is Vishnu's Shakti (power or strength) so even as Rukmini is Krishna's strength.

Marriage

Rukmini was the daughter of Bhishmaka, the king of Vidarbha. Bhismaka was the vassal of King Jarasandha of Magadha. She fell in love with and longed for Krishna, whose virtue, character, charm and greatness she had heard much of. Rukmini's eldest brother Rukmi though was a friend of evil King Kansa, who was killed by Krishna, and was set against the marriage.
According to the Mahabharat and the Puranas, Draupadi was regarded as the most beautiful and virtuous of all women at the time. It is said that if there was any one woman just as beautiful and virtuous as she was, it was Rukmini.
Rukmini's parents wanted to marry Rukmini to Krishna but Rukmi, her brother strongly opposed Bhishmaka and changed his father's mind. Rukmi was an ambitious prince and he did not want to earn the wrath of Emperor Jarasandha,who was ruthless.Instead, he proposed that she be married to his friend Shishupala, the crown prince of Chedi. Shishupala was also a vassal of Jarasandha and hence an ally of Rukmi.
Bhishmaka gave in but Rukmini, who had overheard the conversation was horrified and immediately sent for a brahmana, Sunanda, whom she trusted and asked him to deliver a letter to Krishna. She asked Krishna to come to Vidarbha and kidnap her to avoid a battle where her relatives may be killed. She suggested that he do this when she was on her way to the temple or back. Rukmini asked that he claim her to marry her. Krishna, having received the message in Dwarka, immediately set out for Vidarbha with Balarama, his elder brother.

Meanwhile, Shishupala was overjoyed at the news from Rukmi that he could simply go to Kundina (present day Koundanyapur) Amravati district and claim Rukmini. Jarasandha, not so trusting, sent all his vassals and allies along because he felt that Krishna would certainly come to snatch Rukmini away.
Bhishmaka and Rukmini received the news that Krishna was coming by their respective spies. Bhishmaka, who secretly approved of Krishna and wished he would take Rukmini away had a furnished mansion set up for him.
He welcomed them joyfully and made them comfortable. Meanwhile, at the palace, Rukmini got ready for her upcoming marriage. She went to the shrine to pray but was severely disappointed when she did not see Krishna there. Inside the shrine, she prayed to goddess Parvati that Krishna would arrive and wed her. As she stepped out, she saw Krishna and he soon swept her into his chariot with him. They both started to ride off when Shishupala noticed them. All of Jarasandha's forces quickly started chasing them. While Balarama occupied most of them and held them back Rukmi had almost caught up with Krishna and Rukmini.
Krishna and Rukmi duelled with the inevitable result of Krishna's victory. When Krishna was about to kill him, Rukmini fell at the feet of Krishna and begged that her brother's life be spared. Krishna, generous as always agreed but as punishment, shaved Rukmi's head and let him go free. There was no greater shame for a warrior than a visible sign of defeat.(according to local sources of information, the tribes of idu mishmi cutting hair by tradition knewn as CHULIKATA Mishmi named by Britishers is considered only due to Krishna sign of defeat during the war with krishna in order to defend the sister, and local people are still mystery about sources of krishna called as ANNO Taju, Anno means Krishna and Taju means story. there are many oral story regarding the Anno(Krishna) but exactly they don't knew the relevant of rukmini due to lack of written reccord or script. people called Nata Rukma(word Nata means Grandfather and Rukma was her brother)

According to folklore, Lord Krishna came to the village of Madhavpur Ghed after kidnapping Rukmini and got married to her at this very place.

In the memory of that event, there is a temple built for lord Madhavrai. A celebration of this event is held at Madhavpur in memory of this marriage every year in a cultural fair.

A few days later at Dwaraka, Krishna was married to Rukmini with great pomp and ceremony.

Vishnu Avatars.......

2013-06-15T03:42:00.001-07:00

In the basic Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the Hindu god Vishnu is the preserver and protector of creation. Vishnu is the embodiment of mercy and goodness, the self-existent, all-pervading power that preserves the universe and maintains the cosmic order Dharma.

Vishnu is often represented resting on the coiled serpent Shesha, with Vishnu's consort Lakshmi massaging his feet. Vishnu never sleeps and is the deity of Shanti, the peaceful mood. Vishnu does not however tolerate Ego.

Most often, the Hindu god Vishnu is shown with four attributes or weapons. In one hand Vishnu holds the conch or Sankha. The second hand of Vishnu holds the disc or Vaijra. The third hand of Vishnu holds the club and in the fourth hand Vishnu holds the lotus or Padma. Vishnu also has a bow called Sarnga and a sword called Nandaka.

Most of the time, good and evil forces are evenly matched in the world. But at times, the balance is destroyed and evil demons get the upper hand. Often in response to a request by the other gods, Vishnu then incarnates in a human form to set the balance right again. 10 Vishnu incarnations are generally recognized as the most important Vishnu avatars, even though opinions differ naturally and some sources may also see other important figures of the indian heritage as incarnations of Vishnu.

Following is an overview of the 10 principal avatars of Vishnu :

	First incarnation of Vishnu : Matsya or the Fish incarnation : in this form Vishnu saved the Saint Vaivaswata, the hindu variety of the biblical Noah (or vice versa).
	Second incarnation of Vishnu : Kurma or the Turtle incarnation : at the Churning of the Ocean, Vishnu as Koorma (or Kurma) offered his back as a pivot on which to rest the Mount Mandara, used as a churning stick by gods and demons. More information also on the Kurma page.
	Third incarnation of Vishnu : Varaha or the Boar incarnation of Vishnu : he killed the demon Hiranyaksha, recovered the stolen Veda's and released the Earth from the bottom of the ocean.
	Fourth incarnation of Vishnu : Narasingha or the Lion incarnation : as a creature who was half-lion and half-man, Vishnu killed the demon Hiranyashasipu, brother of Niranyaksha, who had gained the boon of immunity from attacks by man, beast or god.
	Fifth incarnation of Vishnu : Vamana or the Dwarf incarnation : he killed the demon Bali, who had gained dominion over the Earth and had chased the gods from the heavens. More can be read on the Vamana page.
	Sixth incarnation of Vishnu : Parasurama : he killed the King Kartavirya, who had stolen the holy cow Kamadhenu, which could grant all desires.
	Seventh incarnation of Vishnu : Ram : he killed the demon King Ravana, who had abducted Sita. More on Ram can be read on the Ramayana page.
	Eigth incarnation of Vishnu : Krishna : he killed Kansa, son of a demon and the tyrannical King of Mathura. More on Krishna can be read in the Life of Krishna.
	Ninth incarnation of Vishnu : Buddha : Vishnu incarnated to remove suffering from the world. More on Buddha can be read on the Buddha page. While some Hindus may oppose to seeing Buddha as a Vishnu incarnation, many other Hindus in fact embrace Buddha as such and worship Buddha both in Buddhist temples as in Hindu temples.
	Tenth Incarnation of Vishnu : Kalki : still to come at the end of the Kaliyuga or the present age of decline, when Vishnu will appear in person on Earth, seated on a white horse, Kalki, which is his tenth incarnation.

The Legend of Radha Krishna

2012-10-27T02:20:00.002-07:00

The Radha-Krishna amour is a love legend of all times. It's indeed hard to miss the many legends and paintings illustrating Krishna's love affairs, of which the Radha-Krishna affair is the most memorable. Krishna's relationship with Radha, his favorite among the 'gopis' (cow-herding maidens).
There are numerous legends and stories of Radha and Krishna depicting their true love. Radha's devotion and dedication towards Sri Krishna is the most sincere one.

Radha, also called Radhika, Radharani and Radhikarani, is the childhood friend and lover of Krishna in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, and the Gita Govinda of the Vaisnava traditions of Hinduism. Radha is almost always depicted alongside Krishna and features prominently within the theology of today's Gaudiya Vaishnava sect, which regards Radha as the original Goddess or Shakti. Radha is also the principal object of worship in the Nimbarka Sampradaya, as Nimbarka, the founder of the tradition, declared that Radha and Krishna together constitute the absolute truth.

Radha, daughter of Vrishabhanu, was the mistress of Krishna during that period of his life when he lived among the cowherds of Vrindavan. Since childhood they were close to each other - they played, they danced, they fought, they grew up together and wanted to be together forever, but the world pulled them apart. He departed to safeguard the virtues of truth, and she waited for him.

He vanquished his enemies, became the king, and came to be worshipped as a lord of the universe. She waited for him. He married Rukmini and Satyabhama, raised a family, fought the great war of Ayodhya, and she still waited. So great was Radha's love for Krishna that even today her name is uttered whenever Krishna is refered to, and Krishna worship is though to be incomplete without the deification of Radha.

One day the two most talked about lovers come together for a final single meeting. Suradasa in his Radha-Krishna lyrics relates the various amorous delights of the union of Radha and Krishna in this ceremonious 'Gandharva' form of their wedding in front of five hundred and sixty million people of Vraj and all the gods and goddesses of heaven. The sage Vyasa refers to this as the 'Rasa'.

Age after age, this evergreen love theme has engrossed poets, painters, musicians and all Krishna devotees alike.
Radha Krishna Bhajans:

(Krishna bhajans) Na Mein Meera Na Mein Radha - by Mridul krishna shastri ji

Lord Krishna playing flute for Radharani

Kanakadurga Temple,Vijayawada

2012-10-19T02:11:00.000-07:00

Kanaka Durga Temple is a famous Hindu Temple of Goddess Kanaka Durga located in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is located on the Indrakeeladri hill, on the banks of Krishna River.
Kaalika puraana, Durgaa sapthashati and other vedic literature have mentioned about Goddess Kanaka Durga on the Indrakeelaadri and have described the deity as Swayambhu, (self-manifested) in Triteeya kalpa.
Goddess Legend:

According to a legend, the now verdant Vijayawada was once a rocky region strewn with hills that obstructed the flow of River Krishna. The land was thus rendered unfit for habitation or cultivation. Invocation to Lord Shiva for His intervention directed the hills to make way for the river. And lo! the river started flowing unimpeded with all its might, through the tunnels or "Bejjam" bored into the hills by Lord Shiva. That is how the place got its name Bezawada.

One of the many mythologies associated with this place is that Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva on top of Indrakeela hill to win His blessings and the city derived its name "Vijayawada" after this victory.

Another popular legend is about the triumph of goddess Kanakadurga over the demon King Mahishasura. It is said that the growing menace of demons became unbearable for the natives. Sage Indrakila practiced severe penance, and when the goddess appeared the sage pleaded Her to reside on his head and keep vigil on the wicked demons. As per his wishes of killing the demons, Goddess Durga made Indrakila Her permanent abode. Later, She also slayed the demon king Mahishasura freeing the people of Vijayawada from evil.

At the Kanakadurga temple, the enchanting 4-foot-high (1.2 m) icon of the deity is bedecked in glittering ornaments and bright flowers. She is shown eight arms, each holding a powerful weapon, in a standing posture over the demon Mahishashura and piercing him with her trident. The goddess is the epitome of beauty.

Adjacent to the Kanakadurga temple is the shrine of Malleswara Swamy on the Indrakiladri. By ascending the steps on the hill, one comes across little images of different deities, prominent among them are Kali, Shiva, and Krishna.

Kanakadurga Stotram by M.S Subbalaksmi:

Navaratri in Kanakadurga Temple,Vijayawada:
Durga Navaratri is a grand festival for the Vijayawada Temple.
On the first day(Ashwayuja Padyami) the Goddess is decorated in BalaTripura Sundari Devi Alankaram

On the second day(Ashwayuja Vidiya)the Goddess is decorated in Sri Gayatri Devi Alankaram

On the third day(Ashwayuja Thadiya)the Goddess is decorated in Sri Annapoorna Devi Alankaram.

On the fourth day(Ashwayuja Chavithi)the Goddess is decorated in Sri Mahalakshmi Devi Alankaram

On the fifth day(Ashwayuja Panchami and Sashti)the Goddess is decorated in Sri Saraswati Devi Alankaram

On the sixth day(Ashwayuja Saptami)the Goddess is decorated in Sri Lalitha Tripura Devi Alankaram

On the seventh day(Ashwayuja Ashtami)the Goddess is decorated in Sri Durga Devi Alankaram.

On the eigth day(Ashwayuja Navami)the Goddess is decorated in Sri Mahishasura Mardhini Devi Alankaram

On the ninth day(Ashwayuja Dashami)the Goddess is decorated in Sri Raja Rajeshwari Devi Alankaram

Krishna Janmashtami

2012-08-10T00:18:00.002-07:00

Krishna Janmashtami (Lord Krishna's Birth day) , also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti or sometimes merely as Janmashtami, is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, an avatar of the god Vishnu.
Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the Ashtami tithi, the eighth day of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadra in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatra is ascendant. The festival always falls within mid-August to mid-September in the Gregorian calendar.

Rasa Lila Dance

Rasa lila, dramatic enactments of the life of Krishna, are a special feature in regions of Mathura and Vrindavan, and regions following Vaishnavism in Manipur. While the Rasa lila re-creates the

Dahi Handi

flirtatious aspects of Krishna's youthful days, the Dahi Handi celebrate God's playful and mischievous side, where teams of young men form human pyramids to reach a high-hanging pot of butter and break it. This tradition, also known as uriadi, is a major event in Tamil Nadu on Gokulashtami.

krishnashtakam for krishnashtami

Pandurangadu - Govindu Koka Chutti - Bala Krishna - Sneha - Telugu Song

Muddugare Yashoda -

Jaya Janardhana Krishna

Annamacharya...

2012-08-04T01:53:00.001-07:00

Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya (or Annamayya) (May 9, 1408 – February 23, 1503) was the official songmaster of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, and a Telugu composer who composed around 36000 keertana songs, many of which were in praise of Venkateswara, the presiding deity of the temple. The musical form of the keertana songs that he composed have strongly influenced the structure of Carnatic music compositions, which are still popular among Carnatic music concert artists. Sri Annamacharya is remembered for his saintly life, and is honoured as a great Bhakta/devotee of Bhagwaan Govinda by devotees and saintly singers. He is widely regarded as the Pada-kavita Pitaamaha (grand old man of song-writing) of the Telugu language.

Annamacharya is said to have composed as many as 36,000 sankeertanas (songs) on Bhagwaan Govinda Venkateswara, of which only about 12,000 are available today. Annamacharya considered his compositions as floral offerings to Bhagwaan Govinda. In the poems, he praises Venkateswara, describes his love for him, argues and quarrels with the Lord, confesses the devotee's failures and apprehensions, and surrenders himself to Venkateshwara. His songs are classified into the Adhyaatma (spiritual) and Sringaara (romantic) sankeertanas genres. His songs in the "Sringaara" genre worship Bhagwaan Venkateswara by describing his amorous and romantic adventures of Venkateswara and Alamel Manga, while others describe the Bhakti of his devotees. In his later keertanas, he espouses subjects such as morality, dharma and righteousness. He was one of the first few who opposed the social stigma towards the untouchable castes in his era, with his sankeertanas explaining that the relationship between God and human is the same irrespective of the latters' color, caste and financial status, in beautiful yet powerful usage of words in his songs "Brahmam Okkate Parabrahmam Okkate..." and "E Kulajudainanemi Evvadainanemi..." His choice of words gives a mellifluous tone to his songs, charming the listener. His prodigious literary career earned him a place among the all-time greats of Telugu literature.
Some of Annamacharya 's Video Songs:

Podagantimayyamimmu purushotamma...annamayya song

brahmam okate

Nigama Nigamantha from Annamayya with English subtitles

Podagantimayyamimmu purushotamma...annamayya song

KONDALALO NELAKONNA - DR SHOBHA RAJU - ANNAMAACHARYA KEERTANALU

Tirupati....

2012-08-04T01:32:00.001-07:00

Tirupati Laddu:

Laddu is the world famous prasadam given at Tirumala Temple. Recently the Trust has taken Geographical Indication of Laddu prasaddam, hence, no one can prepare the same Laddu. Many other prasadams are also available including daddojanam (curd rice), pulihora (tamarind rice), vada and chakkera-pongali (sweet pongal), miryala-pongali, Appam, Paayasam, Jilebi, Muruku, Dosa, seera (kesari). Free meals are given daily to the pilgrims. On Thursdays, the Tirupavadai seva occurs, where food items are kept for naivedyam to Lord Srinivasa. The Geographical Indications Registry upheld its claim of a patent over the famous Tirupati laddu granted to it in September 2009. The Registry’s order granting the GI tag had been challenged earlier by a scientist and an intellectual property rights activist.

Hair tonsuring

Many devotees have their head tonsured as an offer. The daily amount of hair collected is over a ton.^[ The hair thus gathered is sold by the temple organization a few times a year by public auction to international buyers for use as hair extensions and in cosmetics, bringing over $6 million to the temple's treasury.
When Lord Balaji was hit on his head by a shepherd, a small portion of his scalp became bald. This is noticed by Neela Devi, a Gandharva princess. She feels "such an attractive face should not have a flaw". Immediately she cuts a portion of her hair and with her magical power she implants it on his scalp. Lord Balaji notices her sacrifice. As hair is a beautiful aspect of the female, he promises her that all his devotees who come to his abode should render their hair to him, and she would be the recipient of all the hair received. Hence it is believed that hair offered by the devotees is accepted by Neela Devi. The hill Neeladri, one among seven hills is named after her.

Videos of Lord Venkateshwara

2012-08-01T03:20:00.003-07:00

Sri Venkateshwara Suprabhatam-MS Subbalakshmi

Govinda Hari Govinda - Vishnu Bhajan Song - Tirupati Venkateswara Bhajan

Shri Venkateshwara Stotram

Tirupathi in 1950's a rare clip of Kumbhabhisekam and Ghantasala song from venkateshwara Mahathyam

Srinivasa Govinda 3 -Sri Venkatesam Sri Srinivasam Manasa Smarami

Ghantasala -Namo venkatesha

A devotee's culmination with his lord....

Sri Venkateshwara Swamy

2012-08-01T01:44:00.002-07:00

Venkateswara also known as Srinivasa, Balaji and Venkatachalapati is a form of the Hindu god Vishnu. Venkateswara means "the lord who destroys the sins of the people". According to the Hindu scriptures, Vishnu, out of love towards his devotees, incarnated as Venkateswara and appeared for the salvation and upliftment of humanity in this Kali Yuga age. It is considered the supreme form of Vishnu in this age. The Venkateswara swami temple is also called Kaliyuga Vaikuntam.

The story of Lord Venkateshwara with Goddess Padmavathi:

The rishis headed by Kasyapa began to perform a sacrifice on the banks of the Ganges. Sage Narada visited them and asked them why they were performing the sacrifice and who would be pleased by it. Not being able to answer the question, the rishis approached Sage Bhrigu. To reach a solution after a direct ascertainment of reality, Sage Bhrigu first went to Satyaloka, the abode of Lord Brahma.

At Satyaloka, he found Lord Brahma, reciting the four Vedas in praise of Lord Narayana, with each of his four heads, and attended upon by Saraswati. Lord Brahma did not take notice of Bhrigu offering obeisance. Concluding that Lord Brahma was unfit for worship, Bhrigu left Satyaloka for Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva.

At Kailasa, Bhrigu found Lord Siva spending his time pleasantly with Parvati and not noticing his presence. Parvati drew the attention of Siva to the presence of the sage. Lord Siva was furious at Bhrigu's intrusion and tried to destroy him. The sage cursed Lord Siva and left for Vaikuntam.

At Vaikuntam, Lord Vishnu (also called Srimannarayana) was reposing on Adisesha with Sri Mahalakshmi in service at His feet. Finding that Srimannarayana also did not notice him, the sage was infuriated and he kicked the Lord on His chest, the place where Mahalakshmi resides.

At once, Lord Vishnu hastened to apologise to the angry sage and pressed his feet to allay the pain caused to Bhrigu's leg. In doing so the Lord removed the eye in the foot of the sage, which gave Bhrigu power as to defy the Devas. Thereupon, the sage decided that Lord Vishnu was the most supreme of the trimurthis and told the rishis the same. Thereupon, they decided that Lord Vishnu was the fruit of the yaga.

Sri Mahalakshmi was angered by the action of her Lord in apologising to Bhrigu who committed an offence. She, therefore, left Vaikuntam without heeding the entreaties of the Lord.

At the commencement of the current Sveta Varaha Kalpa, the whole universe was filled with water and the Earth was immersed in it. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a white boar (Sri Varaha) and dived into the water to lift the Earth. He slew the demon Hiranyaksha who was obstructing Him and rescued the Earth.

Brahma and the other Devas praised Sri Varaha for saving the Earth by chanting the Vedas and showering flowers on Him. Lord Vishnu decided to stay on Earth in the form of Sri Varaha for some time, to punish the wicked and protect the virtuous. The place then came to be known as Varaha Kshetra and the vVaraha Kalpa commenced.

After the departure of Mahalakshmi, a forlorn Lord Vishnu left Vaikuntam and took abode in an ant-hill under a tamarind tree, beside a pushkarini on the Venkata Hill.

Taking pity on Lord Vishnu, Brahma and Maheshwara decided to assume the forms of a cow and its calf to serve Him

Surya, the Sun God informed Mahalakshmi of this and requested her to assume the form of a cowherdess and sell the cow and calf to the king of the Chola country.

The king of the Chola country bought the cow and its calf and sent them to graze on the Venkata Hill along with his herd of cattle. Discovering Lord Vishnu on the ant-hill, the cow provided its milk, and thus fed the Lord.

Meanwhile, at the palace, the cow was not yielding any milk, for which the Chola Queen chastised the cowherd severely.

To find out the cause of lack of milk, the cowherd followed the cow, hid himself behind a bush and discovered the cow emptying her udder over the ant-hill.

Incensed over the conduct of the cow, the cowherd aimed a blow with his axe on the head of the cow. However, Lord Vishnu rose from the ant-hill to receive the blow and save the cow.

When the cowherd saw the Lord bleed at the blow of his axe, he fell down and died of shock.

On the death of the cowherd, the cow returned, bellowing in fright and with blood stains all over her body, to the Chola King. To find out the cause of the cow's terror, the King followed her to the scene of the incident.

The King found the cowherd lying dead on the ground near the ant-hill. While he stood wondering how it had happened, Lord Vishnu rose from the ant-hill and cursed the King saying that he would become an asura because of the fault of his servant. The King pleaded innocence, and the Lord blessed him by saying that the curse would end when the Lord was adorned with a kireetam presented by Akasa Raja at the time of His marriage with Sri Padmavati.

Thereafter, Lord Vishnu or Srinivasa, decided to stay in Varaha Kshetra, and requested Sri Varahaswami to grant Him a site for His stay. His request being readily granted, Srinivasa ordained that a pilgrimage to His shrine would not be complete unless it is preceded by a bath in the Pushkarini and darshan of Sri Varahaswami, and that puja and naivedyam should be offered to Sri Varahaswami first.

In a nearby kingdom ruled King Akasha Rajan. Childless for many years, he had one day found a beautiful baby girl sleeping on a golden lotus in a golden box while ploughing the fields. He had named her Padmavathy. A beautiful and accomplished girl, Padmavathy had been granted a boon in her earlier birth that she would be married to Lord Vishnu. One day, Vishnu, who had been renamed Srinivasan by his devotee and foster mother Vakuladevi, went hunting in the forest. His wandering led him to a garden with a pond. Srinivasan was thirsty and tired. After drinking from the pond, he rested in the shade of a tree. Soon the soft singing of Padmavathy who was dancing in the garden with her companions roused him. He was stunned by her beauty and drawn to her. She too seemed to be drawn to him, but the angry attendants thinking him a mere hunter drove him away.

Depressed and unhappy he poured his troubles out to Vakuladevi. Now for the first time, he revealed to her who he really was and also told her the story of Padmavathy.

In the meanwhile, Padmavathy was dreaming of Srinivasa. She had no idea who he really was and knew that her parents would never let her be married to a hunter.

Srinivasa urged Vakuladevi to approach Padmavathy's father, Akasha Raja, with the marriage proposal. In the meanwhile he disguised himself as a soothsayer and went to the court of Akasha Raja. There, he assured Padmavathy that the hunter she had fallen in love with was no ordinary man but the Lord and told her that the worries would soon be over. Padmavathy too poured out her heart to her parents. At about the same time, Vakuladevi arrived with the marriage proposal. After consulting with the sages Akasha Raja accepted the proposal and invited Srinivasa to attend the wedding on Friday, the 10th day of Vaikasi.

Srinivasa now had arrangements to make. He sought a loan of one crore and 14 lakh coins of gold from Kubera and had Viswakarma, the divine architect create heavenly surroundings in the Seshadri hills.

The day of the wedding arrived, Lord Srinivasa was bathed in holy waters and dressed in jeweled ornaments befitting a royal bride groom. Then he set off in a procession for the court of Akasha Raja. There Padmavathy waited radiant in her beauty. Srinivasa was hailed with an arthi and led to the marriage hall. There the queen and King washed his feet while sage Vasishta chanted the Vedic mantras. Soon the wedding was over and it was time for Padmavathy to take leave of her parents.

Together, they lived for all eternity while Goddess Lakshmi, understanding the commitments of Lord Vishnu, chose to live in his heart forever.

Tirupati, today, stands as a special place, commemorating the marriage between the two. Everyday, a kalyana utsavam celebrates the divine union in a celebration that stretches to eternity. Even today, during the Brahmotsavam at the temple, turmeric, kumkum and a sari are sent from the temple to Tiruchanur, the abode of Padmavathy. In fact Tirupati is rarely visited without paying a visit to Tiruchanur.

In the light of this background, it has become the favored destination of many newly wed couples who pray for a happy wedding - a wedding like that of Srinivasa and Padmavathy.

Dwaraka Birthplace of Lord Krishna

2012-08-01T00:24:00.003-07:00

Dwarka also spelled Dvarka, Dwaraka, and Dvaraka, is a city and a municipality of Jamnagar district in the Gujarat state in India. Dwarka (Dvaraka in Sanskrit - used in this article when referring to the city in a historical context), also known as Dwarawati in Sanskrit literature is rated as one of the seven most ancient cities in the country. The legendary city of Dvaraka was the dwelling place of Lord Krishna.

The city was built by Vishwakarma on the order of Lord Krishna. Land was reclaimed from the sea near the western shores of Saurashtra. A city was planned and built here. Dwarka was a planned city, on the banks of Gomati River. This city was also known as Dvaramati, Dvaravati and Kushsthali. It had six well-organized sectors, residential and commercial zones, wide roads, plazas, palaces and many public utilities. A hall called "Sudharma Sabha" was built to hold public meetings. The city also boasted having the possession of a good sea harbour. The city had 700,000 palaces made of gold, silver and other precious stones. Each one of Lord Krishna's wive had her own palace. Besides this, the city had beautiful gardens filled with flowers of all seasons and beautiful lakes.

Submersion into the Sea

After Krishna left the earth for Vaikuntha,about 36 years after the Mahabharat War (3138 BC), and the major Yadava leaders were killed in disputes among themselves, Arjuna went to Dwarka to bring Krishna's grandsons and the Yadava wives to Hastinapur, to safety. After Arjuna left Dwarka, it was submerged into the sea. Following is the account given by Arjuna, found in the Mahabharata:

...imposed on it by nature. The sea rushed into the city. It coursed through the streets of the beautiful city. The sea covered up everything in the city. I saw the beautiful buildings becoming submerged one by one. In a matter of a few moments it was all over. The sea had now become as placid as a lake. There was no trace of the city. Dwaraka was just a name; just a memory.

The Vishnu Purana also mentions the submersion of Dwarka, stating

On the same day that Krishna departed from the earth the powerful dark-bodied Kali Age descended. The oceans rose and submerged the whole of Dwarka.

Lord Krishna's Beautiful Paintings

2012-07-25T01:24:00.001-07:00

Krishna Video songs..

2012-07-24T04:25:00.000-07:00

Sojare So- sleep O krishna sleep my child

Shri Krishna Maha Mantra - Peaceful mantra - Must listen

Manmohan kanha -Bhajan, (Don't miss it)

Kanha Kanhaiya Nandlala -by Anup Jalota (Beautiful Krishna Bhajan)

Krishna Aarthis.......

2012-07-23T01:23:00.001-07:00

A beautiful Krishna Aarthi which gives peace to our mind....

Here is another Aarthi....

Shri Krishna's Vishwaroopam......

Kasturi Tilakam - Slokam

kasturi tilakam lalaata palake,
vakshasthale kaustubham, nasaagre navamouktikam
karatale venum, kare kankanam
sarvaange harichandanam cha kalayam, kanthe cha muktaavali
gopastree pariveshtitho, vijayate gopaala choodamanee
vijayate gopaala choodamanee

Video:

Meaning of this slokam:

Oh Sri Krishna ! You have been decorated with Kasturi Tilakam, a beautiful Namam on the smooth forehead;
You have an ornament of Kausthubham on your Vakshasthalam, the seat of Sri Maha Lakshmi (on the chest);
On the nose, You have nava mouktikam, another ornament;
On your fingertips, You have a Flute; You also have a Bracelet on Your wrist;
Your entire body is bedecked with sandawood paste giving out fragrance;
Your neck too is surrounded by another ornament;
You are the giver of Mukti (salvation) to the lady-cowherds who went rounds and rounds around You;
Oh that Lord, Victory to You -The Ornament to the ornaments of cowherd (meaning, the commonest of the common man too has his wealth in Him) !

Hey Krishna

2012-07-19T02:11:00.000-07:00

Krishna is the supreme God on this earth....
Krishna is the God of love and peace...............

Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.In Sanskrit,the word Krishna means 'all-attractive'.Krishna is the most beautiful, powerful, famous, wealthy, wise and renounced. Since he possesses all these opulences at the same time and in full, He is defined as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Birth:
According to Bhagavata Purana, Krishna was born without a sexual union, but by divine "mental transmission" from the mind of Vasudeva into the womb of Devaki. Based on scriptural details and astrological calculations the date of Krishna's birth, known as Janmashtami, is 19 July 3228 BCE and departed on 3102 BCE. Krishna belonged to the Vrishni clan of Yadavas from Mathura, and was the eighth son born to the princess Devaki, and her husband Vasudeva.
Mathura (in present day Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh) was the capital of the Yadavas, to which Krishna's parents Vasudeva and Devaki belonged. King Kansa, Devaki's brother, had ascended the throne by imprisoning his father, King Ugrasena. Afraid of a prophecy that predicted his death at the hands of Devaki's eighth son, Kansa had the couple locked into a prison cell. After Kansa killed the first six children, and Devaki's apparent miscarriage of the seventh (which was actually a secret transfer of the infant to Rohini as Balarama), Krishna was born.

Vasudeva carries Lord Krishna and takes him to Mathura

Since Vasudeva knew Krishna's life was in danger, Krishna was secretly taken out of the prison cell to be raised by his foster parents, Yashoda and Nanda, in Gokula (in present day Mathura district). Two of his other siblings also survived, Balarama (Devaki's seventh child, transferred to the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva's first wife) and Subhadra (daughter of Vasudeva and Rohini, born much later than Balarama and Krishna).

Mother Yashodha with Shri Krishna

Krishna's Childhood:
Lord Krishna was brought up safely by his foster parents mother Yashodha and father Nand in Mathura.

The maternal uncle of Krishna,that is Kamsa was destined to die in Krishna's hand,so Kamsa decided to kill Krishna right from his birth. During his childhood, Krishna faced several perilous situations that were designed by the notorious Kansa, however no one could slay him for his unsurpassed divine power.
here were great rejoicings and celebration in Gokula after the Braj people came to know about the charming son of Nand and Yashoda. The astrologers predicted that this divine child would kill the demons and the evil, thus he should be called the Lord of the herds and the Gopis. King Kansa somehow came to know that his reason of death lived in Gokula and kept on sending demons to slay all the children of the place.

Lord Krishna drinking the milk of demon Putana

A rakhshasi named Putana took up the appearance of a beautiful lady with poison in her breasts, and went to Gokula aiming to kill Krishna. She entered Yashoda`s house and mingled with everyone very gracefully. She took up the baby Krishna in her lap and tried to give him her breast milk that had fatal poison. However, to her astonishment Lord Krishna hold her tight and sucked so hard as to take her life oput along with the poison. The poison had no effect on the Lord, while Putana rakhshasi flew away and fell dead on a far away hard ground with her original huge and distorted appearance. Lord Krishna gave her salvation by drinking her milk.

Soon, another event took place, when Lord Krishna was sitting under a cart playfully and sucking his toe. Another rakshasi saw him and went to sit on the cart with the aim to crush it and kill the baby Krishna. However, the Lord gave a hard blow on the cart and everything fell apart and killed the demoness. When Krishna was only five months old, a ferocious whirlwind came to sweep him away from his mother`s lap. Steadily, the storm became a cyclone, but could not even lift Lord Krishna. Lastly, he allowed the wind to take him up in the air, but came down unharmed after thrashing the demon down to death.
Lord Krishna ... a mischievous boy:
The childhood frolics of Lord Krishna is loved and adored by the Indians. He is worshipped by the childless in the desire to attain a charming and blessed child like Lord Krishna. The childhood photo of Lord Krishna is said to be a lucky one in every household.

Krishna and Balaram stealing butter...

Krishna and his elder brother Balaram were very mischievous.They would steal butter from the neighbourhood houses.Even though the butter was kept at a height on shelves,Krishna would somehow manage to steal the butter.Every time the Gopis complained about Krishna to his mother calling him butter thief, he made some plausible excuse and pacified his mother.

Just watch the below video to see how our beloved God Shri Krishna plays his pranks!!!!!!!

Krishna...along with the other cowherd boys:

Krishna spending time with other cowherd boys...

Krishna was always playing with his cowherd boy friends and girlfriends and all the residents of the village and all the animals. His pure devotees, upon hearing of these pastimes, aspire to go there and engage in loving devotional service to Krishna....

Krishna Lifts Govardhana Hill

Krishna lifts the Govardhana hill with one finger..

Video of Krishna lifting Govardhana hill:

Once, when Krishna was about seven years old, the men of the cowherd village were planning a sacrifice to honor the demigod Indra, who sends rain. Krishna is always the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whether acting as a little boy or not, and He did not really like this idea. Why should these fortunate people, who had Krishna Himself in their very midst, offer a sacrifice to a mere demigod, whose only power was to give material help?
Using persuasive powers far beyond those of an ordinary boy, Krishna talked His father and the other men into simply offering the sacrifice to Govardhana Hill, which is an expansion of Krishna, and which is blessed daily by His lotus feet as well when Krishna and His friends herd the cows there.
The men agreed to do this, but when Indra looked down and saw that the sacrifice meant for him had been diverted by this “talkative little boy,” he called for the clouds that bring the rains of devastation. These are not ordinary clouds, and are very dangerous. The clouds came and poured water and hail upon the helpless village of Vrindavan, and as the land disappeared under flooding waters, the villagers appealed desperately to Krishna for help.
Krishna protected them by lifting Govardhana Hill and holding it aloft like an umbrella, balanced on the little finger of His left hand, for seven days while the entire village and all the cows and calves remained sheltered beneath. For seven days no one felt any fatigue, hunger, or thirst.
Finally Indra understood his mistake. He called off the clouds, and after the floodwaters receded, he met Krishna in a secluded place to offer his apology and his obeisances.

Krishna's Flute:

Music is integral to faith; it works its powers over even inanimate things. Our major divinities are usually depicted with musical instruments, such as Lord Shiva with the damaru and Goddess Saraswati with the veena. With Lord Krishna, however, the flute is more than a mere musical instrument. Can anyone imagine Krishna without His bansuri?

In the Bhagwata Purana there is a whole chapter about Krishna playing His transcendental bansuri in Vrindavan. People of every age, animals and the trees and shrubs too would stand still to savour the divine vibration and it seemed they would melt and swoon listening to the melodious note of his flute. It was like casting a magical spell on whosoever it touched.

Divine Flute Played ( Lord Krishna )...Instrumental....Just Beautiful.......(Meditation)

When Krishna plays his sweet flute:

Krishna was a very good friend too:

should at least be able to feed the children enough."

On hearing this Sudama felt very hurt & said, "What can be done? We can't ask for favors from anybody."
Sudama's wife replied, "You talk of Krishna so often. You have been saying that you have a deep bond of friendship with him. He is the King of Dwarka, so why don't you go to him? There won't be any need to ask for anything there."
Sudama found wisdom in the words of his wife. He decided to go to Dwarka & said, "I'll definitely go to Krishna but what should I take along for his children?"
Sudama's wife borrowed some rice snacks from their neighbor. She bound the food in a piece of torn cloth & Sudama took the bundle & left for Dwarka.
On seeing Dwarka, Sudama was amazed. The entire town was built with gold & the people were very well-off. He asked for directions for Krishna's palace & finally reached there. On seeing Sudama who looked like a hermit, the palace guards asked, "Why have you come here?"
Sudama answered, "I want to meet Krishna who is my friend. Go & tell him that Sudama has come to meet you."

The guard smirked on seeing Sudama's attire. However, he hesitantly went & informed Krishna of Sudama's arrival. On hearing Sudama's name, Krishna immediately stood up & ran to meet him. Everyone looked on in wonder upon seeing such a great King running bare-footed to meet his poor friend.

Krishna took Sudama into the palace. They recalled their childhood days at the Sandipani's school. Seeing Krishna's wealth, Sudama felt ashamed of the rice snacks that he had brought & tried to hide the bundle but Krishna snatched it from him. While enjoying the snack Krishna said, "I have never tasted such sweetness in anything else."

Later, they sat to have their meal which was served in gold plates. Sudama felt sad as he remembered his hungry children at home. He stayed at the palace for two days but he couldn't prepare himself to ask Krishna for any favors. On the third day, he got ready to go back home. Krishna embraced Sudama & escorted him out as he bid him farewell.

On the way back, Sudama wondered, "What shall I say when my wife asks me what I've brought back?"

As Sudama approached home, he could not find his hut! Instead, his wife came out from a magnificent palace & dressed in elegant clothes. She told Sudama, "Look at Krishna's might; we have been rid of our poverty. Krishna has ended all our miseries." Sudama recollected Krishna's pure love & his eyes welled up with tears of joy.

Video of Krishna and Sudama story:

Moral: So friends, did you see how pure was the friendship of Krishna & Sudama? True love doesn't distinguish between high & low status or between riches & poverty. Therefore today, even after thousands of years, the friendship of Krishna & Sudama is remembered all over the world as a symbol of true love.

Krishna and the Gopis of Vrindavan:
Gopi is a word of Sanskrit origin meaning 'cow-herd girl'. In Hinduism specifically the name gopi (sometimes gopika) is used more commonly to refer to the group of cow herding girls.

The gopis of Vrindavan total one hundred and eight in number, they are generally divided into three groups: Gopi friends of the same age as Krishna; maidservants; and gopi messengers. The first group are the most exalted, Krishna's contemporary gopi friends, the second group are the maidservants and are the next most exalted, and the gopi messengers come after them. The primary eight gopis are considered the foremost of Krishna's devotees after Srimati Radharani. Their names are as follows :

Lalita (gopi) Sakhi
Vishakha Sakhi
Campakalata Sakhi
Citra Sakhi
Tungavidya Sakhi
Indulekha Sakhi
Rangadevi Sakhi
Sudevi Sakhi

Krishna and Balarama were very naughty children. Krishna loved playing the flute while Balarama tended the cows. The young milkmaids called gopis liked the sound of the flute and also went along with Krishna and Balarama when they went to graze the cows.

One day, the gopis went for a bath in the river nearby. Krishna and his friends decided to play a trick on them. They quietly followed the gopis too the river and hid behind the trees.
When the gopis shed their clothes and went into the river to bathe, Krishna and his friends emerged from the bushes and took their clothes and hid them. The gopis begged and pleaded for their clothes. After teasing them for some time, Krishna finally decided to give back their clothes.

Rukmini:

Krishna with Rukmini....

In Hinduism, Rukmini also pronounced as "Rukhmani" is the principal wife and queen of Krishna at his city of Dwarka. Krishna heroically eloped with her to prevent an un-wanted marriage at her request (described in the Bhagavata Purana). Of Krishna's 16,108 queens, Rukmini is the first and most prominent. Rukmini is also considered to be an Avatar of Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune.
Satyabhama:

Krishna with his two wives Rukmini and Satyabhama

Satyabhama is the third wife of Lord Krishna, known for her strong will and tantrums. She is believed to be a partial avatar of Bhudevi.
Radha:

Krishna went to his mother, Yashoda, and turned on the full force of his charm. "Mother," he said, "I want you to send a message to Radha's family, asking for her hand in marriage." Yashoda thought this was another of Krishna's pranks. But when Krishna persisted she replied firmly and clearly.
She said, " You cannot marry Radha for several reasons. She is engaged to Aiyyan. You are the son of a chief and her family is much lower in status. She is older than you. And she is a brazen girl, totally unfit to be a wife."

Krishna then used his final weapon. He threatened that his mother would not only lose a lovely daughter-in-law if she refused, but also her son. Yashoda then asked him to settle the matter with his father. So Krishna went to Nand and repeated his request. His father said with a wink, "I have noticed that you are spending more and more time with the girls lately. No wonder you want one for yourself. There are many chieftains who would willingly wed their daughters to you." Krishna interrupted and said that he wanted to marry Radha and not a chieftain's daughter. The arguments were repeated. Finally Nand said he was no match for Krishna in a debate. Their family priest, Sage Garg, was arriving the next day and Nand would refer the matter to him.

Krishna told Sage Garg that since he and Radha desired each other, they should get married. Garg replied that desire as a reason for mating is the way of animals. The matching of temperaments, family backgrounds and future plans should be considered while selecting a spouse. Krishna stated that even as per these considerations he could not find any fault with his choice. Radha's temperament was perfectly matched to his, their family backgrounds were similar and both of them would be spending the rest of their lives in Vrindavan doing what the men and women of Vrindavan had always been doing.
Sage Garg then said, "I think it is time to tell you the truth about your birth. You are the eighth son of Prince Vasudev and Devaki. It was prophesied that you would kill your maternal uncle Kansa and deliver the Yadava race from his tyranny. Hence you were secretly brought to Gokul and were brought up as the son of Nand and Yashoda. The great sage Vyasa has foretold that you will be the leader of the Yadava race and the saviour of all humanity. Hence I have brought Sage Sandipani with me, who is to begin your education in the scriptures, procedures of governance and the art of warfare. We all have great expectations of you. Radha is a village girl. She will not be a suitable companion in this endeavour. That is why we are against this marriage."
Krishna quietly digested what had been said and then replied softly but firmly. "First of all I would like to aver that Nand and Yashoda are my parents and I will always look upon them as such. Then I would request you to keep the story of my birth a secret from the people of Vrindavan till it is time for me to leave. If they learn the truth then their attitude towards me will change and this I will not be able to bear. You say that I am to deliver all humanity from suffering. I cannot begin this formidable task by thrusting the person who loves me the most into unbearable suffering.

From the moment Radha saw me tied to the mortar eight years ago, there has not been a single day that she has not waited for me. With every breath that she has drawn she has taken my name. For her spring comes when I come to meet her and winter begins when I leave her. If I had died fighting Kaliya, the poisonous snake, many in Vrindavan would have been heart broken. Mother would have never stopped crying and father would have lost his smile forever. But Radha would have given up her life there and then. Radha lives for me and in me and I live for her and in her. If you prevent this marriage, you will be depriving me of the right and power to carry out the great tasks you want me to. I beseech you with folded hands to grant your consent."
Sage Garg was overcome by the rationality and intensity of this speech. He gave his consent. Radha's joy knew no bound. And in the celebrations that followed Aiyyan was forgotten.

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Part 2
The news that Krishna was leaving spread like wildfire throughout Vrindavan. The youth sensed that they were losing a staunch friend; the maidens sensed that they were losing a man of their dreams and Radha....
Before Radha could even begin to ponder upon the consequences, the melodious sound of a flute wafted throughout the village. The women left what they were doing and ran to the Madhuban. There was no time to wear their ornaments or comb their hair. While running they tried to arrange their clothes to give an appearance of modesty but soon gave up. Radha picked up her anklets and raced ahead of everyone else, her bosom heaving with excitement. Her Kahn was calling her. Krishna was standing in his usual spot, his right leg crossed over his left, and playing his flute with gay abandon. Radha cuddled up to him and began to sway in the rhythm of his music. The other maidens formed circles around them and began to dance. The men folk, the elders and children too had come there, but were watching from a distance, so as not to embarrass the dancers.
Every maiden wanted Krishna to dance only with her, every maiden imagined that Krishna was dancing only with her and the spectators could see a multitude of Krishnas, each dancing separately with one of the lasses. Such is the power of love; such is the power of faith. This was the Maharasa or the "great dance". When the dancing stopped Krishna and Radha were missing.

Radha and Krishna were heading for their favourite nook in the Madhuban, near the Yamuna river. Radha was in Krishna's arms, her tousled head resting on his shoulder.
"Will you always be like this, Kahn?" asked Radha.
"Always," he replied, "Till the sun and the moon endure."

But Radha was not satisfied by this assurance. "Will you always remember me?" she asked.
"How can I forget you," replied Krishna, "You are my Goddess of beauty and joy."
They reached their destination and huddled close together on the mossy grass. They kissed tentatively at first, but the pent-up passions soon engulfed them and they united in body and soul. After a while Radha got up and began to tie her disheveled tresses into a knot. "Will we always be together after we are married," she inquired uncertainly. Krishna replied that they were inseparable and that they had just got married according to the Gandharva tradition. According to the this tradition, sexual intercourse among consenting couples was tantamount to the marriage rituals provided the male was of royal descent.
"You will always be my prince," said Radha, "but you are not of royal blood. And I do not regret our love making so you do not have to justify it." Then Krishna narrated the story of his birth, of his being the redeemer and his leaving for Mathura before dawn. Radha let the whole narration sink in and appeared to be forming some decisions of her own. "Is there anything that can make you stay?" she asked.
"Nothing can hold me from my destiny and my duty." Replied Krishna firmly. "Why do you worry? Are you afraid that I will die at Kansa's hands? It will be over soon and then I will call you to Mathura"
"No, I am sure that you will kill Kansa. And then you will become the king of the Yadavas. A lot of people will look up to you, will bow down before you, and will depend on you. You will become the saviour of humanity," said Radha.

"And you will be my queen, by my side always," added Krishna.
"No," replied Radha surely. "I am a poor cowherd girl. I will be lost in the palace intrigues. There will be many princesses wooing you and wanting you at any cost. I will be awkward and gawky compared to them. This village girl will be a handicap to you in your new avatar. For you will undeniably change. Your life will be filled with politics and manipulations. You will fight wars and participate in destruction. That will be a part of your destiny and I don't pass judgment. But the Kahn I loved was a cowherd boy, whose calling in life was to graze cattle, who played the flute and danced in the woods and whose crown was a peacock feather and weapon was a bamboo staff. I will not be able to see you in any other form." Radha was now sobbing convulsively and Krishna has to take her in his arms to calm her down.
After regaining her composure Radha continued. "Please listen to me Kahn! Let me stay here and take care of your parents. Here in Vrindavan I will see you in the waters of the Yamuna, the slopes of Govardhan and the trees of Madhuban and hence I will always be with the Kahn I knew."
They sat silently for a while reflecting on the past, savouring the last moments of togetherness and coming to terms with the future. Krishna broke the silence. "You are right Radha. In Mathura I will have to change and if you come with me then you will have to change as well. I will not be the Krishna you knew and you will not be the Radha I knew. We will not be able to replicate the magic we weaved here. And without either of us here, Vrindavan too will wither away. But if you stay back, then Vrindavan will become an enduring shrine to our love and you will be its deity." Krishna then told Radha that preparations had been made for them to get married in the Vedic manner and since the auspicious moment was drawing near they should return. Radha requested that Krishna leave his flute behind as a gift to her and Krishna readily agreed.

It was time for the final parting. The villagers had turned out to personally meet Krishna. Radha stood beside her mother in law, dressed in bridal finery, her face covered modestly by her sari. From time to time she looked up at Krishna, each glance a pledge of eternal devotion. Krishna's eyes met Radha's each time and he smiled at her reassuringly. Any other communication in front of the elders would be out of place. So no words were said and no hands touched. Krishna touched his mother's feet and mounted the bullock cart with Nand, Balaram and Akrura. Radha looked without blinking at the cart till it disappeared round the corner and then fainted. Krishna never set foot in Vrindavan again.

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Part 3
Krishna never set foot in Vrindavan again. But legend has it that he did come face to face with Radha once, later … much later. After he had killed Kansa and become the leader of the Yadavas. After he had shifted his capital from Mathura to Dwarka. After he had married Rukmini and Satyabhama and the others.

It was at the occasion of a total solar eclipse. A massive congregation had gathered at the field of Kurukshetra to bathe in the holy tank of Syamantapanchaka after the eclipse. (It was said that a dip in this tank after eclipses purified the soul. It was here that the great sage Parshurama had come to atone for killing the evil kings and warriors. He established that all killing is sinful, even when the persons killed are evil and deserve to die, even killing in war. Hence all killings have to be atoned for.) All the major kingdoms were represented. Krishna was leading the Yadavas. Dhritarashtra of Hastinapur was there with his sons the Kauravas and nephews the Pandavas. So were many other kings. Little did they know that soon they would be engaged in a do or die battle on this very field some years later. Many common folk had come as well. Among them was the cowherd community of Vrindavan.

When Krishna's parents, Vasudev and Devaki learnt of this they wanted to meet Nand and Yashoda. They had never met Krishna's foster parents and wanted to thank them for taking care of their son in his formative years. The meeting was a very emotional one. Balaram met his old cronies and reminisced about old times.

But when Krishna came face to face with Radha no words were said. No hands stretched to meet each other, no smile played upon lips and no eyes sparkled with delight. Only a million thoughts flashed through each mind and a deluge of tears flowed from each pair of eyes. Radha had promised not to get involved with Krishna's later life and she intended to keep that promise. Krishna did not want to say or do something that would make things difficult for Radha. They stood staring stonily at each other till all the thoughts were exhausted and the eyes were dry. Though Krishna and Radha had been physically separated, they had been inseparable spiritually and would continue to be so till the end of the world. Radha had seen the splendour in which Krishna's wives lived and the joy he lavished on them. But she knew that his tears were for her alone and that each drop was more valuable than all the riches of the world. Krishna knew that Vrindavan would be enshrined forever because of Radha's sacrifice. Both were assured that they had taken the correct decision many years ago. Without saying anything they said everything and went their separate ways. They never saw each other again.

Video showing song of a devotee Panduranga Jaya Krishna Mukunda Murari.....................

Krishna Aarthi's:(videos)