Friday, 8 November 2013

DASAVATHARAM OF LORD VISHNU



1 Matsya Avatar

2 Koorma Avatar

3 Varaha Avatar

4 Narasimha Avatar

5 Vamana Avatar

6 Parasurama Avatar

7 Rama Avatar

8 Balarama Avatar

9 Krishna Avatar

10 Kalki Avata

MATSYA AVATAR


First incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Once there was a demon named Somukasuran, who has the face of a horse. He stolen all the Vedas and Sasthras created by Lord Brahma, and he went in to sea. 

Lord Brahma prayed Lord Vishnu to save all Vedas, at once Lord Vishnu changed his form in to Fish, killed Somukasuran and returned all Vedas to Brahma.

 This incident was called as Matsya Avathar of Lord Vishnu and that's why Idol of Lord Vishnu in Matsya Avathar has half- fish shaped and half- God shaped.

KOORMA AVATAR



Second incarnation of Lord Vishnu. As per legend Lord Vishnu took this Avathar to hold the mountain called Mandara, when Devas and Asuras churn the ocean to get Amirtham.

 Once there was a war between Devas (gods) and the demons (Asuras), in that war Devas lost and the prayed to Lord Vishnu to save them from Demons. Lord Vishnu suggested for a truce, that was both sides should get together and churn the ocean. That truce was agreed by both sides.

 The great mountain Mandara was used as a rod and Snake Vasuki was used as a rope to churn the ocean. All Devas holding the tail of Vasuki and Asuras holding head of the snake.

 Both teams started churning but the mountain Mandara had no base so Lord Vishnu changed his form in to Tortoise and gave balanced to the mountain.

VARAHA AVATHAR


Varaha Avathar is the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Varaham means Pig or boar. As per Legend Lord Vishnu took this avathar to protect the earth, which was hidden by Hiranyaksha in to the ocean. 

Once there was a demon called Hiranyaksha, he prayed Lord Brahma and got the boon that he would be Invincible in battle. Then Hiranyaksh went to heaven and defeated all gods and occupied heaven.

He also fight with Varuna to conquer ocean, thus he undertook the whole earth in this control and finally he took the earth and hidden it under the ocean.


 Lord Vishnu took the form of Varaha and went into ocean. He destroyed the Asuran Hiranyaksha and save the earth
From him.

 Thus Lord Vishnu save all gods and heaven and the entire earth and keep that in his nose. This incident is known as Varaha Avatar. That's why the idol of Lord Vishnu in Dasavatharam has the face of Varaham.

NARASIMHA AVATAR



Lord Vishnu took this avathar to save Prahlathan from his father Hiranyakasibu.

 Once There was a saint Durwasav wish to worship Lord Vishnu, so he went to heaven. He was stopped by Jayan and Vijayan, who were the guards of Lord Vishnu, so the saint got angry and he curse them that both of you should leave from heaven and born as a violent human beings. They went to Lord Vishnu and asked remedy for that.

 Lord Vishnu said "I am not able to took back the curse of the Sage" but I can give new boon that is “ you both can come back to me after 3 births as a enemy of me or you can come back to me after 30 births as my devotees.” They said " We wish to come back to you in 3 years".

 As per boon both of them was born as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasibu. Hiranyakshya was destroyed by Lord Vishnu in Varaha Avathar.

Hiranyakasibu went to forest to do penance to get more power and life. Hiranyakashipu wanted to be the undisputed ruler of the three worlds - the heaven, the earth and the underworld. He performed severe penance to seek blessing of Brahma for immortality.

 After a long penance God appeared in front of him, suddenly he asked him for immortality. But God refused to give this and he asked he should not die either by human or animal.

Brahma, however, declined, saying "All living beings must face death Hiranyakashipu. You can, however, choose your death wish." Hiranyakashipu then asked for three conditions, as his death wish, "He be killed by someone who is neither human nor a beast, in a time which is neither during the day nor during the night, and in a place which is neither inside nor outside."

 God also granted that boon and disappeared. In the meantime Hiyranyakasibu's wife was pregnant, she was kidnapped by Goddess Indra, to control Hiyranyakasibu. But the sage Naradha adviced Indra to release Hiranyakasibu's wife, so she released her.

 Naradha took that lady to his abode and told some moral stories of Vishnu to her. She was not interested to listening them, but his child in womb heard all stories and by birth he became devotee of Lord Vishnu, he was Prahlada.

 Prahlada when later growing as a
child began to show symptoms of this earlier training by Narada, gradually becoming recognised as a devoted follower of Vishnu, much to his father's disappointment Hiranyakasibu hate is activity of his son and he ordered him leave Lord Vishnu.

 He asked him to show Lord Vishnu, Prahlada said God will be everywhere and anywhere. Hiranyakashibu asked him by pointing to a pillar "is god in this pillar"?, he said "Yes". At once Hiranyakasibu broke the pillar into pieces.

. Hiranyakashipu could not be killed by human, deva or animal, Narasimha is neither one of these, as he is a form of Vishnu incarnate as a part-human, part-animal. He comes upon Hiranyakashipu at twilight (when it is neither day nor night) on the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor out), and puts the demon on his lap (neither earth nor space). Using his nails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapons, he disembowels and kills the demon.



 Lord Vishnu appeared from that piece in the form of Narasimha and killed Hiranyakashibu and save Prahlada.

VAMANA AVATAR



Hiranyakasipu had four children. They were Prahladha, Samhradha, Hradha and Anuhradha. Prahladha had a son, Veerochana. Mahabali was the son of Veerochana.

Mahabali practised the political tactics and wisdom learned from his grandfather, Prahlaadha. With his valor, administration of justice and strength of character, Mahabali became Chakravarty (the King of Kings), within a short time.

people at large were happy under the rule of Mahabali, the Asura Chakravarty, who was unfriendly to Brahmins & Devas denied them the comfort and superiority status they enjoyed earlier.

Vamana means Dwarf. Lord Vishnu took this avatar to reduce arrogance of Mahabali, he is grandson of Pragalada. Once Mahabali ruled Pathala-Loka, but he tried to capture other lokas under his ruling. 

So he did a big Yagam, at the end of the yagam, he offered anything to people, whoever went to the palace of him. Lord Vishnu took a form of Dwarf and went to the palace of Mahabali. 

He asked the king for 3 Foot of land for him. The king was really surprised and he said ok. At once Lord Vishnu started measuring his one feet on Pathala-loka and his first step covered all the world below the earth and second step covered all the world above the earth, and there was no place for third step. God asked Mahabali for third foot to measure

The ardent devotee of MahaVishnu, bowed his head in surrender and offered his head to measure the last and the third feet of land. Placing His raised foot on Mahabali’s lowered head, Vaamana pushed him down to Paathaalam (hell).

Lord Vishnu asked the king to wish for a grant and then, the king wished the grant to visit his people once in a year. And from that time onwards, Onam and Mahabali have been associated with each other.

PARASURAMA AVATAR


The avatar of Parasurama was to deliver the world from the oppression of the Kshatriya rulers, who strayed from the path of dharma. Parasurama, also known as the "axe-wielding Rama. 

He was born into a Brahmin or priestly family but had the immense physical power and killer instinct than a Kshatriya or the warrior class.
  Parasuramar was the fourth son of Jamadhagni and Renuka. Once there was a sage named Jamadhagi, who tough Vedas and Sastras to children. Parasurama was one of the student of his father, he was so obedient to his father and learnt Vedas from him.

 One day while Vasugi was making the pot, there was a "Gandharva" passed over the sky. She was the reflection of the gandharva in the river water and she forgot herself for a moment. 

By the disturbance of the image, she could not able to do pot on the whole day. She worried and afraid to go home. The sage Jamadhagni know all the facts, because he sensed all these incidents by his mental power.

 So he wanting to punish his wife and ordered Parasurama to do that. Parasurama was very angry with his father, but as a obedient son he was not able to refuse to do that, and he immediately done his father's order.

Father is regarded as the Guru and God for him. Legend has it that Parasurama, at his father's command, chopped off his mother's head, a heinous task that his brothers refused. Pleased with his obedience, when his father asked him to choose a boon, Parasurama without wished her mother back to life!

Once Parshurama went to see Lord Shiva on Kailasha . Lord Ganesha came into his way, who was ordered by his mother Parvati to prevent anybody to come and disturb them. Parshurama threatned ganesha and ask him to fight with him if he want to stop him from meeting Shiva. In this fight Parshurama cutt off Ganesha left Tusk. 

when Goddess Parvati saw this she lost her temper. godess took the form of Adhhi Shakti in anger that even shiva was unable to please him. She told that Parshurama is not satisfied with the blood of Kastriya’s that he wants to harm my son. 

Ganesha asked his Mother to forgive Parshurama and he some how succeded in pleasing his mother. Parshurama was so pleased with Ganesha that he gave him his parshu and blessed him.

An unrighteous king once stole his father's magic cow 'Kamadhenu' - a symbol of abundance, an animal that fulfills all desires. In order to avenge the theft, Parasurama killed the king.

 When he came home, his father was not at all pleased with his conduct. He severely reprimanded Parasurama for forgetting his own dharma, that of forbearance and forgiveness and commanded him to undertake a countrywide pilgrimage to expiate the sin.


RAMA AVATAR



Rama Avatar is also known as Dharma Avatar.
As per legend King Dasarathan ruled Ayodhya and he made his people happy by his ruling. But the king had no children, so he performed Asuvameda yaga to get child.

 As the result Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Strugun were born to his three wifes. Rama is avatar of Lord Vishnu. Rama married Sitha Devi, who was daughter of king Janakan. By the ruse of kaikeyi Rama went to forest along with Sitha for 14 years. This is called Vanavasam. Rama setup a ashram in the forest and settled with his wife and brother Lakshmanan.

 One day Rama went out from the ashram and he asked Lakshmanan to take care Sitha. 
Meantime, Ravanan, an Asuran saw sitha Devi and he impressed by her beauty. So he changed his form as a saint and kidnapped her to Lanka.

 He carried her in a chariot on the sky, Jatayu the eagle who noticed this incident and helped Rama to save Sitha. Sugriva is king of monkeys also helped Rama to defeat demon king Ravana.

BALARAMA AVATAR


Balram Avathar is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This avatar took place between Ram avatar and Krishna avatar as elder brother of Sri Krishna.  He is regarded as incarnation of Seshanag. Balarama was the son of Vasudeva and Rohini. There is believe that, Lord Vishnu takes Lakshmana as his elder brother, who is the younger brother of Lord Vishnu in his Rama Avathar.

He was conceived as seventh child in the womb of Devaki.  Devaki had a divine feeling right from the time of conception of this child.  Under orders from the Lord, to save this child from the clutches of Kamsa, Yogamaya transferred this foetus to the womb of Rohini (the other wife of Vasudeva).

His mission was service to Sri Krishna and assisting him in the creation of material things as also maintenance of spiritual world. It is believed that it was Lakshmana and Sri Rama who reincarnated as Balaram and Sri Krishna. He is a protector from material desires and symbolises honesty and simplicity because he was incarnation of Ananthaseshan.

  It is believed that if one wants to progress spiritually and to attain Lord’s lotus feet faster, one should worship him first.
He had divine strength and was honest and simple.  His weapon was Haldar (plough) and was therefore called Haladar. He is considered God of farmers. If Krishna is the creator, Balaram is considered as creative energy.

KRISHNA AVATAR



Once there was a king called Kamsan , ruled cruel . His sister Devaki who married Vasudeva. One day Yogamaya appeared in front of Kamsa and said, The eighth child of Devaki, who is going to born in "Rohini" Star will kill him.

 So Kamsa was confused and he planned to kill Devaki's child when ever devaki gave birth. By this action of Devaki's brother , she was so unhappy and she prayed Lord Vishnu.


 Lord Vishnu appeared in front of them and said " I will be born as your eighth child and kill Kamsa". As per his words Lord Vishnu born as Sri Krishna and killed Kamsan.

KALKI AVATAR



Kalki Avatar is the tenth and last incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu took this avatar to save us from all of our sins and protect this Kaliugam.


Paritranaya saadunaam vinashayasa dushkrudham dharma samsthaba
narthaya sambavami yuge yuge


Meaning of this words is " Whenever evil took it head over and abolish good things, and destroy the world, I will come and defeat the evil and save the world" .

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

LORD SHIVA

LORD SHIVA




Harihar Dham Hazaribagh Jharkhand


Naga Lingam Lepakshi Temple Hindupur 









Mrikandu was a great rishi. Marudvati was his wife. For a long time they had no children.

The rishi prayed to lord Siva. Lord Siva appeared to him, and said, "I am pleased with you, Mrikandu. Tell me, do you want a hundred sons, who will live for a long time, but will all be foolish?

Or, do you want one very intelligent son, who will live for only sixteen years?"

The rishi at once said, "Lord, give me that one intelligent son."
Lord Siva said, "Good! You shall have him."


Soon the rishi got a son. He named him Markandeya. The boy grew to be very intelligent and handsome. The rishi invested him with the sacred thread. Markandeya learnt the Vedas and Sastras, easily. Everyone liked him.

As the boy was getting on to be sixteen, Rishi Mrikandu became sadder and sadder. One day Markandeya asked his father: "Father, why do you look so sad?"

The rishi said, "Son! What shall I say? When Lord Siva gave you to me, he said you would live only sixteen years. You are now about to reach that age. How can Iand your mother bear to lose you as we will at the end of this year?"

Markandeya said, "Father! Is that the reason? Lord Siva is very kind to His devo- tees. You yourself told me that. He has saved many from death before. I have read about it in the Puranas. I shall therefore worship Lord Siva day and night from today. I am sure, He will save -me too! "

RishiMrikandu was very happy to hear his son say this. He blessed his son.
Markandeya built a Siva-Linga at a spot on the sea-shore. He started worshipping Lord Siva morning, noon and night. He sang bhajans, and often danced in joy.

On the last day, Markandeya was about to sing bhajans, when Yama, the Lord of Death, came to him. Yama rode on a buffalo. He held a noose in his hand. He spoke to Markandeya, "Stop your bhajan! You boy! Your life in this world is over. Be ready to die."

Markandeya was not afraid. He clung to the Siva-Linga as one clings to one's mother.

Yama threw his noose round the boy's neck, and pulled him along with the Siva- Linga.

Then the Siva-Linga burst open and Lord Siva came out of it, Lord kicked Yama in the chest, and said, "Yama, begone! Don't touch this boy. He is my beloved devotee. He will live forever!"

Yama went away crest-fallen. Markandeya then prayed to Lord Siva more fervently than ever. This prayer says at the end of each line, "What can Death do to me?" Many people recite this prayer even now.


Markandeya came home, and fell at the feet of his parents. They embraced him, and wept with joy. Markandeya became a great rishi, and lived very long.

GURUVAYUR TEMPLE

GURUVAYUR TEMPLE :ഗുരുവായൂർ അമ്പലം

BHOOLOKAVAIKUNDA THE HEAVEN ON EARTH





Beautiful devotional song










OM NAMO NARAYANAYA 



The Temple has a history dating back to the time of Shri Krishna. It is said that Lord Krishna when his kingdom was being submerged in the great flood or 'pralaya' asked Brihaspathi, the Guru of Devas and Vayu, the Wind-God to install the idol of Lord Vishnu that he was worshipping in a place.

 They (Guru and Vayu) came down to a place down south and installed it. This is why the place got its name Guruvayoor, where 'oor' means place. It is also said that Lord Shiva and His Wife Parvathy were present in this auspicious moment and because there was a lack of space in the tmple premises, He moved a little further away, and gives his blessings from Mammiyoor Temple, which is a ten minute walk from the Guruvayoor Temple.

 Every devotee who goes to Guruvayoor is supposed to go to Mammiyoor also, as the ritual goes. It is made of Pathalanjana Shila ( a variation of black granite that is harder than metal) and is considered extremely sacred..

 Melputhur Narayana Bhattathiripad has written Narayaneeyam and submitted before Guruvayoorappan to get out of his seveare chronic rheumatic disease.




































MELPATHUR

The Jnanapana (means the song of wisdom) written in simple Malayalam is Poonthanam's greatest work. Melpathur was the most popular Sanskrit scholar of that time. Poonthanam showed the draft of his Jnanapana to Melpathur. Malayalam was not accepted in the learned circle those days and Melpathur had contempt for Malayalam, which was not considered equal to Sanskrit. He refused to see Poonthanam's work and told him blatantly to learn Sanskrit and then start writing. This act of Melpathur hurt Poonthanam. Melpathur was composing Narayaneeyam in those days and when he came next day to offer dasaka of ten slokas (ten stanzas) before the Lord, he could not utter a single word. A small boy in his teens, never seen before presented himself and pointed out mistakes after mistakes in the slokas composed by Melpathur. After ten mistakes in ten slokas Melpathur realised the divinity of the boy. He fell at the feet of the boy but the boy disappeared and there was an asareeri (celestial voice) saying, "Poonthanam's Bhakthi (devotion) is more pleasing to me than Melpathur's Vibhakthi (learning or knowledge in Sanskrit grammar)". Melpathur realised his mistake and asked Poonthanam to pardon him and amended his arrogance by reading the works of Poonthanam.


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