Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Who is G O D? Or Hindi- Bhagwan Ot Iswar in Sanskrit

The Vishnu Purana defines Bhagavān as follows,
उत्पत्तिं प्रलयं चैव भूतानामागतिं गतिम् |
वेत्तिं विद्यामविद्यां च स वाच्यो भगवानिति || He who understands the creation and dissolution, the appearance and disappearance of beings, the wisdom and ignorance, should be called Bhagavān.
— Vishnu Purana, VI.5.78 [13]

BHAGWAAN SHABD PAANCH AKSHARO SE MILKAR BANA HAI. PEHLE KA ARTH HINDI ME BHOOMI(EARTH) DOOSRE KA ATH GAGAN(SPACE) TEESRE KA ARTH VAAYU(AIR) CHAUTHE KA ARTH AGNI (FIRE)AUR PAANCHVE KA ARTH NEER(WATER) HAI. AAP SABHI YE TO JAANTE HE HONGE KI HAMARA SHRIR BHI INHI MOOLBHOOT TATVO SE HE NIRMIT HAI,TO BHAGWAAN KO BAHAR KYON KHOJTE PHIRTE HAI WO TO YAHI HAI HAMARE BHEETAR BUS UNHE DEKHNE WALI AANKHEN(BHAKTI) CHAHIYE.                          
                BHAGWAAN KI PRAKRITI CHAR AUR ACHAR DONO HAI .AGAR CHAR ROOP ME DEKHNA HAI TO SABHI DIKHAI DENE WALE JEEV UNKI CHAR PRAKRITI KA PRAMAN HAI AUR AGAR ACHAR PRAKRITI KI BAAT KARE TO JIS PRAKAAR DO WOOD KE TUKDO KO AAPAS ME RAGADNE SE JO AGNI PAIDA HOTI HAI WO PEHLE TO NAHI DIKHTI LAKIN WO HOTI WAHI HAI YAHI BHAGWAAN KI ACHAR PRAKRITI HAI.

Inscriptions

Heliodorus Khamba (pillar) in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Installed about 100 BCE, the pillar's Brahmi-script inscription states that Heliodorus is a Bhagvatena (devotee) of Vishnu.[39]

Greek

A word derived from Bhagavan is documented epigraphically from around 100 BCE, such as in the inscriptions of the Heliodorus pillar; in which Heliodorus, an Indo-Greek ambassador from Taxila to the court of a Shunga king, addresses himself as a Bhagavata ("Heliodorena bhagavatena", Archaeological Survey of India, Annual Report (1908-1909)):[40]
This Garuda-standard of Vasudeva (Vishnu), the God of Gods was erected here by the Bhagavatena (devotee) Heliodoros, the son of Dion, a man of Taxila, sent by the Great Greek (Yona) King Antialcidas, as ambassador to King Kasiputra Bhagabhadra, the Savior son of the princess from Benares, in the fourteenth year of his reign."[b]
Yoga Chants
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
(low-kaah’-ha suh-muh-staah’-ha soo-khee-no’ bhuh’-vun-too)
May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way, to that happiness and to that freedom for all. 


Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya |
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya |
  Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih

ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय । तमसो मा  ज्योतिर्गमय । मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Meaning:
1: Om, Lead us from Unreality (of Transitory Existence) to the Reality (of Self),
2: Lead us from the Darkness (of Ignorance) to the Light (of Spiritual Knowledge),
3: Lead us from the Fear of Death to the Knowledge of Immortality.
4: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
Jai Bhagwan
A Hindi version of the ancient  Sanskrit greeting "Namaste"
which is still in everyday use in India  and Nepal Himalaya. Translated roughly,
it means "I bow to the God  within you", or "The Spirit within me salutes the
Spirit in  you" - a knowing that we are all made from the same One Divine Consciousness.

 Jai Bhagwan is used  interchangeable with Namaste is some yoga classes.

 jai bhagwan

The literal translation of Jai,  from hindi to engish is victory or victorious, and "Bhagavan, also  written Bhagwan or Bhagawan, from the Sanskrit stem bhaga-vant, literally  means "possessing fortune, blessed, prosperous" (from the noun  bhaga, meaning "fortune, wealth","god"), and hence  "illustrious, divine, venerable, holy.
It is a greeting that basically  means may the bhagavan - divine prosperous, etc - in you be victorious.

Om Sarvesham Swastirvavatu

A sanskrit mantra from Upanishad

सर्वेशां स्वस्तिर्भवतु
सर्वेशां शान्तिर्भवतु
सर्वेशां पुर्णंभवतु
सर्वेशां मङ्गलंभवतु


शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः


Om Sarveshaam Svastir-Bhavatu |
Sarveshaam Shaantir-Bhavatu |
Sarveshaam Purnnam-Bhavatu |
Sarveshaam Manggalam-Bhavatu |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||


Om - May auspiciousness be unto all.

May peace be unto all.

May fullness be unto all.

May prosperity be unto all.

 

 

Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra:

(a.k.a. Moksha Mantra)

  Om Tryambakam Yajaamahe

Sughandhim Pushti-vardanam,

Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaan,

Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritaat.



Om - We worship the three-eyed One, Lord Siva,

who like a sweet fragrance permeates and nourishes all beings.  

May He liberate us from death and grant us immortality,

just as the ripe cucumber is easily freed from the binding vine
 
 
पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पुर्णमुदच्यते
पूर्णश्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते
शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः

 

Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam

Puurnnaat-Purnnam-Udacyate
Puurnnashya Puurnnam-Aadaaya


Puurnnam-Eva-Avashissyate ||
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||


 

Om, That is complete (full, perfect, whole),

This is complete (full, perfect, whole),

From the completeness comes the completeness

If completeness is taken away from completeness, Only completeness remains

Om, Peace, peace, peace

Monday, December 21, 2015

Shocking scientific inventions by ancient saints!

Shocking scientific inventions by ancient saints!
    Indian Scriptures have answers that 
modern science needs? 
 During the growth of the 
ancient civilizations, ancient 
te...
  1. 1. Shocking Scientific Inventions by Ancient Saints! Our Rich Heritage !!!
  2. 2. Indian Scriptures have answers that modern science needs?  During the growth of the ancient civilizations, ancient technology was the result of incredible advances in engineering in ancient times.  These advances in the history of technology stimulated societies to adopt new ways of living and governance.  However, many ancient inventions were forgotten, lost to the pages of history, only to be re-invented millennia later.  Here are the best examples of ancient technology and inventions that demonstrate the ingenuity of our ancient ancestors.  So, get ready to be awed...
  3. 3. Saints or scientists?  The land of India is known to be the land of saints and Gods. It is filled with various types of unexplainable things.  In ancient times, various saints after doing years of hard meditation, their work and with their patience found the secrets hidden in the Vedas 1,000 years ago.  These inventions later came to be known as modern science.  Some of the saints came out with such amazing inventions that shocked the kings of those times as well.  Click on to know…
  4. 4. The Indian Sage who developed Atomic Theory 2,600 years ago  John Dalton (1766 – 1844), an English chemist and physicist, is the man credited today with the development of atomic theory.  However, a theory of atoms was actually formulated 2,500 years before Dalton by an Indian sage and philosopher, known as Acharya Kanad.  Acharya Kanad was born in 600 BC in Prabhas Kshetra (near Dwaraka) in Gujarat, India. His real name was Kashyap. It was Kanada who originated the idea that anu (atom) was an indestructible particle of matter.
  5. 5. The Indian Sage who developed Atomic Theory 2,600 years ago II  An interesting story states that this theory occurred to him while he was walking with food in his hand.  As he nibbled at the food in his hand, throwing away the small particles, it occurred to him that he could not divide the food into further parts and thus the idea of a matter which cannot be divided further came into existence.  He called that indivisible matter anu, i.e. molecule, which was misinterpreted as atom.  He also stated that anu can have two states - Absolute rest and a State of motion.
  6. 6. Newton’s Law… 1200 Years before Newton  “Objects fall on the earth due to a force of attraction by the earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, moon and sun are held in orbit due to this attraction.”  The meaning of these lines is parallel to that of Newton’s Law of Gravity.  But these lines are not said by the European scientist. They are said by an Indian - in Surya Siddhanta, dated 400-500 AD, the ancient Hindu astronomer Bhaskaracharya states these lines.  Approximately 1200 years later (1687 AD), Sir Isaac Newton rediscovered this phenomenon and called it the Law of Gravity.
  7. 7. Acharya Charak: Father of Medicine  Acharya Charak has been crowned as the Father of Medicine. His renowned work, the "Charak Samhita," is considered as an encyclopedia of Ayurveda.  His principles, diagnoses, and cures retain their potency and truth even after a couple of millennium.  When the science of anatomy was confused with different theories in Europe, Acharya Charak revealed through his innate genius and inquires the facts on human anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, blood circulation and diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, etc.
  8. 8. Charak Samhita  In the "Charak Samhita" he has described the medicinal qualities and functions of 100,000 herbal plants.  He has emphasized the influence of diet and activity on mind and body.  He has proved the correlation of spirituality and physical health contributed greatly to diagnostic and curative sciences.  He has also prescribed and ethical charter for medical practitioners two centuries prior to the Oath.  Through his genius and intuition, Acharya Charak forever remains etched in the annals of history as one of the greatest and noblest of rishi-scientists.
  9. 9. Sage Bharadwaj  In 1875, the Vymaanika- Shaastra, a fourth century BC text written by Maharshi Bhardwaj, was discovered in a temple in India.  The book dealt with the operation of ancient vimanas and included information on steering, precautions for long flights, protection of the airships from storms and lightning, and how to switch the drive to solar energy, or some other “free energy” source. Vimanas were said to take off vertically or dirigible.  Bharadwaj the Wise refers to no less than 70 authorities and 10 experts of air travel in antiquity.
  10. 10. Rishi Kanva  The science of wind has been explained by Sage Kanva in Rigveda sections 8/41/6 in Jagati meter of God wind.  Sage Kashyapa has described the features and properties of this substance in Rigveda 9/64/26 in the hymns of God Pavamana Soma in meter Gayatri.  Kanva was a great Rishi, a descendent of Sage Angirasa.  He looked after Shakuntala when she was abandoned by her mother and father (rishi vishwamitra). Bharat, the son of Shakuntala was also brought up by him.
  11. 11. Sage Kapil Muni: Author of the Sankhya Darshan  Kapil muni was born equipped with rare intellect, dispassion and spiritual powers.  He authored Sankhya Darshan that defined the term "Dhyaan or Meditation" as “the state of mind when remains without any subjectivity / objectivity i.e. without any thought (when the mind is away from worldly objects), is called the "Dhyaan or Meditation”.  He teaches that there is an unbroken continuity from the lowest inorganic to the highest organic forms.  The source of world according to him is Prakriti (fundamental nature).
  12. 12. Kapil Muni: Finding how the Universe was created  According to Kapil Muni, there are twenty-five principles responsible for the manifestation of the Creation (Samasara), out of which Purusha and Prakriti are eternal and independent of each other.  Kapila is not concerned to deny the reality of personal God or Maheshwara. Yet his assertion is that, no arguments can irrefutably establish God's reality.  Therefore, in his model of creation the Purusha (Spirit) and Prakrity (matter) are held solely responsible for creation, without acknowledging an Almighty and intelligent Creator, the God.
  13. 13. Patanjali: The Father of Yoga  The Science of Yoga is one of several unique contributions of India to the world.  It seeks to discover and realize the ultimate Reality through yogic practices.  Acharya Patanjali, prescribed the control of prana (life breath) as the means to control the body, mind and soul.  This subsequently rewards one with good health and inner happiness.  His 84 yogic postures effectively enhance the efficiency of the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive and endocrine systems and many other organs of the body.
  14. 14. Aryabhatt  He was a master Astronomer and Mathematician, born in 476 CE in Kusumpur (Bihar).  In 499 CE, he wrote a text on astronomy and an unparallel treatise on mathematics called "Aryabhatiyam"  He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses.  Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim that the earth is round, it rotates on its axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space - 1,000 years before Copernicus published his heliocentric theory.
  15. 15. Sushruta  Born to sage Vishwamitra, Sushruta is the father of surgery.  2600 years ago, he and health scientists of his time conducted complicated surgeries like cesareans, cataract, artificial limbs, Rhinoplasty (restoration of a damaged nose), 12 types of fractures, 6 types of dislocations, urinary stones and even plastic surgery and brain surgery.  Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India.  He is the author of the book "Sushruta Samhita", in which he describes over 300 surgical procedures and 125 surgical instruments.
  16. 16. Bhaskaracharya  He calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart;  Time taken by earth to orbit the sun: (5th century) 365.258756484 days.  Born in the obscure village of Vijjadit (Jalgaon) in Maharastra, Bhaskaracharya's mathematical works called "Lilavati" and "Bijaganita" are considered to be unparalleled.  In his treatise "Siddhant Shiromani" he writes on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, mathematical techniques and astronomical equipment.  In the "Surya Siddhant" he makes a note on the force of gravity.
  17. 17. Varahamihira  Varahamihir's book "panch siddhant", noted that the moon and planets are lustrous not because of their own light but due to sunlight.  In the "Bruhad Samhita" and "Bruhad Jatak", he has revealed his discoveries in the domains of geography, constellation, science, botany and animal science.  In his treatise on botanical science, Varahamihir presents cures for various diseases afflicting plants and trees.
  18. 18. The galaxy is oval, Earth is spherical  Yajur Vedic verse: "Brahmaanda vyapta deha bhasitha himaruja..." describing Shiva as the one who is spread out in Brahmaanda.  Anda means an egg depicting the shape of the galaxy.  It was the middle east Europians and Greeks who wrongly believed that earth was flat.  But Indians, since long have always known that it was spherical.  In many scriptures, the word Bhoogola is used, Gola meaning round.
  19. 19. Existence of Atomic and Sub atomic particles  The world accounts discovery of atoms and sub atomic particles to Western scientists who coined these words and theories only in the early 17th century.  An excerpt from Lalitha Sahasranama, told by Hayagreeva to Agasthya muni, dating back to the distant ages of the past,describes the Goddess as the super consciousness/Brahman that pervades even the sub atomic particles within matter.  "Paranjyotih parandhamah paramanuh paratpara". The word "anuvu" means atom.  Paramanu is sub-atomic particle, finer than the finest of atom, meaning electrons and the others.
  20. 20. Ancient times and nuclear weapons  Radiation still so intense, the area is highly dangerous!  A heavy layer of radioactive ash in Rajasthan, India, covers a three-square mile area, ten miles west of Jodhpur.  For some time it has been established that there is a very high rate of birth defects and cancer in the area under construction.  Scientists have unearthed an ancient city where evidence shows an atomic blast dating back thousands of years, from 8,000 to 12,000 years, destroying everything most of the buildings and probably a half-million people.
  21. 21. Ancient times and nuclear weapons II  The Mahabharata clearly describes a catastrophic blast that rocked the continent.  "A single projectile charged with all the power in the Universe...An incandescent column of smoke and flame as bright as 10,000 suns, rose in all its splendor...  it was an unknown weapon, an iron thunderbolt, a gigantic messenger of death which reduced to ashes an entire race.”  Historian Kisori Mohan Ganguli says that Indian sacred writings are full of such descriptions.
  22. 22. Ancient ultrasound machines?  Using a variety of complicated instruments, gynecologists have gradually come to know how the embryo grows during the period of pregnancy.  But the Shrimad Bhagavatam, 3rd canto, 30th chapter, gives a vivid description of the growth of the embryo in the mother's womb.  If we compare the information given therein with the information given in a standard textbook such as the embryology section of Gray's Anatomy, there are striking similarities in the information obtained from the two sources.
  23. 23. Ancient science knows more than modern science?  The Vedas claim that there are living entities everywhere - even in fire.  Modern science, however, presumed that no life could exist in fire.  This presumption is in fact the basis for the process of sterilization.  But recent advancements in the field of medicine have shown that microbes called 'fire bacteria' survive even in fire.
  24. 24. The incredible powers of the ancient Siddharshi!  Siddharshi are a type of saint in India who are said to have had many powers and achieved a ‘god-like’ state through specific secret practices that were known only to them.  These powers spanned from controlling time and space, to transforming the body, manipulating matter at the molecular level and achieving immortality.  The Siddharshi were followers of the God Shiva and according to different texts there were 18 of them.  Their teachings and findings were written in the form of poems in the Tamil language.
  25. 25. Who were Siddharshi?  There is a debate as to who was the first Siddharshi.  Some legends talk about Sri Pathanjali, who was considered to be an incarnation of Adiseshan, the celestial five-headed snake associated with God Vishnu.  But the prevailing tradition refers to Agasthya (or Agasthyar) as the first Siddharshi, one of the seven sages (or Saptarshis) as mentioned in the Vedic texts, and he was the son of the god Brahma of the Hindu creation story.
  26. 26. Siddhas or scientists?  Agathiyar is considered to be the author of a lot of the first Siddha literature and he was supposed to have lived in the 7th century BC.  About 96 books are attributed to him and that includes writings in alchemy, medicine and spirituality.  Apart from the legends that exist, the beginnings of the Siddhars’ are lost in time.
  27. 27. Ashta Siddhis of Siddhas  The powers that the Siddhars possessed were separated in categories.  The main category included 8 powers called ashta siddhis:  To become tiny as the atom within the atom (Anima);  To become big in unshakeable proportions (Mahima);  To become as light as vapour in levitation (Laghima);  To become as heavy as the mountain (Garima);  To enter into other bodies in transmigration (Prapti);  To be in all things, omni-pervasive (Prakamya);  To be lord of all creation in omnipotence (Isatvam);  To be everywhere in omnipresence (Vasitvam)
  28. 28. Ten Siddhis of Siddhas  There are ten secondary siddhis as described in Bhagavata Purana that include the following:  Being undisturbed by hunger, thirst, and other bodily appetites;  Hearing things far away;  Seeing things far away;  Moving the body wherever thought goes (teleportation/astral projection);  Assuming any form desired;  Entering the bodies of others;  Dying when one desires;  Witnessing and participating in the past times of the gods;  Perfect accomplishment of one's determination;  Orders or commands being unimpeded
  29. 29. Ancient science and Siddhas  A famous Siddha was Tirumular, who was a Tamil mystic and writer of 6th century AD and was also one of the 18 Siddhas according to the Tamil Siddha tradition.  His main work is named “Tirumantiram”, a 3,000 verse text, which is the foundation of the Southern Shaiva Siddharta School of philosophy.  Another Siddha, Bhogar (Bhoganathar), who lived between the 3rd and 5th century AD is said to have discovered the elixir of immortality – one his main works is the Pharmacognosy.
  30. 30. The mystery remains…!  Due to the closely-guarded nature of the Siddhar records, the original knowledge of this enigmatic group of saints has remained shrouded in secrecy.  The question remains whether their powers were real and, if so, how they managed to attain them.  Manipulating space, time and matter would require knowledge far beyond what we have today.
  31. 31. Be Proud To Be An Indian Jai Bharatvarsh!!!

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Guruvayurappan

Guruvayurappan 

There were three great Mahatmas in South India who initially showed the path of Bhagavatha Dharma. Even though this path was propounded by the Lord himself, “Bhagavatha Proktam Bhagavatham”, many a Mahatmas came down in the age of Kali to show the beautiful path of bhakti. Bhagavatha Dharma and Bhakti are no different. People do not comprehend the term ‘bhakti’ and have a wrong notion that they might not develop bhakti and that is why we call it as Bhagavatha Dharma because dharma is something that everyone can follow. Many Mahatmas showed the path of bhakti from time immemorial. But if we were to pick the proponents of bhakti from South India, they were three Mahatmas – Sri Bhagawan Nama Bodendral Swamigal, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval Swamigal and Sri Sadguru Swamigal. Sri Bodendra was an ascetic who showed the greatness of Rama Nama. His life was a standing example depicting the greatness of chanting the divine names of the Lord. We see from his life history [charithra] that a deaf and dumb boy when he consumed Bodendral’s food remnants [the leftover food that was consumed by Sri Bodendral] immediately started chanting the divine names of Lord Rama. Shri Shridhara Venkatesa Swamigal fondly called as Shri.Shridhara Ayyaval was born in Karnataka and later migrated to Thiruvisainallur, a place that housed many great scholars and was a feet of intelligence. In Karnataka, he was serving the Karnataka royal family and relinquished his royal honor and settled in Thiruvisainallur purely out of bhakti and devotion to Lord Shiva. He was incessantly chanting the divine names of Lord Shiva – “Srikantam Iva Bhasvantham Shiva Nama Parayanam”. He was a householder but only led the life of an ascetic akin to the drop of water on a lotus leaf. The drop of water would not have any contact with the lotus leaf and will happily flow down when pushed away from the lotus leaf. Being a staunch follower of dharma, he performed all his duties as a house-holder including all the religious activities like shrhada, which one does to their fore-fathers once a year. Shardha is usually performed after sunrise during the mid-day. One day, Sri Shridhara was getting ready for the Shradha and went to take bath in Cauvery River and was returning back to home. It is believed that on the day of Shradha, the ancestors come down and par-take the food that was offered by the householders. They get immensely pleased by the hospitality of these householders and bless the householder and his family abundantly. Special dishes are normally cooked and offered to the ancestors. When Sri Sridhara was returning from the river, he spotted a man who was starving and hadn’t eaten any food for many days and was on the verge of death. All scriptures describe compassion as the first good quality of a Bhagavatha. A thought struck Sri Sridhara – “What is the use of serving the fore-fathers when one of my brothers is on the brink of death”. He brought the beggar home and sumptuously fed him. The Pandits who were supposed to be performing for the Shradha came to know of this and were enraged by Sri Sridhara’s act and they walked away. They also made sure that no other Pandits steps their foot at the residence of Sri.Shridhara. When the Pandits questioned his act, he pleaded guilty for his act from the Shastras perspective and requested the Pandits to complete the ceremony. Even though he pleaded with all humility, the Pandits did not listen to him. Ayyaval then requested them to advice on the atonement for the sin that he committed. They then consulted each other for the expiation and advised Ayyaval to perform the ceremony after taking a dip in the Ganges River in Varanasi. It is a fact that one’s sins get absolved after taking a dip in Ganga. Ayyaval was glad to hear the remedy [prayaschitha], however it was not possible to go to Varanasi and return the same day. The ceremony had to be performed that very day and pleaded with the Pandits to finish off the Shraddha and that he will certainly make a trip to Varanasi and take a dip in holy Ganges. They however did not budge and so Ayyaval told them that he cannot go to Varanasi that very moment and that he can have Ganga come over to Thiruvisainallur. Saying so, he went to the well at the back of his house, and started chanting the divine names of Lord Shiva – “Gangadhara Gangadhara”. The very moment he started chanting the divine names of Lord Shiva, the well began springing up with water, which was verily the water from Ganges. It started springing with so much water that the well began to overflow and soon flooded Ayyaval’s home and all the streets in Thiruvisainallur. In the beginning, the denizens of Thiruvisainallur did not believe that it was verily Ganges that was flowing in the streets. The people who had earlier talked bad about Ayyaval went and hid themselves in their houses and were afraid that Ayyaval would curse them. Only a chosen few who realized that it was Ganga Devi who visited them in their village took a dip in the waters and got themselves purified. This incident happened on an Ammavasya day in the Kartika month and it is believed that every year since then, on the Kartika Ammavsya day, Ganges does come to this well in Ayyaval’s home and people take a dip in river Ganges. The whole incident is celebrated till day as “Ganga Karshanam – attracting Ganga to one’s own house”, which purely comes by the merit of Ayyaval’s bhakti which was verily generated out of his love for the divine names of Lord Shiva.

The Lord takes so many Avatars in this earth and each of these Avatars [descension] coming down tis verily due to his compaasion. When he comes down, he is at a very high level and descends [irangi varadhu in Tamil]. When the Lord comes down it is Irakam in Tamil, which also connotes compassion. He comes down to shower his grace on everyone. Our Guru Maharaj always cites a beautiful example to substantiate this descent. A normal householder one day decides to clean the road behind his house. The next day he is all clad in dirty rags and cleans the road with his friends. Inspite of this being a good act by responsible citizens, it however does not hit the media headlines. On the other hand, if the same act was done by the President of a country, it is the important news in the media. Why? A President is not expected to do that and his position and stature in the society doesn’t merit his coming down to such a dirty place and cleaning it. This is verily descent. He lowers his level and mingles with all the jivas, does all the work and in turn cleanses the jivas. So when the Lord descends he definitely demands the attention of Brahma and other Devas, which are akin to the media and press in the mundane world. He might descend down in a unique creature like half man half lion and this incarnation might not require lot of compassion since it is indeed an unique manifestation. He came down as a Kshatriya king as Rama and it merited lot of attention because he was a normal mortal and did all the activities of a normal living-being all throughout his incarnation even though he was born in royal family. People were afraid to approach Rama because of his stature. It was Rama who went behind Guha to embrace him even though Guha didn’t expect this out of Rama. He made friends with monkeys out of sheer compassion. The Lord however was not satisfied with his incarnation as Rama because of his demeanor and decided to incarnate as a mere cow-herd and merged with the normal mortals. Even though Lord Krishna enacted myriad of divine plays during his incarnation, the stealing of butter episode captivated everyone the most. It is verily the “Makh and Chor Krishna” that people worship in their homes even today. He always resides as a little naughty kid inside everyone. Even though we can find such a Krishna in so many different places across our country, the Lord in Guruvayoor stands out and has enticed everyone the most. The beautiful stature of Lord Guruvayoor attracts the devotees to come and hug the Lord. Guruvayoor is located in Trichur district in Southern India. Sri Narayana Bhattatri composed the beautiful Narayaneeyam, containing thousand slokas. He starts off on the first sloka with the term, ‘Hantha – Alas’. He looked at the compassion of the Lord and his own fortune – “hantha bhagyam jananam” and hence said ‘Alas’. One may ponder as to why he is fortunate. Bhatadri beautifully says, that very beautiful form of the Lord filled with compassion and incarnated after shedding all his qualities. Some opine that the Lord cannot be understood [aspashtam], but through his divine incarnation as Lord Krishna, everyone can understand the Lord with ease. Some say that Lord is “Nirmuktam”, the one who is completely free from all bondages. But in his manifestation as Lord Krishna, he has completely given himself to the strings of mother Yashoda. It is a fact that the Lord can never be bounded [nithyamuktam], but today the Lord gives himself to anyone who visits Guruvayoor today. The devotees are enraptured by the beauty of Lord Guruvayoorappan and place the Lord tightly in their hearts.

“Sandranandavabodatmakamanupamitam kaladeshavadibyam

Nirmuktam nithyamuktam nigamashatashasrena nirbhasyamanam|

Asphastam drushtamatrae punarurupurushartaathmakam brahma thatvam

Thatvadhbhato sakshaat gurupavanapurae hanta bhagyam jananam||”

Bhattathri conveys the fact that even though one may have a strong intellect and that the mind always tries to find a logical reason for every act and always questions each and every thing. One cannot be satisfied with things that don’t have logic and use the sense organs to question everything. Finally, at the end of questioning, is one satisfied with the answers? No. If one is satisfied, then he will not have any questions. Bhattathri says that there is an easy way to find answers to the questions of the intellect. The easiest way is to engage the sense organs with something else. When the eyes are busy admiring a form which is more attracting than finding the answers to the intellectual questions, when the ears are busy hearing to some music which is more enchanting than finding answers to the questions, then one need not take any effort to find the answers. The best form of answers to the questions is to realize that these questions don’t matter to us and that the form of Lord Krishna is more impactful than all these questions and answers. That state is verily an exalted state and Bhattathri extols the glory of bhakti in the second Dashakam, where he says that Guruvayurappan can bestow one with answers to these questions and that there will be no questions any more. The little Krishna has been in Guruvayur for ages and Puranas goes to say that this Krishna was verily the form whom Vasudeva worshipped in the purana of Mathura. The holy town of Mathura has the presence [Sannidhya] of Lord Sri Hari always. Srimad Bhagavatam hails Matura as ‘nithyam san nihito harihi’ and it was the abode of Vasudeva and Devaki. They used to perform Pooja to Lord Krishna in Adikeshava Perumal temple. This Krishna who is now in Guruvayur was in Adikeshava temple before coming to Guruvayur. It is verily the Pooja performed to this Krishna that Lord Krishna was born to Vasudeva and Devaki. In other words, the Guruvayur Krishna bestowed us with Lord Sri Krishna and Srimad Bhagavatam. Even after Lord Krishna was born, Vasudeva continued to do his poojs to Krishna in Adikeshava temple. Since Jarasandha started to torment the denizens of Mathura, Lord Krishna vacated Mathura and settled in Dwaraka. Vasudeva couldn’t part with Adikeshava Perumal and so he took him along to Dwaraka and established a temple. When Lord Sri Krishna was about to depart from his earthly sojourn, he presaged to his dear friend that Dwaraka would be submerged in the sea soon after his departure and instructed him to perform Pooja to Adikeshava Krishna. As per Krishna’s ordinance, Uddhava was performing pooja and also read Bhagavatam to Adikeshava Krishna. That is verily the reason why the Lord in Guruvayur is a connoisseur of Srimad Bhagavatam. He soon moved to Bhadrikashrama and as Dwaraka was getting submerged in the waters, two Devas namely Brishaspathi [Guru] and Lord Vayu [the wind god] wanted to keep this Krishna alive and brought Krishna down south by air. They were looking for a perfect place to install the Lord and spotted a place in Western Ghats that had a lot of Lord Shiva’s divine presence [sannidhya]. Srimad Bhagavatam speaks a lot about Prachetas. The children of Practeas went to meditate on the Lord and Lord Shiva appeared in front of them. He gave them an advice on how to meditate on Lord Krishna. He advised them to go and meditate in Narayana Saras, which has the full presence of Lord Shiva.

“Jitam thae atma vithurya swasthayae swasthirasthumae”

“Bhavatha rada saarathman sarvasvayai athmanae namaha”


Guru and Vayu brought the idol of Krishna to Narayana Saras and Lord Shiva is residing in a temple. On seeing the little Krishna, it is said that Lord Shiva moved out of the temple and shifted to a place called Mammiyoor. So Lord Shiva gave his own place to Lord Krishna and that is verily where Guru and Vayu consecrated Krishna. The little Krishna stands there as “Guruvayurappa” even today. Lord Shiva’s temple in Mammiyoor is about a kilometer away from the Guruvayur temple. It is believed that Lord Shiva looks at Lord Krishna and is doing penance in Mammiyoor. The place originally belonged to Lord Shiva. It was verily the staunch devotees of the Guruvayurappan who made the temple very popular – “Guru prakashae deeman”. It is verily the devotees of the Guru, who make the Guru renowned to the world. Akin to how the devotees of the Lord ranged from a disfigured person [trivakra] and all the way to an elephant, ant, crab and eagle, the Lord in Guruvayur also had many such devotees. There was an elephant called Keshavan, who was a staunch devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan. When we ponder on the devotees of Lord Guruvayurappan, the first one who comes to everyone’s mind is Sri Narayana Bhattathri. HE was afflicted by a disease known as paralysis and composed Narayaneeyam, which contains one thousand slokas. Narayeenam is an essence of Srimad Bhagavatam, not missing any divine play of Lord Krishna. Whatever is mentioned in Bhagavatam is given in essence by Bhattathri in Narayananeeyam. As we all know, Bhagavatam is a dialogue between King Parikshit and Sage Suka, where Sage Suka speaks about the glory of the Lord. The interesting precept to note in Narayaneeyam, is that Bhattathri speaks to the Lord and in turn composed Naryananeeyam. He says – “Oh ! My little Guruvayurappa, weren’t you the one who came out of the pillar, when Hiranyakashipu smashed it?, weren’t you the one who churned the milky ocean, weren’t you the one who came as a midget and who eventually grew up in size to subdue the ego of King Mahabali? It is beautiful to note that the Lord replied to Bhattathri that it was verily he who enacted all these divine plays and also enacted the same in front of Bhattathri. He enacted all the divine plays to confirm that Bhatthari’s imaginations were indeed true. The place where the Lord enacted all the divine plays and the place where Bhattathri composed “Narayananeeyam” still exist. At the end of Narayananeeyam, Bhattathri was cured of his paralysis and was bestowed with the divine darshan of Lord Krishna.

“Agrae pashyami thaejo nibidatharakalaavali lobhaneeyam

Peeyushaplavithoham thadanu thadhutharae divyakaishoravesham | “

“Tharunyaa ramba ramyam paramasuka rasaasvadaro maanchithangai

Raavitham naradhadyai vilasadhupani shath sundari mandalaicha ||” [Srimad Narayaneeyam 100:1]



“Neelambham kunchithagram Ganamamalatharam samyatam charubhangyaa

Rathnothamsabiram valayitha mudhayach chandrakaihi pinchajalaihi |”

“Mandaara sangranivitham thava prithukabarrr bhara maalokayeham

Snigdashwethodhva pundramapi cha sulalithim phalabalaebdhuvithim ||” [Srimad Narayaneeyam 100:2]

In the last ten slokas of Narayaneeyam, Bhattathri extolled the beautiful form of Lord Krishna from head to toe, when the Lord appeared in front of Bhattathri. Bhatthri enjoys the form of the Lord in front of him and says that he is bathing in nectar and that he develops goose bumps all over the body seeing the form of the Lord who is in his youth.

“Manjarim manjunadairiva padabhajanam sheya yithyalapantham

PaDagram Branthi majath pranatha janamano mandarodhAra koormama |”

“Utthungaa thamRa jannakara himakarajyothsnaya chashrithanamam

Santhapadhwantha hanthrim thathimanukalaye mangalam angulinam ||” [Srimad Narayaneeyam 100.9]

Bhattathri admires the anklets in the Lord’s feet that the sounds that emanate from the anklets are forever ringing in his ears and that the Lord’s feet is akin to the tortoise lifting the devotees from the transmigration of life and death.

“Yogindranam tvadangaeshavadika sumaduram muktibhaajAm nivAsO”

Bhaktanam Kamavarshadh dutharakisalayam nAthatae pada moolam |”

Nithyam chithasthitam mae pavanapurapathae kRishna kArunyasindho

Hruthva nishshaesha thaapan pradishath paramananda sandhoha lakshmIm ||” [Srimad Narayaneeyam 100.10]

Bhattathri then admires the holy feet of the Lord. He says “Oh Lord, your feet is the most sacred to the Yogis and it can bestow liberation to everyone.” It can grant whatever one desires and finally declares that the Lord’s feet is the most admirable part in the Lord’s whole body and that all Yogis’ yearn to have the darshan of the Lord’s feet.

Bhagavatam says –“Akamo sarvakamo va moksha kamo udharathihi” The holy feet can bestow one all way from an ordinary mundane desire to liberation. It is not a Kalpataru but indeed a leaf from the Kaplataru.

And finally Bhattathri prays to that beautiful form of the Lord standing in front of him to reside in his heart forever. He finally concluded with the prayer that the feet that was cause of happiness for Goddess Lakshmi be the cause for his happiness. The Lord also bestowed Bhattathri with that wish. It is ok to turn to the Lord for desires as long as the desire ends in desire for bhakti and liberation.


The greatness of Lord Guruvayurappan and the reminisced his divine plays.

When Sri Suka describes the birth of Lord Krishna, it was a dark prison cell where Vasudeva and Devaki were imprisoned. There was an observer in the prison and it was none other than Sage Sukha. When Vasudeva and Devaki were admiring Little Krishna, Sage Suka was looking at Vasdeva and explains as to what Vasudeva really saw. He perceived the child to be a form of the Lord who has stunning lotus like eyes and four arms. The Lord was holding a conch [sanka], discus and maze [gadha] in his three arms. Lord Vasudeva did not see what the Lord was carrying in his fourth arm. It was Devaki who noticed that the Lord was holding a lotus in his fourth arm and she prayed to the Lord and requested him to become a child with two arms. It is verily this child-like form of the Lord that is seen in Guruvayur even today. Vasudeva earlier worshipped the same form of the Lord in Adhikesava temple before Lord Krishna was born and do Vasudeva only saw that very form of the Lord in front of his eyes. It was indeed a great form of the Lord since it was worshipped by Vasudeva and Uddhava and Lord Shiva himself gave his place requesting Guru and Vayu to consecrate the Lord in his abode which is called Guruvayur today. The form of the Lord is so great since everyone can see that form of the Lord even today.

We all know that Srimad Bhagavatam is a conversation between Sake Suka and King Parikshit, whereas Narayaneeyam is a conversation between Bhattathiri and the Lord. He addresses everything to Guruvayurappa. In one of his conversation with the Lord, Bhattathiri fondly recalled the incarnation of Lord Varaha and says, “Oh My Guruvayurappa, Hiranyaksha came down and hid the whole world under the waters. You know what you did, you took even a smaller form and came out from the nose of Lord Brahma and you eventually grew in size of a big mountain to become a boar”. Bhattathiri beautifully admires how the Lord became a boar and how he sailed through the air and jumped right into the ocean with the nose pointing down akin to a wild boar, and picked mother earth on his teeth which were curved above. Bhattathiri admired the teeth that were curved above which was sparkling white and earth which was in blue color, looked like third day moon that a little curve and streak on top. You were so happily grunting. Hiranyaksha came out to look for Lord Hari and enquired the Lord’s whereabouts with Sage Narada, who asked him to go to the forests. On seeing the Lord in the guise of a boar, Hiranyaksha started abusing the boar form of the Lord. The Lord accepted all the abuses by Hiranyaksha as a beautiful lotus garland around the neck and still bestowed him with Moksha. Bhattathiri was all awe on the Lord’s immense compassion on Hiranyaksha. This is verily an instance of how Bhattathiri showers his love on the Lord in form of Narayaneeyam. He was unable to imagine the little innocent Guruvayurappan who came down in the form of a half human and half lion form and tore Hiranyakashipu apart and so he questioned the Lord – “Oh Guruvayurappa, were you the one who came down as Lord Narasimha who tore Hiranyakashipu’s intestines apart and wore them as a garland around your neck?”. Guruvayurappan then enacted the whole Prahalada charitra in front of Bhattathiri . Such is the greatness of Bhattathiri ’s works. When Gajendra shouted “Narayana Akila Guro Bhagawan Namaste”, the Lord came in Garuda and bestowed him with liberation [moksha], the greatest of the greatest. Suddenly Bhattathiri had a doubt on the Lord’s form. The Lord had four hands and in one hand he was holding the conch [sankha], in the other hand he had the discus [chakra], mace [gada] in the third hand and lotus in the fourth hand. He was cognizant of the first three items namely the conch, discus and mace which are verily the Lord’s sporting goods in Vaikuntam and Shirabdhi. He was unsure about the lotus in the Lord’s fourth hand and so he enquired about the lotus and the Lord replied that it was verily this lotus that was offered to the Lord’s holy feet by Gajendra. He offered a lotus from the pond when the Lord saved him. It is a fact that the Lord holds whatever that is offered by a devotee very close to his heart.

Out of hundred dashakams In Narayaneeyam, about seventy to eighty dashakams are dedicated to Lord Krishna’s divine plays. He delineated all the divine plays of the Lord in Narayaneeyam. During Kaliya Nardhanam, he was unable to believe that Guruvayurappan danced on the head of Kaliya, the thousand headed snake. He jumped from the branch of Kadamba tree right on the snake and touched the tail first. Kaliya soon entwined Lord Krishna with his tail and took him inside the waters. Lord Krishna was inside the waters for couple of minutes as if caught by the snake. Gopas and Gopis, who were standing on the banks of river Yamuna, started crying since they were not able to see him and thought that they had lost him. The Lord wanted to play a prank on the Gopas and Gopis and so hid himself in the waters. They were unable to comprehend this and started weeping. The Lord then realized that it was not the right time to play pranks and so he immediately came out of the waters and jumped right on Kaliya’s head and started to dance.

atha vaariNi ghOorataraM phANinaM prativaarayituM kRihtadhiirbhagavan |
druthamaaritha tIraga nIpataruM viShamaarutashOShita parNachayam || [Narayaneeyam 55.1]

atha dikshuvidikshu parikshubhita bhramithOdara vaari ninaadabharaiH |
udakaadudagaaduragaadhipati-stvadupAntamashAntaruShAndhamanAH || [Naryanaeeyam 55.4]

The cadence in which Bhattathiri described Kaliya Nardhanam was in the same meter in which the Lord danced on Kaliya and the reason Bhattathiri was able to portray the divine play in such a visual manner was verily because the Lord performed the leela in front of Bhattathiri. Even today there are lots of inscriptions on Lord Krishna’s divine plays on the temple pillars in Guruvayur, which stands as a testimony to the precept that Lord Krishna himself had played the leelas there. Dashakam means a set of ten slokas. After every dasakam, he cries out to the Lord – “Oh! My Lord Guruvayurappa, you have bestowed your grace on everyone, won’t you not bestow your grace on me?” He was suffering from paralysis [vAtharogam] and cried out to the Lord that only he can cure him of that disease. The Lord wanted to extract Narayaneeyam from Bhattathiri and that was verily the reason he was afflicted with paralysis. When Bhadrachalam Ramadas was imprisoned, he thought it was a good time to sing kirtans on Lord Rama. He was least bothered by the problems inside the prison in Golkonda fort and he was only thinking about Lord Rama. Even today one can see the gory place where Bhadrachalam Ramadas was imprisoned.

If we take the life-history of Bhakta Meera, she was in absolute peace with her Giridhari when she was tortured by King Rana. Brindavan was in her heart and she did not want to go anywhere – “Brindavaname un manamae”. It was only when Rana banished her, she moved to Brindavan. When Mahans undergo more and more sufferings, it only makes them more and more aligned to the Lord.

The Lord listened to Narayaneeyam to the fullest and cured his disease and finally came in front of him. He was standing not with four hands as seen by Vasudeva but in the form of a beautiful Krishna with two arms holding a flute. When the Lord came in front of Mahans, they normally perform a “Padadi kaesha Varnanam” or “KeshAdi pAda varnanam”, where the former means a stuthi starting from the feet all the way to the head of the Lord while, the latter means a stuthi starting from the head of the Lord all the way to the Lord’s feet. Here Bhhathari starts from the head. The reason why Mahans don’t start from the feet is because the Lord’s feet are so beautiful and alluring that they cannot go beyond the holy feet. Thirumangai Azhwar describes how Mother Sita admired the beautiful countenance of Lord Rama, starting from the knot on the Lord’s head with tuft of hair and finally ends at the Lord’s feet – “Adiyum ahhde!”. Bhattathiri described the form of the Lord just as how he saw the Lord in front of him and he finally prostrated unto to the holy feet of the Lord which was so soft and tender. He ended Narayaneeyam with a very auspicious word, Lakshmi Sandoha Lakshmi. One will be bestowed with devotion to the Lord [Bhakti] which is verily the greatest of all Lakshmis, when one reads Narayananeeyam. Such was the life of Bhattathiri. The Lord showered his grace to many devotees around Guruvayur. There was a devotee called Poonthanam. Narayana Bhattathiri was a great Sanskrit scholar and knew all the six Angas of the Vedas –Shikshya, kalpam, Vyakaranam, Nirukta, Chandas. Poonthanam was a novice in Sanskrit. He used to sing praises of the Lord in Malayalam which was his mother tongue. He was one reciting Vishnu Shahasarnamam and instead of reciting the Nama as “Amara Prabhuhu” he recited it as “Mara Prabhuhu”. Amara connotes Devas and Amara Prabhuhu means the ‘Lord of all Devas’.

Bhattathiri who was passing by heard Poonthanam reciting the nama as Mara Prabhuhu. The next day, Poonthanam again recited the name as Mara Prabhuhu. Bhattathiri became really mad hearing Poonthanam’s recital of Vishnu Shasarnamam and asked him not to chant Vishnu Shasarnamam since he had not learnt it properly. That very night, the Lord came in Bhattathiri’s dreams and told him that he was pleased with Poonthanam’s bhakti more than Bhattathiri’s scholarliness. He also clarified that he is indeed “Mara Prabhu” which connotes “Lord of all human beings, plants and animals”. The very next day, Bhattathiri prostrated unto Poonthanam and that “Amara Prabhuhu” and “Mara Prabhuhu” are indeed correct and requested him to continue chanting the nama verse as “Mara Prabhuhu”. It was indeed a divine play of the Lord to show that he was indeed “Mara Prabhuhu”. There was once a devotee of Poonthanam who would string garlands to little Guruvayurappan. She would offer the garland to the Lord every evening. One day she was running a little late as she had some chores to complete. By the time she reached the temple, Dolotsav was already done and the temple was closed. There was no one else in the temple and she saw Poonthanam, who was the last person to come out of the temple. She prostrated unto Poonthanam and told him that she was not able to get the garland on time and hence she was not able to offer it to Lord Krishna. There is a tree called “Manjulal” outside the Guruvayurappan temple. One would first have the darshan of the tree before entering the temple. Since the Lord was “Mara Prabhuhu” who is the Lord of trees [Mara], Poonthanam requested the girl to offer the garland to the tree. She implicitly obeyed Poonthanam and offered the garland to Manjulal. The next morning, when all the Pandits opened the temple to wake up the Lord, they saw the same garland around the Lord’s neck. Such was the Lord’s compassion on that little girl who verbatim obeyed her Guru’s words. The Lord was so fond of Bhagavatam and so Poonthanam used to read Bhagavatam all the time in his house. One day he had some guests at home and was not able to do Bhagavata Parayanam. So he went to the back of his house since he did not want to ill-treat the guests and started reading Bhagavatam. He was reading third canto to be more specific the 14th and 15th chapters, the incarnation Varaha Avatar, where the Devas went to meet Lord Brahma and they are consoled by Lord Brahma and in the fifteenth chapter, Lord Brahma describes the Sanatkumaras voyage to Vaikuntam, and the fifteenth chapter in third canto describes Vaikunta in fine detail. bhringAdhipe harikathAm iva gAyamAne. The bees continuously buzz the names of Lord Hari and all the birds and animals chant the divine names and sign his divine glories. Poonthandam immediately goes into a bhava where he himself goes to Vaikuntam and there he sees two people prostrating unto him. He immediately enquired about them and they who were Devas replied that they were two plantain trees in Poonthanam’s backyard and they got liberated by listening to Bhagavatam. Poonthanam saw the greatness of Bhagavatam. They very listening of Bhagavatam bestow one with Vainkunta. It need not be a human tree and in this case it was a tree that was bestowed with liberation by listening to Bhagavatam, verily because the Lord is “Mara Prabhuhu”.

There was another old devotee called KruramAa who was an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan, who promptly came to have the darshan of the Lord in the morning and in the evening every day. One night as she was returning back home after the Sriveli procession, where the Lord is taken around in a procession on an elephant and then put to sleep, it started raining and she lost her way. She had to cross couple of forests en route to her home and in those days, there were no lights on the road and she lost her way. As she was walking in the forest she was continuously chanting the divine names of Lord Guruvayurappan and suddenly a small boy appeared in front of her and enquired with KruramAa as to how she got lost. She narrated how she got lost and then the boy lead KruramAa to her home. As they both walked, both of them got drenched in the rains. As they reached KruramAa’s house, she thanked the boy for taking her safely to her home and asked his name. The boy replied that his name was Gopala. She wanted to give the boy something as gratitude and when she asked the boy, he asked her for a piece of cloth. He was only clad in a loin cloth on his hip and since he got wet in the rains, he wanted to change his loin cloth. KruramAa looked around and she spotted a red saree. She tore apart some portion of the saree and gave it to the boy. He happily changed his loin cloth and went away. The next morning, when the Pandits opened the temple,to wake the Lord up, they were surprised to behold the beautiful form of the Lord in a red loin cloth. The form of the Lord was so enticing that from that day, the Lord was dressed with only red loin cloth in the night. KruramAa came to have the darshan of the Lord the next day and felt so extremely happy to see the Lord clad in red loin cloth. She was so happy and kept on relishing to herself the divine play and how the Lord showered his grace on her.

Saptha rishi - Pulaha Rishi

Saptha rishi - Pulaha Rishi 

A study of the famous Rishis and Munis of Vedic literature.

Pulaha Rishi is another of the manasa-putra Prajapatis, and a Saptarishi from the first Manvantara. He was born from the navel of Lord Brahma. He was burned due to a curse made by Lord Shiva, then was born again in Vaivasvata Manvantara, this time from Agni's hair.

During his birth in the first Manvantara, Rishi Pulaha was married to another of Daksha's daughters, Kshama. Together they had three sons, Kardama, Kanakapeetha and Urvarivat, and a daughter named Peevari.

There are numerous other mentions of his wives, although we don't know which were co-wives, and which were wives during other births.

According to Bhagavat Purana Pulaha Rishi was also married to Gati, a daughter of Kardama and Devahuthi. The two had three sons – Karmasreshtta, Vareeyaamsu and Sahishnu. Gathi's name is sometimes stated as 'Trinity', and their childrens' names as Kardam, Arvaveera and Sahishnu. In either case, this Kardama is not the same as Kardama Rishi, who manifested from Brahma's shadow.

And there are several other names of Rishi Pulaha's wives: Sandhya, Mrugi, Mrugamanda, Haribhadra, Iravati, Kapishaa, Danshtra, Risha, Tirya, Shweta, Sarama and Surasa. One of his asramas was at Haridwar.

As mentioned in our last segment, Pulaha is named among the principal Saptarishis, or those most often listed from the first Manvantara: Bhrigu, Angiras, Marici, Atri, Vasistha, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu. The last three of these Rishis are said to have not produced true Brahmin stock. Krathu gave birth to pygmy sons, Pulastya was the progenitor of the Raksasas, Vanaras, Kinnaras and Yaksas, and Pulaha was progenitor of the Kimpurusas, Pisacas, goblins, lions, tigers and other animals. As Pulaha Rishi produced non-human sons like deer, lion, tiger, etc., his sons were not well-behaved therefore he adopted Agastya's son, Drudhasya.

Lord Balarama once visited Pulaha Rishi's asrama, as stated in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.79:

anu-srotena sarayum
prayagam upagamya sah
snatva santarpya devadin
jagama pulahasramam

The Lord followed the course of the Sarayu until He came to Prayaga, where He bathed and then performed rituals to propitiate the devas and other living beings. Next He went to the asrama of Pulaha Rishi.

In his Purport, Srila Prabhupada mentions that this Pulahasrama is also known as Hari-kshetra

Saptarishi - Jamdagni Rishi

Saptarishi - Jamdagni Rishi

Jamdagni Rishi is another of the Great Sages included among the Saptarishis in the seventh and current Manvantara. He is also the father of Parashurama, the sixth Visnu incarnation among the dasavatara. Jamadagni, like other Saptarishis, was a descendant of Sage Bhrigu who is a topmost Prajapati created by Lord Brahma.

Jamadagni had five children with his wife Renuka, and Parasurama was the youngest among them. Without having formal instruction, Jamadagni was well versed in sastra and weaponry.

Rishi Jamadagni's wife Renuka was the embodiment of great chastity. Such was her devotion to her husband that daily, she fetched water from the river in a pot made of unbaked clay, which held together only by the power of her devotion to Jamadagni.

One day while at the river, a group of Gandharvas passed overhead in their sky chariot. Filled with desire for only a moment, the unbaked pot that she was carrying dissolved into the river. Afraid to go back to her husband, she waited at the river bank. Waiting for his wife's return, Jamdagni used his yogic powers to see what had taken place with his wife, and he became very angry. One by one, the rishi ordered each of his sons to take up their weapon and end their mother's life. None would do the horrible task except Parasurama, who picked his axe and beheaded her.

Being pleased with his son's dutiful nature, Jamdagni Rishi offered two boons to Parashurama. The son first asked that his mother's head be restored and she be brought back to life; and second, that his brothers, who had been turned to stone by their father upon refusing his orders, also be returned to their bodies. All the family members were restored to life without having memory of experiencing their deaths. In this way, Jamadagni and Parasuram demonstrated dharma between son and father.

Later on, Jamadagni was visited by the Haihaya king, Kartavirya Arjuna, whom he served a feast using a divine calf. Wanting the animal for himself, the demon king decapitated Jamadagni. Enraged, Parasurama killed the king in turn, retrieving his father's head for cremation. Parasurama then began a protracted campaign of killing the kshatriyas, all across Bharata and for the next twenty-one generations. Such was his anger over the death of Rishi Jamdagni.

In the Buddhist text, Vinaya Pitaka, Mahavagga (I.245), the Buddha offers respects to Jamadagni by declaring that the Vedas in their true form were revealed to the original Vedic rishis, including Jamadagni.

Pakistan succeed wiping out knowledhe of Hinduism and become terrorist country


Pakistan succeeded in wiping out Hindu Culture from Luvpur (Lahore), once a heart of Hindu Culture

Established by Luv, the son of Shriram, birthplace of the great Sanskrit grammarian, Panini and capital city of Raja Jaipal - Luvpur (Lahore) !

Ancient name of Lahore was Luvpur ! Luv, son of Shriram established this city on bank of river Râvi. Later, it was known as 'Lahawar' and now as 'Lahore'. It is the birthplace of great Sanskrit Grammarian, 'Panini' and the capital city of Raja Jaipal of 10th century.
Lahore - a city of very mystifying temples where hundreds of Hindus lived !

There were nearly about a hundreds of Sanskrit pâtshâlas (schools) in Lahore. Like Kashi, it was a maternal mansion/renowned for the study of ved and shastra. Great Pundits who lived there used to ritualistically follow the daily chores. Vedic brahmans and philosophers used to perform regular Shraut yadnya (ritual of sacrificial fires). Smarth yadna were also performed there. Lahore was city of very mystifying temples where hundreds of hindus lived !
Temple of Shriram in Luvpur (Lahore)!

Since thousands of years, hundreds of temples in Lahore were as it is. Regular daily worship were offered everywhere along with the vedic chants. Shriram temple in Lahore was stunning ! Temple entrance was outstanding. Walls, pillars and dome? of the temple had beautifully carved ancient sculptures of rich âryâvrat heritage and paintings depicting incidents from Ramayan. Shriram was worshipped religiously (trikal ?) by chanting of vedic hymns. Since the era of Shriram, hundreds of hindu temples of Sanâtan heritage were there in Luvpur and for ages it was known worldwide for ancient remnants of sanâtan heritage.
Exquisite idol of Shriram drenched the entire city of Lahore in devotion

The mesmerising dome of Shriram temple was so beautiful that one would be enchanted by it. The entrance, pillars, dome of the temple and the exquisite idol all spelled out devotion unto Shriram and entire city of Lahore was drenched in devotion !

In 1992, Ram mandir of Ayodhya in Bharat created a chaos everywhere. Dome of Babri Masjid was demolished. About the same time, the editor of 'Nava-e-wakt' writes, ' Although our country is Islamic, ancient Shriram mandir of Lahore stands safe. Lahore which was established by sons of Shriram, Luv and Kush is safe and we are proud of it.
Pakistan government destroyed glorious temple for constructing a six storey shopping complex

Temple in Lahore was as old as that in Ayodhya. But Pakistan government demolished this glorious temple in such a manner that no remnants of the temple remain. This temple had an area of one acre but nothing remains of it now ! Contractors are planing to construct six storey shopping complex there in accordance to the plans of the government which includes a ground floor and a basement too. Bhartiya government has shown a careless attitude as if it has nothing to do with the Shriram temple. This pseudo secular government which believes in Nehru ideals must be elated by the demolition of the temple in their hearts of heart.
How did Lahore go to Pakistan during partition?

Weak and impotent Indian administration and English/ convent educated Hindus who look down upon Hindu culture as uncivilized

Indian administration is weak and impotent such that anybody may bully it. If those bullying it say that, 'Bharat is a country of slaves and the inmates are destined to be so', they accept it as though slavery is in their blood. They do not deserve independence. They are incapable of it and mere thought of facing the enemies baffle them. Britishers have disgraced the Hindu Sanatan culture such that English educated hindus of today look down upon Hindu Sanatan culture as uncivilized and feel honoured to follow the footsteps of / emulate the Britishers.
Radcliffe, the authority / mentor to decide where Lahore would be after partition

Later during the British rule, in 1849, Lahore went in the hands of the Britishers. During partition, the fate of Lahore was in the hands of a British officer, Radcliffe. In front of him laid the map of Akhand Bharat (Undivided Bharat) and he held red and blue colour pencils in his hands. The map would be demarcated with blue for the cities and villages which would remain in Bharat and those marked with red would go to Pakistan. He had his eyes set on Lahore ! Would it be marked with red or blue ! Its fate was in his hands ! Hindu activist were labouring hard to prevent Lahore from going Pakistan / so that Lahore remained with Bharat. History was a witness to the fact that Lahore should remain with Bharat and there were proof on Adhibhoutik (Physical), Adhyatmik (spiritual), Adhidavik (Divine) grounds to say why Lahore should remain with Bharat.
Hindu leaders were unable to give bribe of two lakhs rupees and thus Lahore went to Pakistan when Jinha League arranged for the money :

Radcliffe, corrupt by nature, demanded bribe. British and their language, both manipulative knew only to deal in terms of pounds ! They could destroy culture for the sake of mere wealth. They were indifferent to what is right or wrong. Britishers were basically dishonest and crazy ! Eight highly posted Viceroys like Warren Hasting, Dalhousie were corrupt and left no stone unturned to loot Bharat. If we look at history, we realise that they cheated people like Unichand by looting wealth. Money meant all for them ! Radcliffe had nothing to do with culture or historical proofs / history, all he knew was money. He straight forwardly demanded a bribe of two lakhs rupees from Hindu leaders. 'Pakistan Herald', a newspaper from Lahore brought a detailed report about this. Similarly, there was an editorial and a five column detailed article. Although hindu leaders tried hard; they failed to give the bribe. Jinha league arranged for it and Radcliffe got his demand met. Immediately, Lahore was marked red in the map and Lahore became a part of Pakistan.

- Dr. Kate Swami (Sapthahik Sanatan Chintan, 29.9.2011)

Saptharishi - Chyavana Rishi

Saptharishi - Chyavana Rishi 

Chyavana Rishi was the son of Sage Bhrigu, progenitor of the great lineage of descendants known as the Bhargavas (or Dhusars). The Mahabharata states that Chyavana was powerful enough to oppose the Vajra of Indra. He created the Mada demon to help the Ashvins get their fair share of the sacrificial offerings.

Rishi Chyavana is also known for his rejuvenation, achieved through a special herbal paste known as Chyawanprash. This medication was first prepared for him some 10,000 years ago at his ashram on Dhosi Hill, in the Aravali mountains along the border of Haryana and Rajasthan.

The hermitage of Bhrigu Rishi is also located near Dhosi Hill, in the state of Brahmavarta on the confluence of the sacred Saraswati and Drishadwati rivers. The Padma Purana (Patala Khanda, Ch.8) puts the Rishi's hermitage along the Satpura Range, near the river Payoshni.

Chyavana is mentioned in the Rigveda, which describes him as an aged and feeble person whose youth and strength was restored by the twin Ashvini Kumar brothers, who were the Rajya Vaids or 'State Doctors'. According to a hymn of this text (Rg X.61.1-3), Because he was closer to the Ashvins, Chyavana was apparently opposed to Turvayana, a Paktha king and Indra worshipper of the day.

According to one tradition, Chyavana married Vaivasvata Manu's daughter Arushi and their son was Aurva. According to another tradition, he married Sukanya, daughter of the Vedic king Sharyati and granddaughter of Vaivasvata Manu. They had two sons, Apnavana and Dadhicha. Of course, both could be correct. He is also noted as the father of Harita.

Mahabharata Adi Parva 5-6 narrates that when Bhrigu's wife Puloma was pregnant and lived in her hermitage, a Rakshasa harassed her there. Puloma's child slipped from her womb, a condition producing what in Sanskrit is called a chyut (premature) child. This child was given the name Chyavana. The Rakshasa, seeing the child drop released his mother but immediately converted into ashes.

Penance and rejuvenation

The earliest version of the narrative of Chyavana's practice of austerities and subsequent restoration of youth is found in the Brahmanas. A later version of this narrative is found in the Mahabharata. More later versions are also found in the Bhagavata and Padma Puranas.

The Satapatha Brahmana (IV.1.5.1-13) states that while all the Bhrigus, the descendants of the Angirasas, were away, Chyavana with his senile body was living in his ashram at Dhosi Hill. King Sharyati, the son of Manu once came near the hermitage while hunting with his army. Sharyati's daughter Sukanya along with friends were also with him. She went to Chyavana Rishi's Ashram, where the Rishi was in meditation. White ants had covered his body and only his eyes were visible. Not knowing it was a human, Sukanya pierced the Rishi's eyes. Chyavana was in pain and became furious, and his curse created discord amongst Sharyati's army. When Sharyati found the cause of his misfortune, he offered his daughter Sukanya in marriage to Chayavana, so that she could take care of the Rishi.

Later on, the Ashvins came to Chayavana's ashram and tried to entice Sukanya, who refused to leave her husband. She instead asked the Ashvins to restore Chyavana's youth. Following their advice, Chyavana's youthful health was restored by a combination of three treatments. Certain herbs were put into a pond and the Rishi was asked to have a dip in that pond, known as Chandra Koop. Even today, this theertham is found at Dhosi Hill. One herbal paste was prepared for application on the Rishi's body and another, Chyawanprash, was prepared for the Rishi to take as medicine.

In return for their ministrations, the Ashvins obtained a share in the sacrificial offerings in Kurukshetra, on Sukanya's suggestion. In the Aitareya Brahmana (VIII.21.4), the inauguration of Sharyata by him is compared with Indra's coronation.

In a narrative found in the Anushasana Parva (Ch.52-56) of the Mahabharata, Chayvana exacted many menial offices from king Kushika and his queen for 21 days. Later, he was pleased by their devotion and rewarded them by creating a magical palace of gold and predicting the birth of their grandson Vishvamitra, who would be endued with great energy, and would attain the status of a Brahmana.

Sources: Mahabharata, Padma Purana, Wiki , Sampradaya sun

Saptharishi - Angira Rishi

Saptharishi - Angira Rishi 

Angiras, or Angirā Rishi is a great sage who, along with sage Atharvan, is credited with having formulated ("heard") most of the fourth Veda, the Atharva Veda. He is also mentioned in the other three Vedas. While the lists differ somewhat from text to text (no doubt also from age to age), Angira is often included as one of the Saptarishis, or Seven Great Sages of the first Manvantara. He is also known as one of the ten Manasaputras -- the wish-born sons of Lord Brahma.

The wife of Angiras is Surūpa, and the two bore three sons: Utathya, Samvartana and Brihaspati. Other accounts are found referring to the Rishi's marriages to Smriti, the daughter of Daksha, and also to Shraddha.

The name Angirasas is applied generically to several Puranic individuals and things: a class of Pitris, the ancestors of man, who may be descended from the sage Angiras. In the Rigveda, Agni is also sometimes referred to as Angiras, or as a descendant of Angiras (RV 1.1). Mandala 6 of the Rigvedais attributed to a family of Angirasas.

Agneya (the daughter of Agni and Agnayi) is considered to be the mother of Angiras. In the Rigveda there is a description of Lord Indra, driving out the cows from the cave where they had been imprisoned by the demon Vala, or by multiple demons (the Panis). Indra gifted the cows to the Angirasas (RV 3.31, 10.108, and 8.14).

Birth of Angirasa Maharshi

In order to assist him in the process of Creation, Lord Brahma created his first sons: the Manasaputras and Prajapatis. After some time, by his will (ichha), he gave birth to another son from his budhhi (thus the son is called Manasa putra - a child borne out of divine intellect). This son is Angirasa. Brahma granted him a great divine glow, tejas, which is not a physical glow, but rather a transcendental emanation that can fill the three worlds.

Giving his first instructions to his son Angirasa, Lord Brahma said:

"O Angirasa, you are my third "manasa putra" (the one born out of divine intellect). My creation is multiplying with several worlds and species. Humans and other species are growing in numbers and generations. And welfare of this creation is your purpose. Your mission is to come to me whenever I remember or recall you and fulfill my word from time to time. Whatever I design as your duty for the welfare the creation, you must do. You must now go on a very long and unbroken penance and bequeath its fruit to the welfare of all beings in the creation. You must remain so till I order you again, to take up family life (Grihasta Ashrama)."

Angirasa replied,

"You are the reason for my birth and of all this creation. And therefore, you are my almighty Lord. You create us with infinite and unconditional love. You are all knowing. You are omnipotent. You created me with a purpose in mind. Though you do not need anybody's assistance, you are asking me to do this penance. I shall consider it as your grace and opportunity to serve you. I will obey your every word."

Angira proceeded to perform intense penance. Turning his senses inward and meditating on Para-Brahman, his tejas increased infinitely by his penance. Having attained many divine qualities, powers, and riches, and control over many worlds, Angiras still remained oblivious to material desires, and did not stop his tapas. He thus attained the state of brahmarshi. The great Rishi had visions of many Vedic mantras and brought them to the Earth planet, where he is known as the source of a great number of Vedic hymns and mantras. The whole creation was blessed by the wisdom from his Word.

Picture: In the painting above we see Queen Choladevi, whose husband had been blessed by Laksmi Devi. Choladevi did not recognize the Goddess of Fortune when she arrived at the Queen's mansion in disguise. For her neglect, the Queen was cursed and given the head of a sow. She fled to the sage Angiras, who taught her the secret of a Mahalakshmi vrata, through the potency of which she was able to be restored to her human form.

Source: Inhabitants of the Worlds