Amavasya on 3rd, April 2011 !! Narada Puranam - The Holy River Ganga !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Narada Puranam describes the glory of River Ganga - ' The River of Life'.  The confluence of River Ganga and Yamuna is one of the Holiest among the Theerthas.  Whoever takes a dip on this water attains perpetual Health, Prosperity, Long Life and  washes off one's sins .    Brahma Vaivarta Puranam describes the origin of Ganga from the feet of Sriman Narayana, thus all the deities are fond of this river .  Markandeya Puranam tells - The Yamuna is the daughter of Lord Surya. 

The  mere thought of River Ganga takes away one's  sins and relieved out of  pains in the material life.  The convergent of  river Ganga and Yamuna  known as  ' Prayag'.  It is believed that Lord Brahma performed Yagna on the banks of river Prayag.  Bathing in this Theertha provides abundance of merits and smearing the mud from this river treated as  auspicious.  The confluence of rivers known as 'Prayag', these places have high religious significance and surrounded by  many pilgrim places.

The convergent point of Alakananda and Dhauli Ganga - Vishnu Prayag

The convergent point of  Alakananda and Nandakini  - Nanda Prayag

The convergent point of Alakananda and Pindar river - Karna Prayag

The convergent point of Alakananda and Mandakini - Rudra Prayag

The convergent point of Alakananda and Bhagirathi - Devprayag (River Ganges)

The three things which are  sacred to Lord Vishnu known as  the holy river Ganga, Tulsi and the mere dust from the feet of  His devotee  ( Padha Dhooli).

Ganga's presence can be seen in the holy rivers of Godavari, Kalindi, Saraswathy, Krishna, Kaveri, Revathi, Vahudha, Tungabadhra, Beemarathi, Vetravati, Tamraparni and Shatadru.  The confluence of River Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathy known as 'Triveni Sangam', bathing in this  sacred Theertham takes away one's sins. 

The glaciers are the origin of  the Rivers.  The river Bhagirathi originated from Gaumukh glacier passes through the temple 'Gangotri'.  The sources of  river Alakananda  from the Alakapuri glaciers passes through Badrinath Dham. 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Narada Puranam - Types of Vratas !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Narada Puranam describes types of Vrata and auspicious days.

The Ekadashi vratas falls on the eleventh day of lunar fornight (Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha).  As a part of Ekadashi Vratas, fasting and keeping awake in the night is the usual practice.  Performance of Abisheka on Salagrama and offerings are made to the sacrificial fire while worship of  Lord Vishnu and Sri Mahalakshmi is also a significant part of this Vrata  .  The  invited Brahmin should be served with food and alms.

The Dwadashi Vratas (Shukla Paksha) on the next day of Ekadashi, especially in the month of Pousha and Phalguna brings abundance of merit, more than that of any Yagna.  The Dwadashi Vratas can be observed in every month.

The Pournami Vrata, which can be performed by people belongs to any varnas on Full Moon Day.  This Vrata can be observed in every month by worshipping Lord Vishnu and Sri Mahalakshmi.  Mantras and Puranas are recited and offerings are made to the sacrificial fire in the form of Ghee, Seasum, rice etc.  The invited Brahmins should be fed and given alms.  All Pournami days   are suitable for the observance of vratas, especially in the month of Karthik got special merits.  This is also known as Sri Lakshmi Narayana Vrata and  it is one of most auspicious day to build temples for Lord Vishnu.
 

Observing Vrata at the time of Dwajarohanam in  Vishnu Temple  by persons of any Varna is auspicious.   Usually, Dwajarohanam takes place on Shukla Paksha Eakadashi day in the month of Karthik.  Offerings are made in the form of drvyas in the sacrificial fire. 

All the vratas are  equally capable to bring abundance of merits and washes off ones sin. 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Narada Puranam - King Bhagiratha - Origin of Holy River Ganga !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Narada Puranam describes the Origin of Holy River Ganga on this Earth.

Lord Yama explains to the King Bhagiratha about righteousness, sins and the punishment for ths sins committed in the Hell and the types of Hell.   Finally, Lord Yama discloses the fact that King Bhagiratha's ancestors were suffering from the tortures in  the Hell.  If the Holy River Ganga was brought down from heaven, She would help them liberate from Hell.  Once the Holy River Ganga touches the ashes of his ancestors, they would be freed.  Lord Yama instructed the King that his righteousness would provide success in his endevour.

King Bhagiratha went to the banks of river Godavari (Himalayas - In Matsya Puranam) for performing severe penance.  There was a hermitage of Sage Bhrigu in the middle of the forest.  King Bhagiratha requested Sage Bhrigu who was well versed in Dharma and Sastras,  taught the way to worship Lord Vishnu.  Sage Bhrigu advised him to associate with the righteous people and the King already a man of all the virtues and  his righteousness would bring all the merits by worshipping Lord Vishnu.  The righteousness are: telling truth without contradicting reality, not harming the living beings, understanding and realising presence of God in everything, understanding the very fact of He is Cause and Effect.  King Bhagiratha learned the sastras and dharmas from Sage Bhrigu and went to the Himalayas for performing Tapasya. 

The King chose Nadeshwara, the place where Ganga began her journey for his Tapasya .  For Several years, he performed Tapasya by offering fruits, flowers and leaves to Lord Vishnu.  During these years he consumed only fruits.  Later, he practised Pranayama and continued his Tapasya for sixty thousand years.  As a result, the smoke started to blow out of his nostrils.  The Tapasya in extreme climates of the Himalayas was an herculian task.  The deities were shocked to see the penance of Bhagiratha and prayed to Lord Vishnu.  Lord Vishnu consoled them and informed them that Bhagiratha would not do Tapasya with an evil intention.




Lord Vishnu, who was aware of the King's intention appeared infront of him, though Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are one and the same, He  instructed the King to Pray to Lord Shiva who could provide a boon to bring the holy river Ganga on this Earth.  King Bhagiratha continued his Tapasya for several thousand years.  The most pleased Lord Shiva appeared in front of him and offered him with a boon.  As a result, the Holy river Ganga started to follow the King.  The King Bhagiratha led the Ganga to the hermitage of Sage Kapila where his ancestors' ashes were laid.  With the magical touch of the Holy River Ganga, all his ancestors got liberated from Hell and attained salvation.



(In Matsya Puranam, Lord Brahma instructed King Bhagiratha to pray to Lord Shiva for the boon.)

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Narada Puranam - King Bhagiratha - Consensus of Sins - Origin of Holy River Ganga !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

In Narada Puranam, Lord Yama explains to King Bhagiratha about the sins and consensus of the same.  Some of the sins have no Prayashchitha at all.

Lord Yama continues, The Idol of Lord Vishnu/ Lord Shiva should not be worshipped by women / Shudras.  Even the Brahma Hathya (Killing of a Brahmin) Sin can be got rid through severe penance, but there is no Prayaschitha for the sins of one who hates Brahmins, Who criticises Sacred Vedas, Holy Scriptures and Scholars of the same. 

Once the sinners undergo the punishments in the Hell according to the sins committed, they take rebirth in the Earth once again.  One who commits severe sins like discarding sacred Scriptures and Vedas take re-birth in the Earth in order of  Tree, Worm, Snakes, Animal and finally as a poor brahmin.  Sinners have to spend their 7 lives as Donkeys, 10 lives as Dogs and Pigs, 100 lives of Worms, 100 lives of rats and 12 lives of Snakes.  The sins follow for another 1000 lives as deer and Cow.  The sinner has to continue  the journey of living life of  7 lives as Chandala (Outcasted one), 16 lives of Shudras, 2 lives of Kshatriyas, 2 lives of Vaishyas and at last , born as a poor Brahmin of ill health.

Lord Yama insists the devotion to Lord Vishnu and it derives out of the Gunas (Rajass, Tamass and Swatik) of an individual.   The types of devotees of Lord  are  Adhama - one who worships Lord entirely for material benefit out of unlimited desires, Madhyama - one who worships Lord with an intention to get Fame in all his deeds and  Uthama - The Superior amongst all, one who worships Lord to get rid of illusions (Maya - Mamakaram, Ahangaram) and attains Salvation.  The third one (Uthama ) is the dearest to Lord.   Such kind of worship is possible only when one attains God-Realisation.  A heartfelt union with God is possible only through the  realisation of Presence of Lord in Everything in the Universe.






Lord Yama concluded with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are same and one should not  differentiate them at any circumstances.






Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Narada Puranam - King Bhagiratha/ The sins / Origin of holy river Ganga !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Varaha Puranam describes the conversation between King Bhagiratha and Lord Yama about Righteousness and Sins.  Lord Yama explains about the sins and Types of Hell.

Lord Yama continues to narrate about the types of Hell a sinner has to undergo after death.  They are Tapana, Valkakumbha, Rourava, Maharourava, Kum-bhipaka, Nirucchavasa, Kalasutra, Pramaradana, Bhishana, Asipatravana, Lalabhakshya, Himothkata, Mrishavastha, Vasakupa, Shvabha-kshya, Mutrapana, Purishahrada, Taptashula, Taptashila, Shalmali-druma, Shonitakupa and Shonitabhojana.

The sinners have to suffer punishments according to the sins they had committed.  Some may eat their own flesh, some may burn their fleshes, throwing weapons and stones on the sinners,etc...  Sinners have to spend in extreme hot conditions or cold, they were fed with molten iron and were hanged upside down.  The worms feed on their body.  The sinners were forced to  lie on the burning coal or hurled down from the mountains.  The sinners are beaten up to death by the servants or Lord Yama and their body was chopped down or bitten by venom snakes.  The scorpion scrawl on the bodies of the sinners, Jackals and lions eat the  meat of the sinners.  The punishments and miseries in the Hell are indescribable  and is terrible to explain each of them in detail.

Lord Yama explains about the types of sins and they are Brahmahathya (killing of a Brahmin), Drinking intoxicated drinks, stealing Jewels and precious things, Criticism of Brahmin, elders, scholars etc..committing  crime, keeping away from promises, Ego, one who explains Sastras and Puranas without any knowledge, One who manipulates things in the field of astrology and medicine, consuming meals offered by a  Shudra, Lying, Jealousy, Pride and association with the people who commit sins. 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Narada Puranam - King Bhagiratha/ Righteousness/ The Origin of Holy River Ganga !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Narada Puranam describes the Origin of Holy river Ganga.

There was a King named Bhagiratha who was righteous, Truthful, Charming and ruled his kingdom wisely for the welfare of the people.  Lord Yama attracted by the righteousness and goodness of the King, paid a visit to his Palace.

King Bhagiratha received Lord Yama with utmost respect and paid obeisance to Him.  The King requested Lord Yama to explain about Righteousness, Sins and what will happen to sinners at the end etc..

Lord Yama narrated about the good deeds which bring merits.  Those who donate (donation includes cattle and land) and give alms to Brahmins, dig Ponds and maintain the same , construction and renovating the temples of Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu -  temples made of gold.  The temples made out of Copper, crystal, stones and bricks are also capable to bring merits. Establishing Gardens and maintaining the same, planting of Basil tree and wearing of basil leaves, Performance of Abhisheka during Krishna Paksha or Shukla Paksha on an auspicious day  to  Lord Vishnu's Idol  or Lord Shiva's Idol with milk or butter, tender coconut water, Sugarcane Juices or the least with pure water brings the merit of Vaikundha Loka and Shiva Loka respectively.  Some of the auspicious days are Panchami, Ashtami, Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Tryodashi, Chathurdashi (Shukla Paksha) and during the times of Solar and Lunar eclipses.

Offering food  and Water for a hungry person and quenching his thirst is the most rewarding deed. Treating guests with honour and respect, providing them food and shelter also brings merits.  Donation of Fruits, butter, milk,  curd, sugar-cane, honey, fragrant objects,   Flowers, Gold, jewellery and precious stones and the Donation of Idols of Lord Vishnu (Salagrama) and Lord Shiva (Lingas) are also capable to bring abundance of merits.  Among all of the above - Sharing of Knowledge is treated as highly rewarding.  The righteous people with the constant remembrance of Lord, who have less interest in Food, Sleep and material things attain God-realisation.   They serve Guru, Brahmins and guests with  great respect and associate with the righteous people.

Will be continued.........

Jai Sriman Narayana !!