Vamana Puranam - Goddess Uma's Thirukalyanam !! Part I !!

Jai Sriman Narayana!!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Vamana Puranam describes the birth of Goddess Uma / Sri Parvathy and the celestial wedding of the divine couple.

Menaka gave birth to three beautiful girls named Ragini, Kutila and Kali and a boy Sunam.  The elder daughter Ragini was stunningly beautiful with red complexioned and red eyed.  The Second daughter Kutila was exceptionally beautifull with fair complexion and lotus eye.  The third daughter Kali was equally beautiful like her elder sisters, she was dark in complexion and her eyes were blue colored like lotus petals.

At the age of six the three girls were went for severe penance to attain Lord Shiva as their husband.  All the deities were captivated at the beauty of the three girls.   Kutila was grabbed the attention of   Lord Aditya and Ashta Vasukal, right away they took her to Sathya Loka.  They enquired Lord Brahma with utmost reverence whether Kutila was capable to give birth to a child who could kill the demon Mahishasura.  Lord Brahma’s answer was deeply disappointing that Kutila was not competent to receive the brilliant energies from Lord Shiva.   So Lord Aditya and Ashta Vasukkal decided to release her from Sathya Loka.  

The most disappointed Kutila challenged Lord Brahma that she would try all her means to get her wishes fulfilled and to have a child from Lord Shiva.   Lord Brahma cursed Kutila at her arrogance and she was malformed into a river.  She flooded the Brahma Loka with her strong current.   Shortly Lord Brahma brought her under control.    Unfortunately, Ragini the elder daughter of Menaka also had the same fate.  Lord Brahma cursed her to become Sandhya - Time at Sun set.

 

After seeing the ill fate of the two girls - Ragini and Kutila, their mother - Menaka discouraged Kali from her penance.  While Menaka tried to put her off   from the penance, Kali uttered ’U’ and ‘MA’.   Thus Kali has got her name 'Uma'.   She continued her severe penance.  The deities were informed Goddess Uma’s severe austerities to Lord Brahma.  Lord Brahma instructed the deities to bring her to Sathya Loka.  When the deities approached Goddess Uma, the brilliant rays emitted from her was unbearable to reach her.  The deities withdrew from their effort and they returned to Sathya Loka unsuccessful.  Lord Brahma was realized the fact that she was the only one capable to have Lord Shiva as her husband.

After completing several years of severe austerities Goddess Uma returned to her father - Himavan to Mount Himalayas.  In the mean time, Lord Shiva arrived at Mount Himalaya to perform severe penance.  Himavan was extremely happy at the arrival of Lord Shiva and made all the arrangements to receive the Lords of Lord.  While Lord Shiva was fully engrossed in Meditation, Goddess Uma arrived at the place.  Lord Shiva could realize the fact instantaneously that Sati was already re-incarnated as Goddess Uma and it brought inestimable joy in Him.  Soon Lord Shiva went into deep meditation.  Uma came forward gracefully and touched His feet as a part of paying obeisance.  Lord Shiva at once disappeared with an intention to test the devotion of Goddess Uma.

Uma sought permission from her parents to perform severe austerities in order to attain Lord Shiva as her husband.  She created an Earthen Idol of Lord Shiva and continued performing penance for several years.  She worshipped Lord with utmost devotion and dedication.  The most pleased Lord appeared disguised in the form of an ascetic and appeared before Goddess Uma.  The holy man cunningly shot a question that why she wanted to go through all these severe austerities in that way spoiling her enthralling beauty at this tender age.  Her companion revealed the truth that Goddess Uma was undergoing severe penance at the hills of Himalayas to attain Lord Shiva as her husband.   At this, the holy man started laughing scornfully.  He continued his abrasive laugh; he strongly criticized Lord Shiva and his way of living.   Goddess Uma was extremely unhappy at the remark of ascetic and started to leave the place immediately.   The most pleased Lord appeared in his charming form and asked Goddess Uma to leave the Hills instantly.  He promised her that he would marry her with all the respect and honor.    Lord Shiva pronounced that the Earthen Idol she was worshipped all through the years with utmost devotion will be known to the world as Bhadreshwar .

Goddess Uma returned home at the divine instruction of Lord Shiva and he resume his journey to Pitrudak Theertham.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Gita Jayanthi Celebration Continues...!! Chapter Fifteen & Sixteen !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!


Om Namo Bagavathey Vasudevaya !!

In Fifteenth Chapter - Purushothama Yoga: - In this Chapter Lord Krishna reveals the Truth of the Existence of all living and non-living beings in this Universe.  A simple phenomenon of how the Tree originated from its roots and stands high on its stem with branches spreaded all over and beautifully carrying flowers and fruits on it.  The root of the mysterious Tree mentioned here is the 'Paramathma'. One who attains realisation knows the truth of the 'Samsara' (material world) is nothing but an illusion (Maya),  one who doesn't know  the 'Truth'    are trapped into 'Maya' of  the material world of Samsara.  The enlightened one knows to  repossess from attachment and passion.  The Supreme Lord of Veda is Imperishable and exists in the individual soul.

The continuous rememberance of Lord with utmost devotion and Love brings Self - Realisation.  The eternal goal of salvation is possible only by keeping away from desire.  It is the root cause of all the evils, pride, illusion and pleasure  which leads to pain from attachments.  He who is seated in the heart of everyone, Sanyasins and Yogis realises the Truth.  The unintelligent and imperceptive doest not realize the existence of Him.  He is Vedam and He is Vedanta. 

The Sixteenth Chapter - Daivasura Sambath vibhaga Yoga: -   In this chapter the most compassionate Lord Krishna explains how to attain Salvation.    He describes the Virtue and non-Virtues.  The Supreme Lord describes the way to attain liberation from the cycles of Birth and Death and the realisation of God.  Thereby, achieving the highest goal in the spiritual life of happiness and peace.  The divine act leads to liberation and the opposite leads to world of attachments.  Purity  of mind and heart, Truthfulness, devotion to Lord and good conducts are part of divine acts.    One who deviates from the divine act and leads a life of two-legged beast thrust themselves into darkness.  These kind of acts make one's life miserable and others too.  Caught in the middle of sensual pleasures and pain, one degrades life with countless desires, pride, egoism, arrogance bringing awful fate.  A Wise person always chooses the divine way to achieve God-realisation  thereby spiritual upliftment.

The Virtues are Fearlessness, Honesty, Perform Sacrifices, Giving alms, Attainment of Knowledge, Purity of mind and heart, Control over the sense, Austerity, Truthfulness, Straightforwardness, Absence from Anger and Crookedness, Honesty, modesty, gentleness, kindness, harmlessness, Absence of proud, jealousy and forgivness are the divine nature. 

The  resemblance of demon natures are Anger, Jealous, Pride, Lust, Endless desires, Wickedness, Untruthfulness, Crookedness, Ignorance, Arrogance and double standards which can provide only Grief and leads to fall again and again in this material world of bondage other than nothing else.

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Gita Jayanthi Celebration Continues.. !! Chapter Thirteen & Fourteen !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Om Namo Bagavathey Vasudevaya !!

Om Namo Narayanaya !!

In Thirteenth Chapter - Kshetrakshetrajya Vibhaga  Yoga: - Arjuna shows his curiosity to learn about Prakriti (The Nature) and the Atman (Soul).  The most compassionate Lord Krishna explains, the body is the source of Five Elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether,  'Panchendriyas' (Nose, Eyes, Tongue, Ears, Skin) and 'Karmedhriyas' known as (Legs, Hands, Mouth, reproductive Organs and Anus).  God-Realisation  is possible only through Self, Meditation, Jyana Yoga and Karma Yoga.  The body undergoes tremendous changes.  The Supreme Lord is Birthless, Deathless and Changeless.  Everything begins from Him and dissolves in Him.

In Fourteenth Chapter - Gunathraya Vibhaga Yoga: -   In this chapter Lord Krishna explains about the three Gunas - Swatik, Rajass and Tamass present in all human beings.  The level of Gunas predominant in the individual depends on the practises and effort they undertake.  The three cosmic nature remaining in all the human beings is the ultimate truth.  Swatik Guna leads to acquiring knowledge thereby bringing ultimate happiness, peace and wisdom.  The Rajoguna brings grief , attachments towards material things, desires and lack of peace of mind.  The Tamoguna brings ignorance, laziness and delusion.  The fruit of good actions of Swatik nature brings purity.  The fruit of Rajassik actions brings only grief nothing else.  Tamassik guna is the worst among all.  The prevelance of Gunas are responsible for every action.  The aspirant who has  consistent faith and devotion towards Lord, crosses the level above all three Gunas of  Swatik, Rajass and Tamass.  Thus, they realize 'Brahmam'  as the eternal and absolute 'Bliss'.




Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Gita Jayanthi Celebration - Chapter Eleven & Twelve !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!


Om Namo Bagavathey Vasudevaya !!

The Eleventh Chapter - Vishwaroopa Dharshana Yoga: - Arjuna regains the  reality out of his Illusion by the compassionate speeach about the Glory of Krishna.  Arjuna requests Krishna to show His Divine Form (Vishwaroopa Dharshan).  Krishna describes that His forms are countless, different in kinds, colours and shape.  Krishna reveals the Truth that the whole Universe and its living and non-living beings are centered in His body.  It is possible to visualise only with  the divine eyes. The inner eye of perpetual devotion and dedication is only possible to visualise them.

Sanjaya who is the narrator to Dhrutharashtra explains The Supreme Lord - Hari revealed his Majestic Divine Form.  The Vishwaroopa of Lord Hari - with numerous Faces,  Ornaments,  Weapons - The Embodiement of Beauty was the result of thousands of  blazing Adithyas which appeared in the sky.  Arjuna could visualize the entire Universe with its divisions in Krishna's body.  After seeing the Cosmic Form of Lord Hari with Conch, Disc, Mace, Shargam, Arjuna praised the Glory of the Lord.  The Rudras, Adithyas, Manus, Vasus, Sandhya, Vishwadeva, Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Ashwin Devathas, Maruthganas, Rishis and Sages all assembled to view the Cosmic Form of Lord Hari with astonishment.  After seeing the Gigantic Cosmic form, Arjuna was terrified to see all the Warriors of the Opposite Army of Kauravas rushing into the giant mouth of Lord Hari.  Arjuna fully regained the sense and requested Lord Krishna to turn back into His normal Form.  Arjuna understood the True Fact that Krishna is the Cause and Effect, he is just an instrument in the hands of Lord Hari.

Sanjaya explains to Dhrutharashtra that Arjuna prostrated  Krishna  and with a trembling voice approached Krishna.  The Supreme Lord with infinite forms is Imperishable and He is the proper object to worship with devotion and love.  Arjuna apologizes to Krishna for whatever he had uttered due to love and carelessness.

The Twelvth Chapter - Bakthi Yoga: - This chapter emphasises the practice of Bakthi - Devotion to Lord is much easier than acquiring and searching knowledge.  The aspirants who strive for Moksha - Salvation worships Lord in His Cosmic form.  The worshipper loves Him, adores Him, sings and chants glory of Him and remembers Him.  Thus they attain union with the Lord and visualise Godliness in all the existence.  In acquiring knowledge, worshipping the Lord and meditating on the  Formless 'Brahmam'  is very difficult to bring into practice by abandoning the attachment to body and dispassionate to material things.

Krishna explains to Arjuna the Practice of Bakthi - devotion by bringing utmost concentration to Lord, though it often shows the tendency to wander.  One should dedicate all the actions and the fruits of action to Lord.  One who surrenders to Lord with full faith and devotion is never left by Him. 

A true devotee never has attachment towards anything and never has any aversion.  He possesses a balanced mind at all circumstances.  He never gets agitated by the things happening around, nor causes any agitation to others.  He is desireless and expresses the joy of Lord within him.  He is unaffected by pain, grief, joy and honour.  He is already surrendered to Lord within him and rejoices the peace within him.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Arudra Dharshanam/Thiruvathirai !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !! 

 

Arudra Dharisanam commemorates the Cosmic Dance of Lord Nataraja, will be celebrated  in the month of Margashirsha (Margazhi) also known as 'Thiruvathirai' festival.  Arudra is the Birth Star of Lord Shiva , who is the King of Dancers/ Lord Nataraja.

 

 

Thiruvoodal Festival of Thiruvanammalai memorializes the 'oodal' (Argument) between Lord Arunachaleshwara - Annamalaiyar and His consort Sri Unnamulai Ammayar in front of Sundaramurthy Nayanar.  The place where the incident took place is known as 'Thiruvoodal Street' where the annual celebration usually takes place.  At the end of the argument, Unnamulai Ammayar stepped into the Sanctum Sanctorum without Lord Arunachala - Annamalaiyar.  Lord Shiva circumambulated the Hills of Arunachaleshwara and met the Sage Bringi and Lord Shiva blessed him with Salvation. 

 

 

 

 

Aurudra Dharshanam in Chidambaram - Sri Nataraja Temple also celebrates in a grand manner.

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!