Mar
14
MALLIKARJUN JYOTRILINGA
It is situated on Shri Shaila Mountain by the banks of the Patal Ganga, Krishna River in the southern stateof Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Kailash of the South, Mallikarjuna constitutes one of the Dwaadash Jyotirlingamshrines of Shiva and is one of the greatest Shaivaite shrines in India.The presiding deities of Mallikarjuna Temple are Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Devi). Every year there is a fair organized on account of Mahashivratri.
LEGEND OF MALLIKARJUN JYOTIRLINGA
According to Shiva Purana, when Lord Ganesh was married of before his Kartikeya, and because of this brother Kartikeya became angry. Despite being stopped and consoled by his parents Shiv-Parvati, Kartikeya went away to the Kraunch Mountain. Even the Gods went and tried consoling Kartikeya but all their efforts were in vain. Because of this incident Shiv-Parvati were very sad and both decided that they would themselves go to Kraunch Mountain. However,when Kartikeya came to know that his parents have arrived, he went away. Eventually Lord Shiva assumed the form ofJyotirlinga and resided on that mountain by the name of Mallikarjuna. Mallika means Parvati, while Arjuna is another name of Shiva. In this way both Shiva and Parvati came to reside in this linga. It is said that by merely seeing the tip of mountain one is emancipated from all his sins and worries. The person becomes free from the vicious cycle of life and death.
ARCHITECTURE OF MALLIKARJUN TEMPLE
The architecture of the ancient Mallikarjun Temple is very beautiful and intricate. The temple has fort like walls, towersand a rich endowment of sculptural work.The huge temple is built in the Dravidian style with lofty towers andsprawling courtyards and is considered to be one of the finest specimens of Vijayanagar architecture.Temple ofTripurantakam, Siddavatam, Alampura and Umamaheswaram located in the vicinity of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlina areconsidered to be the four gateways to Sri Sailam.
BHRAMARAMBA SHRINE
Mallikarjun Temple is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Jagdamba who is known as Bhramarambahere. The Bhramaramba shrine is considered to be of great significance. Legend has it that Durga is said to have assumed the shape of a bee and worshipped Shiva here, and chose this place as her abode.
Mar
14
DWADASH JYOTIRLINGAS
Lord Shiva is one of the most popular worshipped Gods in Hindu Religion the Jyotirlinga of Bhagwan Shankar havegreat aura and presence. Out of these 12 Jyotirlinga in India – 5(4) are in Maharashtra, 1(2) in Gujarat, 1 in TamilNadu, 1 in Uttaranchal , 1 in Uttar Pradesh, 1 in Andhra Pradesh and 2 in Madhya Pradesh. There is controversy about Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. Some believe that it is situated near Dwaraka in Gujarat while others believe that it is inMaharashtra. The twelve temples attract millions of Hindu devotees and the most important common festival observedin these temples is the Maha Shivaratri.
JYOTIRLINGAM means ‘the linga of light’ or the source of light.The Shiva-lingamis in the symbolic form of a stone tinctured with a cycle of light.There are numerous legends associated with the originof Jyotirlinga. It is believed that Lord Shiva for the first time appeared in the form of Jyotirlinga. The Jyotirlinga is an attempt by humans to give a form to the formless source of supreme energy.
SOMNATH is situated at Somnath Patan (the south coast of Saurashtra), near Veraval in (Prabhas Kshetra) Junagadhdistrict in Gujarat. Somnath is considered to be the first of the Dwaadash Jyotirlingas of Shiva and is a revered pilgrimage center in India.
LEGEND OF SOMNATH TEMPLE
Skanda Purana, in a chapter on Prabhasa Khanda, describes the emergence of this Jyotirlinga. Legend goes that themoon was married to the 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. Amongst all his wives, he had special love towards Rohiniand neglected the others. Seeing the negligence of Chandra towards his other wives Prajapati Daksha cursed Chandrathat he would lose his beauty and radiance. But because of a moon devoid of radiance and beauty the entire worldbecame lifeless. A disturbed Chandra, came down to Prabhasa with Rohini and worshipped the Sparsa Linga ofSomnath after which he was blessed by Shiva to grow and shine in the bright half. As the moon regained his light here,this town came to be known as Prabhasa. Brahma, one of the trinity, installed the Brahmashila, and paved way for theconstruction of the temple. On the request of the Chandrama and other gods Bhagwan Shankar assumed the nameSomchandra (Jyotirlinga) and resided there eternally. He became famous by the name Somnath in the three worlds.Since, it was the Prabhas Kshetra where Bhagwan Shri Krishna performed all his Lilas. In this temple there is a smallcave in which a lamp burns continuously. The Skanda Purana describes the Sparsa Linga of Somnath as one bright as the sun, the size of an egg, lodged underground. The Mahabharata also refers to the Prabhasa Kshetra and the legend of the moon worshipping Shiva.
Mar
14
SATYA NARAYAN VRATA
You are all familiar with narada rashi. he is the triloka sanchari.-the one who moves about in three words. when he once visited the earth plane, there was great misery. he was unable to find a way to relieve human suffering. he at once approached lord narayan and related to him the sad state of affairs on earth. lord narayan said to narada, ‘o venerable rishi, let people observe the satya narayan vrata in the evening of shankranti or purnima. let them all hear the story (katha) of satya narayan. all miseries will come to an end. there is no doubt of this”.
Rishi narada thereupon returned to earth and preached the glory of the satya narayana vrata. many observed the vow without taking any food during the course of the day and attained what they desired. all were happy and prosperous.
The observance of the satya narayan vrata does not cost much. you need only give a small gift to the pundit who comes to read the story and then distribute some prasad which also need to be very costly. some wheat flour arest nd sugar will make up the prasad. a little curd and some fruit are required. even the poorest man can observe this vrata.
In north india the vow is observed by the vast majority of people. it takes about three hours to complete the whole observance. it is generally observed on the full moon day, particularly the kartik, vaisakh, sravan and chaitra purnimas and the shankranti day. it can also be done on new moon days.
They speak about the glory of lord narayana and his grace, his prasad, and of the incalculable benefit derived by observing the vrata. he who hears these stories with faith, devotion and one-pointedness of mind derives considerable benefit.
Mar
14
HANUMAN JAYANTI
“Yatra yatra raghunatha kirtanam,
Tatra tatra kritha masthakanjalim,
Bhaspavaari paripurna lochanam,
Maarutim namata raakshasanthakam”
MEANING : “we bow to maruti, sri hanuman, who stands with his palms folded above his forehead, with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes wherever the names of lord rama are sung”.
Sri hanuman is worshipped all over india- either alone or together with sri rama. Every temple of sri rama has the murti or idol of sri hanuman. Hanuman is the a vatara of lord shiva. He was born of the wind-god and anjani devi.his other names are pavanasuta, marutsuta, pavankumar, bajrangabali and mahavira.
He is the living embodiment of ram-nam. He was an ideal selfless worker, a true karma yogi who worked desirelessly and dynamically. He was a great devotee and an exceptional brahmachari or celibate. He served sri rama with pure love and devotion, withut excepting any fruit in return. He lived to seve sri rama. He was humble, brave and wise. He possessed all the divine virtues. He did what others coul. He do not do- crossing the ocean simply by uttering ram-nam, burning the city of lanka, and bringing the sanjeevini herb and restoring lakshmana to life again. He brought sri rama and lakshmana from the nether world after killing ahiravana.
He had devotion, knowledge, spirit of selfless service, power of celibacy, and desirelessness. He never boasted of his bravery and intelligence.
He said to ravana,” I am a humble messenger of sri rama. I have come here to serve rama, to do his work. By the command of lord rama, I have come here. I am fearless by the grace of lord rama. I am not afraid of death. I welcome it if comes while serving lord rama.
” His birthday falls on chaitra shukla purnima(the march-april full moon day).
On this holy day worship sri hanuman. Fast on this day. Read the hanuman chalisa. Spend the whole day in the japa of ram-nam. Sri hanuman will be highly will be highly pleased and will bless you with success In all your undertakings.
Glory to hanuman!glory to his lord, sri rama!
Mar
14
CHITRA PURNIMA
The twelve month of the hindu year, based on the lunar calendar, are named after that star during whose ascendency te full moon of that month occurs. The full moon day of chaitra month, that is, the purnima during the ascetndency of the chaitra star is particularly sacred to the chitra guptas, the recording angels of the hindu pantheon. A special worship is offered to these celestial representatives of the god of death, and an offering of spiced rice is prepared and later disturbed as pras or holy sacrament. A fire worship is done at the close of the ritualistic worship. By the performance of this religious observance annually, these angles of the other world are greatly pleased and judge man’s actions with more sympathy.
The psychological effect of this worship, done on the very first full moon day of every year (chaitra is the first of the twelve months), is to vividly remind us of the higher power that maintains a constant watch over every aet of ours on this earth-plane. This memory serves as an invisible check on one’s conduct. The conception of the chitra guptas as located within each shoulder is a powerful inducement to keep oneself engaged in constantly doing good actions only.
The term chitra gupta means “hidden picture”. A true picture of all our good and evil actions is preserved in the ethereal records. The hindu personifies it for the sake of worship.
The hindu scriptures prescribe elaborate worship of the chitra guptas on this day. The deity is invoked in an image or a kalasa (vessel filled with water) and then worshipped with all the rituals and formalities of the worship offered to god’s image. Meditateon chitra gupta’s , reciting the following verse:
“Chitra guptam mahaa praajnam lekhaneepatra dhaarinam;
Chitra-ratnaambara-dhaararn madhyastham sarvadehinaam;”
Then offer ritualistic worship withincenes, camphor, flowers, etc. feed some Brahmins, the poor and the needy. Give bountifully in charity and receive the lord’s blessings.
Mar
14
DURGA PUJA OR NAVRATRI
Durga, who sxists in all beings in the form of intelligence, mercy, beauty, who is the consort of lord shiva, who creates, sustains and destroys the universe.
This festival is observed twice a year,once in the month of chaitra and then in aswayuja. It lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestation of durga. During Navratri ( the word literally means “nine nights”)devotees of durga observe a fast. Brahmins are fed and prayers are offered for the protection of health and property.
The beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the divine mother. They are indicated respectively by the rama-navaratri in chaitra (april-may) and the durga navaratri in aswayuja(September-october). The bodies and minds of people undergo a considerable change on account of the changes in nature. Sri rama is worshipped during ramnavmi, and mother durga during navaratri.
The durga puja is celebrated in various parts of india in different styles. But the one basic aim of this celebration is tto propitiate shakti, the goddess in her aspect as power, to bestow upon man all wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, knowledge (both sacred and secular), and all other potent powers. Whatever be the particular or special request that everyone may put before the goddess, whatever boon may be asked of her, the one thing behind all these in propitiation, worship and linking oneself with her. There is no other aim. This is being effected consciously or unconsciously. Everyone is blessed with her loving mercy and is protected by her.
Mar
14
MEDITATION ON LORD GANESHA
“Gajaananam bhootaganaadisevitam Kapittha jamboophala saara bhakshitam;
Umaasutam shoka vinaasha kaaranam Namaami vighneshwara paada pankajam.”
MEANING: I worship the lotus feet of ganesha, the son of uma, the destroyer of all sorrows, who is served by the host of goods and elementals, and who takes the essence of the kapittha-jarnbu fruit (fruit resembling the bilwa fruit).
Mar
14
MEDITATION ON LORD DATTRATREYA
“Maalaakamandalu dharah karapadmayugme Madhyastha paaniyugale damarutrishoolam,
Adhyastha urdhva karayoh shubha shankhachakre Vande tamatrivaradam bhujashatkayutam.”
MEANING: I meditate on lord dhattatreya, the son of arti, who has six hands , who holds the rosary and water-vessel in two hands, with damaru and spear in the other two hands, and with conch shell and discuss in the upper two hands.
Mar
14
MEDITATION ON LORD SHIVA
“Shaantam padmaasanastham shashadharamakutam panchavaktram trinetram,
Shoolam vajram cha khadgam parashumabhayadam dakshinaange vahantam;
Naagam paasham cha ghantaam damaruka sahitam chaankusham vaamabhaage,
Naanaalankaara deeptam sphatika maninibham paarvateesham namaami.”
MEANING: I prostrate myself before the five- faced lord of parvati, who is adorned with various ornaments, who shines like the crystal jewel, who is seated peacefully in the lotus pose, with moon- crested crown, with three eyes, wearing trident, thunderbolt, sword and axe on the right side, who holds the serpent, noose, bell, damaru and spear on the left side, and who gives protection from all fear to his devotees.
Mar
14
SHANKARA JAYANTHI
“Guru charanam,
bhaja charanam,
Satguru charanam,
bhava haranam.
Maanasa bhajare,
guru charanam,
Dustara bhava saagara taranam.
Guru maharaaj guru jaya jaya,
Para brahma satguru jaya jaya ”
Religion is realization: it is not mere learning- this is the divine message which stands deeply in the minds of every hindu. This is not a mere fancy. This is not a mental conception. This is not a stretch of imagination. It is not a coinage of the brain. Nor is it a decision intellectual prodigy.
This is the assertion of shankara, india’s greatest philosopher-saint, the incarnation of lord shiva, reverently known as srimath adi shankaracharya.
Shankara is our Vedanta guru. He was god incarnate. He was born at a time when Indian thought and culture were decaying, when they underwent sore distraction, when ethical glory and the widespread influence of the buddhistic cult was gradually dying, when there was complete chaos and confusion, when innumerable sects sprang up and, with their own individual doctrines, confounded the masses, when evil social influences and blind superstitions, garbed falsely in the clothes of religion, attracted the credulous masses into a frenzy, and ambused them into complete ignorance of the ultimate reality. There were no less than seventy- two cults and sects of this type which carried away people from the right path.
Shankara appeared on earth to deliver very many struggling souls. He set them free, and enlightened them through his peaceful, unostentatious persuasion and loving propaganda. Though his irresistible logic, he planted the triumphant banner of unique intellectual conquest over all other schools of philosophy. Before him, all other theories proved to be phantoms and fallacies.
It was only shankara who gave the unshakable concrete form to Hinduism and established the unity and purity of enlightened hindu thought and culture. Superstitions and corrupt practice melted away in no time.