Hindu Mythology - 19

What is Nandakam ?

Hindu Mythology - 18

Answer:

Lord Vishnu poked out left eye of Shukracharya

Story:
BALI, the grandson of Prahlada was a very valorous and mighty asura. By his penance and might, he conquered the whole world. Indra and other gods fearing that he and asuras would conquer all the three worlds, went to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu was then born as a dwarf Vamana in the household of a brahmana(priest). He went  to Bali on growing up and asked for alms. Bali was delighted to offer him anything he requested even though his guru Shukracharya warned him that it was Lord Vishnu.

Shukracharya, annoyed with the pride of the king, shrinks himself with his powers and sits in the spout of the Kamandalu, from which water has to be poured to seal the promise to the deity in disguise. Lord Vishnu, in disguise of the dwarf, understands immediately, and picks a straw from the ground and directs it up the spout, poking out the left eye of Shukracharaya. Since this day on, the guru of the asuras has been known to be half blind.

Hindu Mythology - 17

How did Sukracharya – guru of asuras become half blind

Hindu Mythology-14

Answer:

Asura – Rahukethu

Story:

Lord Indra, the King of Devatas, while riding on an elephant, came across a sage named Durvasa who offered him a special garland. Lord Indra accepted the garland and placed it on the trunk of the elephant. The elephant was irritated by the smell and it threw the garland on the floor. This enraged the sage as the garland was a dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was to be treated as prasada. Durvasa Muni cursed Lord Indra and all devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune. In battles that followed this incident, Devas were defeated and Asuras (demons) led by king Bali gained control of the universe. Devas sought help from God Vishnu Who advised them to treat asuras in a

diplomatic manner. Devas formed an alliance with asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality and to share it among them. However, Lord Vishnu told Devas that He would arrange that they alone obtain the nectar.

The churning of the Ocean of Milk was an elaborate process. Mount Mandarachala, also known as Mount Meru, was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the churning rope. The demons (asuras) demanded to hold the head of the snake, while the demigods (devas), taking advice from Vishnu, agreed to hold its tail. The Samudra Manthan process released a number of things from the Milk Ocean. At last, Dhanvantari - the Divine Physician appeared with a pot of Amrita (nectar of immortality) in his skilful hands. Fierce fighting ensued between devas and asuras for the nectar. 

To protect the nectar from Asuras, the divine Garuda took the

pot, and flew away from the battle-scene. While Garuda was in his flight over planet Earth, it is believed that four drops of nectar fell at four places - Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. This legend is the basis for the belief that these places acquired a certain mystical power and spirituality. However, Rahu, one of the Asuras, eventually got hold of the nectar and started celebrating. Frightened, devas (demigods) appealed to Vishnu, who then took the form of Mohini. As a beautiful and enchanting damsel, Mohini distracted the asuras, took the amrita, and distributed it among the Devas, who drank it. 

Asura RahuKetu , disguised himself as a deva and drank some nectar. Due to their luminous nature, the sun god Surya and the moon god Chandra noticed the switching of sides. They informed Mohini. But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini cut off his head with her divine discus, the Sudarshana Chakra. But as the nectar had gone down his throat he did not die. From that day, his head was called Rahu and body was called ketu who became planets later.

It is believed that this immortal head from time to time swallows the sun, causing eclipses. Then, the sun passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse. The body also turned into Ketu due to a boon, and it in turn swallows the moon on timely basis to cause a lunar eclipse.

Astronomically, the Moon in its orbit, on a northerly course from South to North, crosses the ecliptic (the apparent path of Sun). This point of intersection is known as Rahu or "Dragon's head". 180 degrees away from this point, the Moon on its southerly course crosses the ecliptic. This point is called "the dragon's tail" or Ketu. Thus, Ketu and Rahu denote the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move around the celestial sphere. Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the north and the south lunar nodes. The fact that eclipses occur when the Sun and the Moon are at one of these points is explained in stories as the swallowing of the Sun and the Moon by the demon snake. Thus, Rahu and Ketu do not have physical identity but only

mathematically calculated sensitive points. The Rahu and Ketu points are not stationary in space but have a mean motion of about 19 degrees and 30 minutes in a year.

Hindu Mythology-13

 

Name the asura who disguised himself as deva/sura and drank amrutham/nectar of immortality emerged from ksheera sagara mathanam

 

 

 

Hindu Mythology-12



Answer:

 

 

Asura – Tarakasura

 

Story:

A rakshasa called Tarakasura had become a curse to the world. He had performed tapas in the Pariyata Mountain regions and had secured from Lord Brahma a boon that no god who had been born by then would be able to kill him. He had a clever boon that he could be defeated only by the son of seven days of age to be born of Shiva.

(Taraka knew the Sati episode and thought that Shiva will not remarry).

 

Intoxicated by the boon, Tarakasura repeatedly defeated the gods until heaven was on the verge of collapse. Unable to suffer his harassment the gods approached Lord Brahma. Brahma told them, None of the gods of the present can kill Tarakasura. A new god has to be born. Brahma asked the gods to ensure that Parvati (daughter of Himawantha- king of mountains and manorama) who is Sati reincarnate was meditating for Shiva in the

Himalayas, should marry Shiva as only a son of Shiva could kill Tarakasura.

The gods said to themselves, How can we awaken Lord Shiva who is absorbed in

meditation? Who can persuade him to marry Parvathi? Then, Manmatha, the God of Love, offered to help them. He had a bow and arrows made of flowers. His arrow would awaken love in any one whom it hit. He said to the gods, Go to the Himalayas and talk to Parvathi.Persuade her to hover near Shiva. I shall then shoot my floral arrow, and make him fall in love with her. The gods liked the plan. But they were also worried, thinking What if Shiva is angry with Manmatha?But Manmatha said, 'It does not matter even if Shiva is displeased and destroys me. The gods should be free from the threat of Tarakasura.

The gods met Parvathi and explained their plan. They sought her co-operation. She was yearning to marry Shiva and gladly consented. They all came to the region where Shiva had forgotten himself in spiritual pursuit. There was Shiva on a rock, lost in meditation. He looked so grand that none of the gods dared to stand before him. They all hid themselves behind trees. Parvathi stood before him and began to worship him.

Manmatha waited for the right moment and then fixed his arrows of flowers and shot them. The arrows struck Shiva. He became a veritable live volcano in his fury, for his meditation had been disturbed. Manmatha arrows had disturbed Shiva tapas and he opened the eye in his forehead. The gods who were watching from behind trees were terrified. At once they cried out in one voice,Lord, withhold your wrath. Save Manmatha. But already it was too late. Lightning darted from Shiva eye and, as the gods watched aghast, Manmatha was just a heap of ashes. Shiva resumed his tapas.

He did not even throw a glance at Parvathi. The gods were deeply disappointed and in dismay. Parvathi realized that she could win over a god only through sacrifice and tapas.I shall win over Shiva by my devotion, she decided; and she began a most rigorous tapas. Finally Shiva appears before her please with her tapas. The wedding of Shiva and Parvathi was celebrated with great grandeur.

Later a son was born to Shiva and Parvathi. He was given the name Subramanya. The goddesses Krithikadevis were appointed to tend  kumaraswamy. So Kuamara is also known as Karthikeya. He encounters Tarakasura in a blood-chilling duel and kill him and establish peace in heaven.     

 

Hindu Mythology-11

Name the demon who had a boon that no one created by Brahma/that no god who had been born by then would be able to kill him 

Hindu Mythology-10

Answer:

Sage Durvasa / Durvasa maha muni

Story behind:

Rama was having a private conversation with Kaala/Death disguised as an ascetic. Before the conversation began, Kaala gave Rama strict instructions that their dialogue was to remain confidential, and anyone who entered the room and saw or heard them was to be executed. Rama agreed and entrusted Lakshmana with the duty of guarding his door and fulfilling his promise to Death. At the same time Durvasa appears at Rama's doorstep, and seeing Lakshmana guarding the door, demands an audience with Rama. Lakshmana politely asked the sage to wait until Rama had finished his meeting. As he is wellknown for his short temper, the sage grew angry and threatened to curse all of Ayodhya if Lakshmana did not immediately inform Rama of his arrival. Lakshmana, in a dilemma, decided it would be better that he alone die to save all of Ayodhya from falling under Durvasa's curse, and so interrupted Rama's meeting to inform him of the sage's arrival. Rama quickly concluded his meeting with Kaala and received the sage with due courtesy. Durvasa told Rama of his desire to be fed, and Rama fulfilled his guest's request, whereupon the satisfied sage went on his way.

Rama was overcome with sorrow, for he did not want to kill his beloved brother, Lakshmana. he had given his word to Kaala and could not go back on it. He called his advisers to help him resolve this quandary. On Vasishta's advice, he ordered Lakshmana to leave him for good. Thus Lakshmana has to leave royal palace and leave Rama for ever. went to the banks of the river Sarayu, resolved on giving up the world through Yoga. Unseen by anyone, Indra took him to heaven.

Hindu Mythology-9

While Lord Rama converses with Kaala (Time) and asks not to be disturbed, a sage wants to visit him.

 What is name of the sage?

Hindu mythology-8

Answer : 

Lord Rama killed Tataki/Tataka who was born Yakshini using Shabhdavedi

Story behind:

Sage Vishwamithra approaches King Dasharatha to seek his help. He says "I have undertaken a great sacrifice. But I have not been able to complete it successfully. Every time I begin the rites, two rakshasas, Maricha and Subahu, pour meat and blood into the fire and defile it. And so my endeavour is fruitless. I am capable of overcoming the two rakshasas by cursing them. But I am bound by the vow of the sacrifice and cannot have recourse to a curse. So I have come to you with a request. Be pleased to send your son, Rama with me. He will kill the rakshasas and enable me to continue the sacrifice. Do not doubt if Rama, who is very young, can kill the rakshasas. He is formidable in strength. He and only he can kill the rakshasas. So send him with me without any hesitation."

Dasharatha was deeply troubled when Vishwamitra made the request.He could not bear to part from Rama. The very thought that he had to send Rama with Vishwamitra, and that, too to kill rakshasas made him shudder.On intervention of royal priest, Vashista, who convinces Dasharatha, he accepts the request. Rama and Lakshmana were told to accompany the sage. The three went on foot. Vishwamitra went on narrating stories so that the lads might not find the journey tedious. He told them the history of every city and town and river and mountain on the way.

During their journey they come across a dense forest. Vishwamithra narrates the story of the forest. "once upon a time there were two big kingdoms here, Malada and Kurusha. A yakshi came here and began to indulge in wild plunder. She was called Tataki. She was the daughter of a yaksha, Sukethu by name and wife of Sunda another yaksha. She is very wicked. She has two sons-Maricha and Subahu. They are very cruel.The region was deserted. Finally it turned into this forest,people say. Tataki is still here. You should kill her. And then you can face her sons, Maricha and Subahu who keep obstructing my sacrifice."

Rama hesitates and asks however wicked Tataki might be, she is a woman. Is it not sinful to kill a woman? Vishwamitra answered, If the wicked, people whoever they may be, do not correct themselves, suffer. Crimes multiply and sufferings too increase. It is a sin to ignore such a state of affairs. He also qoutes examples of Indra killing Manthara and Vishnu killing Khyati for their sins. Rama listened to Vishwamitra words. He was convinced. Besides, his father had instructed him to obey the Maharshi. So he said to himself, My duty is to obey the sage implicitly.He raised his bow and pulled the string once. The forest echoed and re-echoed the sound.

The sound of Rama bow string reached Tataki ears, too. And she wondered. She was also furious. ‘Who dares provoke me? she roared and raced to where Rama was. Rama saw her monstrous form, the body of a rakshasi. He was not in the least frightened. Tataki advanced towards Rama roaring like thunder. She raised blinding dust around him, rained stones on him. Rama took his bow in his hand. He halted the stones with his arrows. He then approached her. He cut off her arms. Lakshmana cut off her ears and nose. Tataki then began to use her magical powers. She hid herself behind a tree and began to send forth a variety of arrows. Rama overcame all of them. But there seemed to be no end to the battle at all.

Vishwamitra then said,Rama, the sun is setting. With darkness rakshasas grow stronger. It will then be very difficult to kill them. So, kill Tataki at once. Using the shabhdavedi Rama discovered where she was and shot an arrow.Shabhdavedi is shooting an arrow at an invisible object, merely following the sound. Rama arrow pierced Tataki chest and it burst. She fell down with a terrifying cry.
 

 

Hindu Mythology-7

Name the yakshini whom Lord Rama killed using __________ weapon.

Hindu Mythology-6

Answer: "Aswathama Hatha".... Kunjara

Story behind:

After the fall of Bheeshma, Drona was leading kauravas. Drona spread fear and destruction in the Pandava army by his relentless attacks. "O Arjuna," said Krishna, "there is none that can defeat this Drona, fighting according to the strict rules of war. We cannot cope with him unless dharma is discarded. We have no other way open. There is but one thing that will make him desist from fighting. If he hears that Aswatthama is dead, Drona will lose all interest in life and throw down his weapons. Someone must therefore tell Drona that Aswatthama has been slain." Arjuna shrank in horror at the proposal, as he could not bring himself to tell a lie. Those who were nearby with him also rejected the idea, for no one was minded to be a party to deceit. Yudhishthira stood for a while reflecting deeply. "I shall bear the burden of this sin," he said. Bhima then kills an elephant named Aswatthama and goes to Drona and declares "I have killed Aswatthama" feeling ashamed. Drona heard these words as he was in the act of discharging a Brahmastra. "Yudhishthira, is it true my son has been slain?" Dronacharya asked addressing Dharmaputra. The acharya thought that Yudhishthira would not utter an untruth whatever reason it might be. When Drona asked thus, Krishna was terribly perturbed. "If Yudhishthira fails us now and shrinks from uttering an untruth, we are lost. Drona's Brahmastra is of unquenchable potency and the Pandavas will be destroyed," he said. And Yudhishthira himself stood trembling in horror of what he was about to do, but within him also was the desire to win. "Let it be my sin," he said to himself and hardened his heart, and said aloud: "Yes, it is true that Aswatthama has been killed." But, as he was saying it, he felt again the disgrace of it and added in a low and tremulous voice, "Aswatthama, the elephant" words which were however drowned in the din and were not heard by Drona. He says "Aswatthama hatah - kunjarah" kunjarah in very low voice which didnt reach drona. Listening this Drona threw his weapons away and sat down in yoga on the floor of his chariot. At the same moment Dhrishtadyumna beheads Dronacharya.

In my opinion hiding the truth knowingly to decieve some one is equal to lie. So I think he did lie though the words uttered are not. When the words of untruth came out of Yudhishthira's mouth, the wheels of his chariot, which until then always stood and moved four inches above the ground and never touched it at once came down and touched the earth. Yudhishthira, who till then had stood apart from the world so full of untruth, suddenly became of the earth, earthy. He was compared to lord Shiva who swallowed poison to save the world and Lord Rama who had to kill Vali to save his friend disregarding the rules of fairplay.

Hindu Mythology-5

Today's question:

What was the only lie spoken by Yudishtir / Dharmaraju?

Hindu Mythology-4

Answer: The person is "Srutayudha".

The story behind:

Parnasa, mother of Srutayudha went through penances that pleased Varuna and obtained from that god a boon that her son Srutayudha may not be killed by any enemy. God Varuna gave a mace to her saying "I shall give your son a divine weapon. Let him use it in all his battles. No enemy will be able to defeat him or kill him. But he should not use the weapon against one who does not fight. If he does, the weapon will recoil and kill him." In kurukshetra, Srutayudha fought on behalf of kauravas. When fighting Arjuna, disregarding the injunction,he hurled the mace at Krishna who was not fighting but was only driving Arjuna's chariot. Hence the missile hit Krishna's chest and immediately rebounded fiercely back to Srutayudha which killed him.