PURANIC STORIES

Dear friends

There are eighteen Maha puranas. It is believed that, after

composing the Mahabharata Veda Vyasa composed the
eighteen Maha puranas. These Maha puranas were revealed to
his chief disciple   Loma harshana. From Lomaharshana, the
Puranas passed on the others.

We know many stories told in puranas. But perhaps some of us

may not know   in which purana the story is appearing. Certain
stories appear in many puranas, some times with slight
difference also.

Many stories I have written to the groups are appearing in the

puranas. I am starting a new series about interesting Puranic
stories appearing in MATSYA PURANA.  Matsya purana is told
by Vishnu to Manu.

In these postings THE STORIES WILL BE TOLD VERY BRIEFLY

SINCE THEY ARE ALREADY POSTED EARLIER. I hope this can
be interesting one to many readers. Any suggestions made by
the members to improve this posting will be highly appreciated.

 THE EIGHTEEN PURANAS :WHAT THEY CONTAIN.- FORWARD

 Our old beliefs and culture are the main reasons for whatever
has remained with us on honesty, purity, liberal attitude,
sacrificial nature, chivalry etc.    Truth and good conduct are
our basic nature.  

  "Yadbhootahitamatyantam tatsatyamiti dhaarana".    

To remain peaceful without either hate or attachment and to do

good to every one is dharma.    The basis for dharma is the
Vedas.- 

VedOkhilam Dharmamoolam (Manu 2.1), VedO dharmamoolam

(Goutama dharmasootras (1.1). 

Vedas are also called shruthis (heard).    Vedangas help in

understanding the Vedas.  Shikshaa, Vyakarana, Chandas,
Nirukta, Jyothisha and Kalpa are the six Vedangas.    Vedas are
divided into three groups- Karmakaanda, Upaasanaakaanda
and  Jnaanakaanda. 

Based on the Vedas, several Smrithis have come into existence

to make the  Contents simpler and easy to understand and
follow.    These smrithis are the basis for Dharmasastras,
Mahakaavyaas, Puranas, Agamas or methods of worship etc. 

Smrithis consolidate the rules and regulations necessary to

regulate the society from time to time.    As society grows and
changes, smrithis should also change.  Otherwise, it will be like
forcing a dress stitched for a baby on a grown up man.    That
is how the smrithis written by Manu, Yajnavalkya or Parashara
have become outdated.  (The Indian Constitution is the smrithi
now being followed in our country). 

Puranas and epics contain stories based on history.    However,

major portions of these are because of the creative ability of
the authors/poets.    The main purpose of the puranas is to
create an atmosphere where people realize how God has
helped in  uplifting the humanity.

There are eighteen puranas generally accepted.  They are:- 

Brahma purana
Brahmavaivartha purana
Garuda purana
Linga purana
MaarkanDeya purana, 
Vaamana purana

Varaaha purana, 
 Agnipurana,Bhaagavatha  pura
na, Bhavishya purana,

Brahma purana, Bramaanda purana, 

Brahmavaivartha purana, Garuda purana, Koorma purana,

Linga purana, MaarkanDeya purana, 

Matsya purana, Naaradeeya  purana, Padma purana,

Skaandapurana,Vaamanapurana,Varaaha purana, 

Vaayu purana  and Vishnu purana.

 The Brahmapurana, Brahmaand purana,

Brahma vaivartapurana, Markandeya purana, Bhavishya
purana and Vaamana purana are prominently Rajasika
and dedicated to Brahma. 
Those which are predominantly saatvika (Sattvaguna
pradhaana) are dedicated to Vishnu.  They are: -
Vishnu purana, Bhaagavatha purana, Naaradeeya purana,
Garudapurana, Padmapurana and Varaaha purana.    

The other six are dedicated to Shiva. 

We may now see a gist of the contents of these puranas one by

one. Then we may discuss on the antiquity of the puranas,
their general characteristics, their evolution and growth, the
recurrent topics in them, their ethics etc.  After this, we may
proceed to discuss the upa puranas (which are also 18 in
number). 

AGNIPURANA:    

Agni told this to Vasishta. It contains descriptions of Rama and

Krishna (Ramayana and Mahabharata) in addition to details
about the other avatharas of Vishnu.    

It also gives rules of worship of various deities, installation of

idols in temples, Jyotishya, Architecture,  medicine human
physiology and various other such subjects. 

BHAGAVATHA PURANA:- 

SRIMADBHAGAVATHAis the most well known of the

puranas.    Sage Shuka tells the story of Krishna to king
Pareekshit.     Although it contains stories of the other
avatharas of Vishnu, the emphasis is on the life of Krishna. 

It explains  the cosmic form of God and how the universe is

created; the story of Jaya and Vijaya and how they had to take
three janmas as Hiranyakashipu- Hiranyaaksha etc., the story
of  PrahladaТs devotion, Story of Kapila, Daksha yajna and its
destruction by Rudra, stories of Dhruva, Jadabharatha etc.,
Stories of Gangaavatharana, Tripura samhaara, samudra
mathana etc. 

Krishnaavathaara details are found in the tenth chapter and the

eleventh contains the famous Uddhavageetha.    There is a
vivid description of the present Kaliyuga.
There are a  number of commentaries on this Purana and is
considered the most popular among all the puranas. 

BHAVISHYA PURANA:- 

Some scholars consider the second part of this purana as an

independent purana and call it the Bhavishyottara purana. 

Among the several topics dealt with in this purana mention

could be made of the shodasha samskaaras, rules for the study
of Vedas, Vrathas and kaamya karmas, varnaashrama dharma,
worship of Soorya and snakes, creation of the earth and the
world, etc.  There is a description of the good conduct one
must emulate. 

This purana is considered as a pointer and indication of the

future and so, it is called the Bhavishya purana. 

BRAHMAPURANA:- 

Shrines at holy places like Puri, Konark  and Bhuvaneswar are

described in addition to the portions of Mahabharata, and some
other puranas like Markandeya purana etc.Story of Daksha's
sacrifice, story of Krishna, description of certain avatharas like
Varaha, Nrisimha etc., are the others dealt with in this.It also
deals with creation of the world and description of the sapta
dveepas. 

BRAHMAANDAPURANA:- 

It deals with creation of brahmaanda (cosmic egg) and

description of Bharatavarsha.      The other contents are about
shraadhdhas etc in addition to stories of Bhagiratha,
Parashurama, Dhanvantri etc.    A very important portion of
this purana is the LalithOpaakhyaana in forty chapters which
includes the famous Lalitha sahasranama.     The whole purana
is in four parts. 

BRAHMAVAIVARTA PURANA:- 

Vivarta or appearence is a term used in the advaita

vedanta.    This purana is Krishna centric.  It describes Durga,
Lakshmi, Saraswati etc., as evolved from Moolaprakriti as per
the desire of Krishna.    Shree Krishna janma kaanda describes
the story of Krishna and Radha.    There are stories of
Shanmukha and Ganesha.   

 There are some mundane subjects like Ayurveda, rules for

building construction, bathing in Ganga and its benifits,
greatness of Tulasi, code of conduct of women etc.  

GARUDAPURANA:- 

We all know that this purana is read when some one in the
family passes away.    It is said that this purana was taught by
Vishnu himself to Garuda.    

While the first part deals with stories from the two epics-
Mahabharatha and Ramayana- in addition to certain medicines
and uses of precious stones etc., the second part deals with the
prethakalpa- the journey of Jeeva after death.    

It suggests that moksha or liberation from the cycle of births

and deaths is through devotion to Vishnu. 

KOORMAPURANA:- 

This is believed to have been taught by Vishnu in his

Koormaavathaara to sage Naarada.  It describes the
chaaturvarnas  and how the prakriti evolved as the
world.    Stories of Manu, Daksha, Vaamana, Yaduvamsha,
Kaashi and Prayaaga etc.    It also describes certain
praayaschittas.    It deals with Pralaya also.

LINGAPURANA:-

 The five aspects of Shiva- Sadyojaata, Vaamadeva,

Tatpurusha, Aghora and Eeshaana are described.    The story
of Shiva appearing as a huge pillar of fire to Vishnu and
Brahma is dealt with.    Stories of Dadheechi, Vyasa, Nandi,
Sooryavamsha and chandravamsha kings, Kaashi etc., are the
others. 

 Shiva's eight forms, Shiva panchaakshari mantra and the

meditation of Shiva after establishing shivalinga, the
mruthyunjaya mantra are the other  contents. 
MAARKANDEYA PURANA:-

 This contains the teachings of Markandeya to

Krowshtuki.    The most well known portion of this purana is
the Durgasaptashati or the Devi mahatme.  In addition to the
subjects of manvantaras etc., it deals with the stories of
Harishchandra, Kartaveeryaarjuna etc.   

Karma and its usefulness and some portions of Yoga are also
dealt with.In this purana, instead of shiva and vishnu, other
deities like Indra, Agni, Surya etc are given importance. 

MATSYAPURANA:- 

This is supposed to have been taught by Vishnu in his

Matsyaavathaara. 

Stories of Kacha- Devayaani, Yayathi- Puru, etc., are

described.    Various Vratas, daanas(gifts), holy places and
rivers are also mentioned.    Even mundane subjects like
Building construction are explained. 

 Naarada Purana:-

 This is believed to be the teachings of Naarada to Sanaka and

other rishis.   Religious rites, devotion to God, duties of people
of each varna and Aashrama are detailed.There is a different
version of Lalthaasahasranaama which is not popular.  Fasting
on the eleventh day of each paksha of a month (Ekaadashi)
and its benefits is given importance. 

PADMAPURANA:-

 This deals with a number  of subjects and it is in five

parts.    There are several stories and important rivers and
pilgrimage centres are described.    Several vrathas are found
in this purana.    Several sahasranaamas are also mentioned. 

SKAANDA PURAANA:-

 This purana was originally taught by Shivamahadeva to his

consort Parvathi.    It contains many stories.    
It gives a detailed description of Bhaaratavarsha of those
days.    In addition to the various forms of Shivalingas and the
meditation thereof, the now famous Sathyanarayana vratha is
also described. 

VAAMANAPURAANA:-

 The incarnations of Vishnu- mainly as a Vaamana- is described

in addition to the mention of other deities like Shiva, Ganapati
and Soorya. The doctrine of Karma is explained.An important
portion of this puraana is the story of Gajendra moksha. 

VARAAHA PURAANA:- 

This is supposed to have been given by Vishnu to Bhoodevi in

his Varaaha roopa,    It provides details of the theory of Karma,
Shraadhdhas , Ashoucha etc. An important portion of this
puraana is the Nachiketopaakhyaana which deals with heaven
and hell. 

VAAYU PURAANA.

 Gayaa, the famous place known for shraadhdhas is described

in addition to the details of the shraaddha ceremonies.    The
science of musicology is a part of this puraana.    These are in
addition to the other usual descriptions of several kings and
rishis etc..

 VISHNU PURAANA:-

 In addition to the other usual descriptions of creation, there

are stories of Dhruva, Prahlaada etc.  The Kalidosha is also
dealt with.   

 The stories of Raama and Krishna are also described.    It is

important to note that Vishnu here is not one of the
thrimoorthies, but the origin of all the three- the para
Brahma.    Bhaktimaarga is given utmost importance.

 We should note that the puraanas with their simplicity of

presentation and language have helped in the preservation of
our philosophy and dharma over a long period as they are
easily accessible to the common man.    However, it should be
remembered that wherever there is any ambiguity or conflicts
with the other texts of shrutis and smrithies, what the shruthi
says becomes final and not what the puraanas or smrities say.

Sincerely

Chinu

A retired bank unionist

1. Matsyavatharam story

 We all know about Dasavatharam and Matsyavatharam is the

first one.

Matsyavatharam story in brief is saving earthly beings in a boat

by Vaivaswatha Manu during the big flood and tying the boat to
the horn of fish which was the incarnation of Mahavishnu.
When floods receded procreation could so again started.  This
Vaivaswatha Manu was the son of Sun God and father of
King Ikshvaku. Matsyavatharam happened after millions of
years after earth and its beings are created.

2. Creation of Universe story

 In the beginning only darkness and Brahman (Not Brahma) in

the universe.   The creation story in brief is as follows.

 
When the time of creation came darkness was removed and
Brahman divided itself to three- Brahma, Vishnu and
Maheswara.  

First water appeared. Vishnu slept in water.

A golden egg appeared in the water and Brahma resided in to

it. After many years he split it in to two and came out. This egg
is Hiranya garbahm and very often our sasthrikal refer in his
manthra recitation- “Hiranyana Garbha Garbhastham Hema
beejam Vibhangithae…”

From one side of the egg, the Heaven and from the other side
Earth came up. All the land masses, the oceans, the rivers and
the mountains, had been inside the egg in embryonic form.
Brahma made them manifest.

First the sun was born. Since it appeared first he is called

Aditya.

Brahma’s first act was to meditate. It was while he was

meditating that the Vedas, the Puranas and the other shastras
(sacred texts) emerged from Brahma’s mouth.

Ten sons were born to Brhama from his mental power. They
were the saptharishies Marichi, Atri, Angiraasa, Pulasthia,
Pulaha, Krathu and Vasistha. Other three were Prachetha,
Brighu and Narada.

From his right toe Daksha was born. Dharma was born from his
chest.
 

Brhama created two more beings from his body for

procreation.  Male was called Manu and female was called
Satrupa. Brahma married Shatrupa and the son born to them
was Svayambhuva Manu. 

Svayambhuva Manu after much thapasya got of Tapasic power

a wife Ananti. Ananti had two sons named Priyavrata and
Uttanapada.  They had one daughter Prasuti.  Prasuti later
became the wife of king Daksha.

Prachinavarhi was the son of Uttanapada. Prachinavarahi

married Savarna, the daughter of the ocean, and they had ten
sons. These sons were known as the Prachetas. The ten
Prachetas married a woman named Marisha. That is, all of
them had the same wife.

Daksha was the son of the Prachetas and Marisha. He married

Prasuti daughter of Swayambhumanu and Satrupa.

My note- here a confusion about Saturupa is there. Whether

another Saturupa?

2. Persuading Daksha’s sons not indulging in procreation by

sage Narada

We have the story of Daksha marrying Prasuti and had

thousand sons and Daksha desired them to have procreation.
But Sage Narada persuaded them from it. Daksha cursed
Narada to be a bachelor.

3. Sixty daughters of Daksha

 
We have the story of 60 daughters of born to Daksha. Some of
them were married to sage Kashyapa. Kashyapa’s procreation
with his wife forms the word today.

A few were married to Dharma and few others were married to

other sages.

27 of them were married to Moon god. We know the

favouritism story of Moon God Chandra with Rohini and
Daksha’s warning and later cursing for favouritism and Hence
the increasing and decreasing of Kalas for Moon.

Daksha’s daughter Sati was married to Lord Siva. The details

about these sixty daughters are told in Matsya purana.

4. Birth of Indra, Mitra and varuna

Indra, Mitra and Varuna the nature Gods told In Rig

Veda   were born as sons of sage Kashyapa with his wife Aditi. 

5.  Prahalada and Mahabali

We know the story of Prahalada who was a devotee of Vishnu.

We know about the Narasimha avathara of Lord Vishnu by
which Hiranya Kasipu, father of Prahalada was killed for his
adamancy that Prahalada should say Hiranyaya Nama and not
worshipping Vishnu.

Every body know the story of Mahabali and later becoming king
of Pathala after he was sent down earth in the Vamana
avathara. 
 

Hiranyakshipu was the son of sage Kashya-pa with his wife

Diti. His son was Prahalada and Virochana was born to
Prahalada. Mahabali was the son of Virochana and Vanasura
was the son of Mahabali.

The details of all these persons are told in Matsya purana.

6 How the earth got the name Prithwi?

There was a king by name Pithru who was born from the body
of another king by name Vena churning his body by sages.
Pithru was a very nice king in opposition to Vena who
exhausted every thing and bad in nature.

People were dissatisfied since nothing was there when Pithru

became the KIng. Pithru felt earth is not giving food grains and
decided to fight with earth. Earth pleaded if she is destroyed
every thing will be lost and asked the king to milk her. (Make
use of)

King Pithru did so and the country prospered. From king pithru
the earth got the name Prithvi.

7.  Relation between Lord Yama and Saneeswara

 
Both Lord Yama and Saneeswara are first cousins, father being
Lord Soorya and mothers Samjana and chaya. Lord Yama was
born to mother Samjana.

{My note -Soorya had two sons and a daughter from Samjana.
They were Vaivaswatha manu, Yama and Yami. Yami later
became River Yamuna.

Soorya had two sons and two daughters from Chaya. They
were Savarnani manu,Sani, Thapti and Vishti. Tapthi later
became river}

Samjana  could not bear the heat of Sun God.  She made her
identical figure and named her as Chaya. Samjana left leaving
Chaya with Lord soorya, to join  her father Viswakarma for
some time .  Soorya did not felt much  the difference of
Chaya,  being both identical.  Saneeswara was born to Chaya.

From the above  it is clear Yama is the elder brother of

Saneeswara.

8. How Lord Yama became king .

As the days went on, Chaya started showing partiality to her

children.  So one day not able to see this partiality Yama raised
his feet to kick his step mother Chaya. Chaya cursed his feet
should bear wound which will never get cured.

Lord Sani told his father Sun God  what happened. Sun God
became clear Chaya is different from Samjana. To mitigate the
effects of the   curse, Surya gave Yama a bird which ate up all
the worms. Thereafter,  Yama went to a tirtha named Gokarna
and started to pray to Shiva Later Yama  went to do Tapasya to
Lord Siva.

Shiva granted Yama the boon that he would be the god of

death. He would         mete out punishments to sinners in
accordance with the sins (papa) that         they had committed.
He would also keep account of the store of merit    (punya)
that righteous people accumulated.

9. Birth of Aswini kumars

We know Aswini Kumars are the twins born to Sun God soorya
and his wife Samjana in the form of mare.

Let me brief the story again. After leaving Chaya with Sun God 
Samjana spent some time with father and then took the form
of a mare and started wandering.

On getting the clarification that Chaya was the creation of

Samjana , Sun God located her in the form of mare. He too
adopted the form of a horse and joined her. As horses, they
had   two sons. Since ashva means horse, the sons were
known as the Ashvinis.

They became the physicians of the gods and were also known
as Nasatya   and Dasra. After the Ashvinis were born, Surya
and Samjna gave up their  forms of horses and returned to
their usual forms.

10. How Vishnu got chakra and Lord Siva the trident (Soolam)?
 

Viswa karma came to know of all the details. He shaved of

some portions from the body of Sun God so that Samjana could
bear the heat.  This shaved portion energy was used by Viswa
karma to make Vishnu’s discus (Chakra), Siva’s trident (Soola)
and Indra’s Vajrayudaha.

11. Why we should not visualise Sun’s feet while praying?

After Viswakarma’s shaving of energy made the sun’s visage

much more         pleasant and bearable. The only parts of
Surya’s body that were not thus         modified were his feet.

No one can bear to look at Surya’s feet and it   is forbidden to

visualise the sun-god’s feet when one is praying to him.

6 How the earth got the name Prithwi?

There was a king by name Pithru who was born from the body
of another king by name Vena churning his body by sages.
Pithru was a very nice king in opposition to Vena who
exhausted every thing and bad in nature.

People were dissatisfied since nothing was there when Pithru

became the KIng. Pithru felt earth is not giving food grains and
decided to fight with earth. Earth pleaded if she is destroyed
every thing will be lost and asked the king to milk her. (Make
use of)

 
King Pithru did so and the country prospered. From king pithru
the earth got the name Prithvi.

7.  Relation between Lord Yama and Saneeswara

Both Lord Yama and Saneeswara are first cousins, father being
Lord Soorya and mothers Samjana and chaya. Lord Yama was
born to mother Samjana.

{My note -Soorya had two sons and a daughter from Samjana.
They were Vaivaswatha manu, Yama and Yami. Yami later
became River Yamuna.

Soorya had two sons and two daughters from Chaya. They
were Savarnani manu,Sani, Thapti and Vishti. Tapthi later
became river}

Samjana  could not bear the heat of Sun God.  She made her
identical figure and named her as Chaya. Samjana left leaving
Chaya with Lord soorya, to join  her father Viswakarma for
some time .  Soorya did not felt much  the difference of
Chaya,  being both identical.  Saneeswara was born to Chaya.

From the above  it is clear Yama is the elder brother of

Saneeswara.

8. How Lord Yama became king .

 
As the days went on, Chaya started showing partiality to her
children.  So one day not able to see this partiality Yama raised
his feet to kick his step mother Chaya. Chaya cursed his feet
should bear wound which will never get cured.

Lord Sani told his father Sun God  what happened. Sun God
became clear Chaya is different from Samjana. To mitigate the
effects of the   curse, Surya gave Yama a bird which ate up all
the worms. Thereafter,  Yama went to a tirtha named Gokarna
and started to pray to Shiva Later Yama  went to do Tapasya to
Lord Siva.

Shiva granted Yama the boon that he would be the god of

death. He would         mete out punishments to sinners in
accordance with the sins (papa) that         they had committed.
He would also keep account of the store of merit    (punya)
that righteous people accumulated.

9. Birth of Aswini kumars

We know Aswini Kumars are the twins born to Sun God soorya
and his wife Samjana in the form of mare.

Let me brief the story again. After leaving Chaya with Sun God 
Samjana spent some time with father and then took the form
of a mare and started wandering.

On getting the clarification that Chaya was the creation of

Samjana , Sun God located her in the form of mare. He too
adopted the form of a horse and joined her. As horses, they
had   two sons. Since ashva means horse, the sons were
known as the Ashvinis.
 

They became the physicians of the gods and were also known
as Nasatya   and Dasra. After the Ashvinis were born, Surya
and Samjna gave up their  forms of horses and returned to
their usual forms.

10. How Vishnu got chakra and Lord Siva the trident (Soolam)?

Viswa karma came to know of all the details. He shaved of

some portions from the body of Sun God so that Samjana could
bear the heat.  This shaved portion energy was used by Viswa
karma to make Vishnu’s discus (Chakra), Siva’s trident (Soola)
and Indra’s Vajrayudaha.

11. Why we should not visualise Sun’s feet while praying?

After Viswakarma’s shaving of energy made the sun’s visage

much more         pleasant and bearable. The only parts of
Surya’s body that were not thus         modified were his feet.

No one can bear to look at Surya’s feet and it   is forbidden to

visualise the sun-god’s feet when one is praying to him.

. PURANIC STORIES-3

 
 )

12 Urvashi and Pururava story

I have written many times in my postings about the love affair

between king Pururava and Apsaras Urvasi. King Pururava
could traverse between Devaloka and Earth, on one such
occasion he saved Urvasi from miscreants, which made her fall
in love with Pururava and Indra, granted a married life to her
for some period.

13. Who was  king Pururuva?

Members may recollect, in yesterday posting you would have

read Vaivaswatha manu was the son of Sun God with samjana.
Vaisvasvata Manu’s eldest son was Ila (According to Matsya
purana).

When Vaivasvata Manu became old, he retired to the forest. Ila

was   appointed the ruler in his place. Ila set out on a voyage
of conquest   and travelled throughout the world.

There was a forest named sharavana, frequented by Shiva and

Parvati. Shiva had decreed that any man who entered the
forest would become a  woman. King Ila did not know about
this rule and set foot in the forest  inadvertently and he
immediately got transformed into a woman. He even forgot all
about his earlier life. He started wandering in the forest.

The moon-god, Chandra, has a son named Budha ( Our planet

Budha) . While Ila was wandering around, Budha came upon
there and Budha fell in love with her. The two borne  a son and
he was  named Pururava and Pururava so became ancestor of
the lunar line (Being born to Moon God).

14. Do Ila became male later?

Meanwhile, Ikshvaku and the other brothers of Ila started to

look for Ila.  When they could find no trace of their brother,
they asked the sage Vashishtha if he knew of Ila’s
whereabouts.

Vashishtha used his mental  powers to find out what had

happened. He asked the princes to pray to Lord Shiva and
Parvati. That was the only way to make Ila a man once more.

The prayers pleased Shiva and Parvati  and they found out
what the princes    wants.  Siva said "Ila can never be made a
man once again. At best, we will   alternate Ila between being
a man for one month and a woman for one month."

As a man, Ila  came to known as Sudyumna and had three      

sons named Utkala, Gaya and Haritashva.

15. King Brahmadatta who knew all languages

Brahma dattha is a common name among Nampoothiri

Brahmins of Kerala.  Until I read the matsya purana
translation, I was never knowing  so much is there about
Brhamadattha.  Since I have not posted about Brhama Dattha I
will go a little bit in detail.
 

King Kousika had seven sons. They became the disciples of

sage Garga. Once during famine time Garga ordered them to
graze in the near by hill top grass. Being very hungry they
killed one of the cows after rituals and ate it. They lied to sage
the cow was eaten by tiger.  Because of the sin in the next
birth they became seven hunters with quality of jathis maras. (
Knowing previous birth)

The hunters fasted until death and they were born as seven
deer.  The seven deer too fasted unto death and were born as
seven birds.

During that time king of Panchala by name Vibhraja came to

forest. One of the birds desired to be born as son to King and
other two as sons to ministers of the king.  The remaining four
did not desire any thing and they were born as the sons of a
Brahmin.

THE BIRD BORN AS THE SON OF KING WAS BRAHMADATTHA.

In due course he married a princess Kalyani. This Kalyani was
nothing but the re birth of the cow they had killed earlier while
disciples of sage Garga.

Brahmadattha could understand the language of all creatures

on account of a prayer made   by king Vibhraja. Once he made
a big laugh hearing the conversation between two ants. The
queen not knowing about his capacity could not make it out
and felt he was laughing at her. On that restless night
brahmadatta had a dream of Lord Vishnu that, he will
understand every thing next day morning.

 
The four sons born to Brahmin wanted to do Tapasya. They
told their aged father that he need not worry; king Brahama
dattha will help, just tell him disciples of sage Garga.

The next day the Brahmin approached the king and told
Disciples of sage Garga. King Brahma dattha realised about his
materialistic pursuits. He gave as much wealth as the Brahmin
required and joined his brothers to do meditation. His two sons
born as minister’s sons too joined him.

King Brhama dattha before proceeding declared his son Viswak

sena as heir of the kingdom. Are we referring him in Vishnu
sahasranama?

PURANIC STORIES-5

19 Who was Tarakasura?

Diti performed Tapasya a 2nd time on sage Kashyapa to have a

son who can kill Indra.( The first attempt was spoiled by Indra
in the last phase which gave rise to Maruts)
 

Kashyapa agreed with stipulated conditions again. This time

Diti succeeded and a son was born to them. He was Vajranga.

Vajranka defeated Indra and captured, but released him on

request of all  Devas.. As a gift Brahma created a woman
Varangi and Brahma married her to Vajranga. Vajragna started
penance.

But after some time again Indra started disturbing Varangi

when she was mediating and Vajranga too mediating in water.

Knowing about the atrocities of Indra Vajranga again

performed Tapasya for a son to kill Indra and pleased with his
penance Brahma granted a son to him.

This son born to Vajranga and Varagi was Tharaka.

20 Taraksuara vadham

The story of killing of Tarakasura is told in detail in Matsya

puranam.   

Tharaka performed Tapasya on Brahma and Brahma granted

him boon that he can be killed only by a son of Lord Siva and
Tharaka himself can be invisible too as he desire. He further
laid the condition he can be killed by a son of Lord Siva who is
seven year old.  This too was agreed by Brahma. 

 
At that time Lord Siva was performing Tapas after immolation
of Sati in Daksha yaga.  Taraka started ruling demons as a
good king and later started attacking Deva loka after arranging
good army of demons.

Devas  got getting killed. The invisibility helped Taraka much 

to conquer. The only possibility to defeat Tarakasura was to get
a child for Siva who was mediating.

Detailed description of how Parvathi daughter of Himavan

ultimately got married to Lord Siva is not necessary because
every body know the story.

The seven   great sages went and told Shiva about Parvati’s
tapasya and Shiva agreed to marry Parvati. The marriage took
place amidst a great deal of fanfare. All the rivers and the
mountains came to attend the ceremony.

       

So did the sages, the gods, the gandharvas, the apsaras and
the yakshas.         Brahma himself acted as the priest for the
marriage ceremony.

To Balance the weight of all those assembling in Himalayas,

sage Agasthya was sent to South. Sage Agasthia witnessed the
marriage standing at Chengannur in Kerala, southern part of
India.

Later Parvathi and Siva came there   in person and at that time
she had her monthly period.  Hence the legend behind the
monthly periods of Chengannur Devi . This I have posted in my
series “Believe it or not”
 

The son born to Lord Siva was destined to kill Tarakasura. The
son born was Karhtikeya (After Parvathi became Gowri) and he
killed Tharaka with his own weapons at the age of seven.

21. Who is Koushika? How Parvathi became Gowri?

Initially Parvathi was dark complexioned. Siva once teased her

for the complexion. Parvathi performed tapasya on Brahma.
Brahma appeared before Parvathi pleased on her Tapasya.

From her body a woman appeared called Koushika and her

kosha of black complexion got transferred to the new woman..
Brahma ordered Koushiki to go to Vindhya Mountains. So
Koushiki is also called Vindhya vasini.

Parvathi got named as Gowri after her complexion became fair.

Karthikeya was born after some days Parvathi became Gowri.

I hope the stories told in the posting are interesting. Every

effort is taken for simplicity, depicting chronologically and with
clarity.  Member’s suggestion for further improvement is
welcome.

PURANIC STORIES-6

 
 

22.  The story of reviving Sathayavan from Yama by Savitri

There was a king by name Ashvapati who ruled in the kingdom

of Madra. Ashvapati had no sons. He therefore began to pray
to the goddess     Savitri so that he might have a son. Pleased
with his prayer the Goddess appeared before the king and   
said, " I am going to grant you a daughter instead of son.’

      

 The daughter was named Malati. But since she was born as a
result of a boon received from the goddess Savitri, she was
more popularly known as Savitri.  So Malathi is the original
name of Savithri.

       

When Savitri grew up, she was married to Satyavan, the son of
King Dyumatsena and were living happily

At that time sage Narada came to visit them and he told.

Savithri- your husband    Satyavan is going to die within a
year.

 Hearing the shocking information Savitri and   Satyavan went

off to the forest to prepare themselves for the impending   
death. When only four days of the appointed life span were
left, Savitri observed a religious rite that is now become
famous SAVITRI VRATA. 

On the fourth and final day, Satyavan went to collect fodder;

roots and   fruits in the dense part of the forest and Savitri also
accompanied her   husband. Savitri sat down beside a pond to
rest feeling tired.  Satyavan continued to collect fodder and
firewood near the pond. While   he was thus engaged, he
started to suffer from a severe headache.

      

 "Savitri," he said, "I cannot bear this pain any longer. Let me
rest for a while with my head in your lap."

       

While Satyavan was resting with his head on Savitri’s lap,

Yama arrived   to claim Satyavan.

 IN EACH HUMAN BODY THERE IS AN ENTITY   THAT IS ONLY

THE SIZE OF A FINGER IN LENGTH. THIS IS THE PART OF
THE   BODY THAT IS CLAIMED BY YAMA AND TAKEN TO HIS
ABODE. (It is new information to me)

      

 When this is done, only the dead body is left. Yama tied up
Satyavan’s minute body in a noose and started to his abode.
But Savitri followed him.

      

 "Where do you think you are going?" asked yama.      "I am

following my husband," replied Savitri.

      

 "There is no greater duty for a wife than serving her husband.

Since my husband is leaving, I am following him to live with
him."

       

"I am pleased at your devotion," said Yama. "Ask for a boon

other than Satyavan   be brought back to life."

      
 "My father-in-law has become blind," replied Savitri. "He can
therefore   no longer be the king. Please grant me the boon
that his eyesight is   restored so that he can become the king
again." "I grant you that." Said Yama. "Now please return. You
will unnecessarily get tired if you follow   me."

     

  "How I can get tired if I follow you?" asked Savitri. "You are
the chief   of all the gods. Is it possible to get tired if one
follows you?"

    

   "That pleases me even more," said Yama. "Ask for any

another boon other than Satyavan be brought back to life."

"My father has no sons," replied Savitri. "Please grant me the   

boon that he may have a hundred sons." "I grant you that,"
said Yama.

      

 "Now return. Go and perform your husband’s funeral rites.

Serve your parents and parents-in-law well.. You are
unnecessarily tiring yourself   by following me around."

     

Savithri replied in humbleness  " You are the lord of dharma.

Can one possibly tire oneself by following such a   person?"

       

"Your devotion is truly amazing, Ask for another boon. But do

not ask for Satyavan's’ life."

      

 "Please grant me the boon that Satyavan's and I may have a

hundred sons," requested Savitri.

 
Yama granted the boon without much thinking and Savitri  
then pointed out that what Yama had agreed to would be
impossible if   Satyavan died. Yama had no option but to
restore Satyavan to life. Yama blessed Savitri and went away.

In due course, Satyavan and Savitri had a hundred sons named

that   Malvas. (It is also new information to me)

       

       

PURANIC STORIES-7

 23. Mrita sanjivani episode

I have not detailed this story earlier. Hence I am going in

detail.  The gods and the demons were fighting all the time and
the demons were sometimes worsted in these encounters.
Seeing this condition their guru Shukracharya consoled the
demons.

"I will try and acquire powers that will make you all invincible. I
am going on a long penance. While I am away do not fight with
the gods. Give up arms and lead the life of hermits and calmly
wait till my return." 

We know Shukracharya’s father was the great sage Bhrighu.

The demons were instructed to wait in Bhrighu’s hermitage for
his return by Sukracharya.

23.1 Sukracharya starting penance on Lord Siva.

Sukracharya   began to pray to Shiva. When Shiva appeared,

Shukracharya submitted to him that he wished to be taught a
mantra that would make the demons invincible. 

"I will grant your request," said pleased Shiva. "But you have
to observe a difficult vrata (religious rite). For a thousand years
you  have to meditate. And you will have to live only on
smoke." Shukracharya agreed to observe the vrata. 

23.2 Gods start fight with Demons

The gods understood what Shukracharya was on a long

penance.  They realized that, once Shukracharya returned,
they would be in no position to tackle the demons. They
decided to attack the demons immediately, when they had
given up arms and were living as hermits.

The demons tried to tell the gods that this was not fair. They
should not be attacked when they had forsaken arms. But the
gods would not listen. They started to kill the demons.

23.3 Demons approach wife of sage Bhrighu

Demons approached Shukracharya’s mother, (sage Bhrighu’s

wife), for protection. (The sage Bhrighu was not present at that
time in the hermitage).

"Do not despair," she assured the demons. "I will protect you." 

When the gods attacked, the lady used her powers to make
Indra completely immobile. Indra could not move at all. He
stood there like a statue. The gods started to run away.
 Finally Vishnu came to help Indra. He told Indra to enter his
body, so that Vishnu might be able to save him.

"I will burn both of you up through my powers," said

Shukracharya’s mother.

23.4 Vishnu severe Sukracharya’s mother’s head

  "What are you waiting for?" Indra asked Vishnu. "Can’t you
see that this woman will destroy us both? Kill her at once."

Vishnu summoned up his sudarshana chakra and with this, he

y severed the lady’s head. (I am not able to get her name
immediately)

23.5 Sage Bhrighu curse Lord Vishnu

When sage Bhrighu returned he  found out what had

happened, and he was greatly angered. Lord Vishnu had
committed the crime of killing a woman. Bhrighu cursed Vishnu
that he would have to be born several times on earth on
account of it. These are Vishnu’s avataras (incarnations). 

23.6 Brighu bring back his wife from death

As for his own wife, Bhrighu resurrected her through his

powers.

 (Friends, see the power of sage Bhrighu. A person killed by

Vishnu himself is brought to life)

23.7 Indra sends his daughter Jayanti to lure Sukracharya

Indra had a daughter by name Jayanti. Having failed in his

attempt to kill the demons, Indra reasoned that he ought to try
and disturb Shukracharya’s meditation. He therefore sent
Jayanti to the place where Shukracharya was mediating.
Jayanti was instructed to try and distract the sage.

Jayanti served Shukracharya faithfully throughout the

appointed period of a thousand years. When the vrata was
over, Shiva appeared before Shukracharva and taught him the
art of mritasanjivani. 
23.8 Sukracharya marry Jayanthi

It was then that Shukracharya noticed Jayanti. " I am

exceedingly pleased with what you have done. Tell me what I
can do for you.” Said Sukracharya.

 "If you wish to grant me a boon, marry me and live as my

husband for ten years," replied Jayanti. Shukracharya was
lured away by Jayanti. Sukracharya married her.

23.9 Guru disguise as Sukracharya.

Indra was bent upon ensuring the destruction of the demons

and he hit upon a new plan. He asked Brihaspati to adopt
Shukracharya’s form and go to the demons. The demons were
expecting their guru back after the thousand years were over
and took Brihaspati in disguise as true Shukracharya. They
honoured him and served him faithfully. When the ten years
with Jayanti were over, Shukracharya returned and discovered
Brihaspati was in his form among the demons. 

23.10 Sukra charya curse demons

I am the real Shukracharya. He said  ."Not at all," replied

Brihaspati. "I am the real Shukracharya." The demons were
confused. Brihaspati and Shukracharya were as alike as two
peas in a pod; there was no way of telling the difference. The
demons reasoned that the person who had been living with
them for the last ten years must be their real guru. They
therefore accepted Brihaspati and shooed Shukracharya away. 

Shukracharya cursed the demons that they were bound to be

destroyed. As soon as Shukracharya cursed the demons,
Brihaspati adopted his own form. 

The demons realized that they had been tricked, but the harm
had been done already.

Friends,

 
Sukracharya has never taken any disguised from as
Guru.  Further Sukracharya accepted Kachha son of Guru as
his shishya. Many astrologers based on these incidents uphold
Sukra  one step above Guru.

My note Many astrologers uphold Brihaspathi- Jupiter or Guru

as the best among Navagrahas and best of his qualities . Here I
disagree. He disguised as Sukra. Such an act was never done
by Venus- SUkra.

PURANIC STORIES-8

24 Tripura

There is a Siva sthuthi “ Thripurandhakaraya Nama”. Thripura

means three cities. These three ports were constructed by
Mayan. Just as Vishvakarma was the architect of the gods,
Mayan was the architect of the demons. This had to be
destroyed by Lord Siva when demons started to agitate in
course of time with Gods again leaving their calmness.

24.1 Mayan start Tapasya on Brahma

When the demons were going on getting defeated by the gods,

Mayan started to perform very difficult tapasya on Brahma so
that the gods might be defeated. Mayan’s meditation inspired
two other demons also to meditate along with him. Their
names were Vidyunmali and Taraka.  Finally, Brahma got
pleased at their Tapasya and appeared before them. 
  24.2 Brahma appear before Mayan

" I am pleased with what your Tapasya," said Brahma. "What

boon do you want from me?" 

"We have been defeated by the gods," replied Mayan. "We wish
to build a fort that the gods will not be able to destroy. The fort
will be named Tripura and we will live in it should become
immortal." 

Brahma did not agree to Immortality of fort but agreed for

setting fairly difficult conditions for their destruction. 

Mayan now set the condition. "We should be killed only if Shiva
himself destroys Tripura with a single arrow. Let that be the
appointed method of our deaths."  Brahma granted this boon.

24.3 Mayan construct Tripura

Mayan began the task of constructing the fort. In fact, he built

three (tri) fortresses (pura). One was made of iron; the second
one was made   of silver and the third one he made out of
gold. Normally, the fortresses were three distinct.

But once every thousand years, when the nakshatra Pushya

was in the sky, the three cities came together in the sky and
were called Tripura.

Taraka lived in the fort made of iron, Vidyunmali in the one

make of silver, and Mayan himself lived in the one that was
made of gold. The other demons got to know that three
invincible forts had been built. They came and populated the
three cities. But the demons were not evil at all. They observed
all sorts of religious rites. In particular, they were devoted to
Shiva and prayed to him all the time. They did not want Shiva
to be angry with them. It was, after all, Shiva alone who could
be the instrument for their destruction. 

24.4 Demons start evil ways

After passing of time the demons became intoxicated with their

own power and began evil ways. They warred upon other living
beings and started to oppress the universe. Mayan tried to
persuade them to mend their ways, but the demons would not
listen to Mayan’s good advice. All the living beings in the
universe went to Brahma and requested for help. 

"Please save us from this oppression," They said. Brahma

recollected the boon he gave to Mayan and said. " Let us all
pray to Shiva." 

24.5 Lord Siva appear to Gods

The gods, the sages and the humans started to pray to Shiva.
Pleased with their prayers, Shiva promised to destroy Tripura.
A special chariot was built for Shiva to ride in. Brahma himself
agreed to be the charioteer. The army of the gods got ready to
help Shiva in his war against Tripura.

 24.6 Lord Siva rage war with demons

A terrible war raged between the gods and the demons. Nandi
was one of Shiva’s companions. 

Nandi fought with Vidyunmali and slew the demon after a fierce
battle. But Mayan knew all sorts of magical tricks. He was
especially well versed in the use of herbs. Mayan gave
Vidyunmali a bath in the juice of magical herbs and Vidyunmali
got revived. This act greatly boosted the demons’ morale and
they began to fight with renewed vigour. Any of the demons
got killed, were instantly revived by Mayan.

But when Shiva himself entered the fray, the demons were put
to flight. Even the herbs that resurrected dead demons proved
to be of in effective.

Nandi killed Tarakasura after a fierce duel. The demons were

disheartened, but Mayan reassured them. "Don’t forget the
boon," he said, "There are only some special conditions under
which Tripura can be destroyed. Otherwise it is indestructible.

24.7 Pushya star appear in Sky

Pushya star appeared in the sky now and soon the three cities
came together as one. Seeing Mayan said “ The only person
who can destroy now Tripura is Shiva and he must do it with a
single arrow. All we have to do is ensure that Shiva cannot
shoot the arrow and we are safe." 

24.8 Siva destroy Tripura

 But this was easier said than done. It was no mean task to
repel Shiva and his cohorts. As soon as the three cities came
together, Shiva shot a flaming arrow, which completely burnt
up Tripura and all the demons who were within.

The only one who was saved was Mayan. He did not die
because he was extremely devoted to Shiva. Ever since that
day, Mayan has lived under the water

(CONTINUED FROM PART  8)

 25 The Churning of the Ocean      

All know the story of Palazhi manthan. But I am adding it here

for some interesting new information.

The gods and the demons always fought with one another. In
the process, many demons and gods were killed. This was no
problem for the demons.

       

Their teacher, Shukracharya, knew the art of mritasanjivani

and immediately brought the dead demons back to life. But the
gods who were    killed stay dead.  Deva Guru did not know to
revive them to life.

Further to worsen the situation Indra gave the precious garland

given by sage Durvasa, which was Lakshmi, gave  to  his
elephant Eiravatham and for the bee’s attack on the garland , it
smashed the garland. The only alternate to the situation was
Palazhimanthan to get Lakshmi back.

    
 The gods went to Brahma for his advice. "Having a temporary
truce with the demons," said Brahma. "Unite with them and
churn the ocean. This   churning will make you immortal and
you will have no reason to fear the   demons."

 The gods went to meet Bali, the king of the demons, with
the   proposal and Bali agreed to the temporary truce. ( The
asura king was Bali is new information to me ) 

Preparations were made  for the churning of the ocean. Mount

Mandara was used as the  churning rod for  churning and the
great snake Vasuki agreed to be the churning-rope . 

        Then the  problem came up.  Mount Mandara had no base

to rest on. Without a base, the peak would move and the
churning could not proceed.      

The great Vishnu adopted the form of a huge turtle (kurma).

The back of   the turtle provided the base on which Mount
Mandara could rest. The   churning started. The gods held
Vasuki’s tail and the demons the  head. The churning went on
for  thousand years.

      

25.1 Objects came up during churning

The first object to emerge as a result of the churning was the

moon god  Chandra. (Members may be recollecting Moon god
Chandra  being   described as the sage Atri’s son. But there is a
story  that Chandra was cursed that he would be  immersed in
the ocean. His emergence as a result of the churning was thus
akin.) Shiva accepted Chandra as an adornment for
his   forehead.       

Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, emerged next

and was   united with Vishnu.      
Sura, the goddess of wine and drinking, came out next. Many
may be thinking Asuras took it. But Gods took it. The demons
that were not given sura thus got the name “Asura” 

The divine horse followed sura. Uchchaishrava. This was

appropriated by Indra. (Other accounts of the churning, such
as in the Mahabharata, mention an elephant named Airavata,
also appropriated by Indra.)  

       

A beautiful jewel named koustubha came out next and was

accepted by  Vishnu as his adornment.      

After these wondrous objects had come out, smoke started to

billow out  and clouded the atmosphere.

 25.2 Story of Neela Kantha

 The cloud was followed by tongues of fire  , which threatened

to burn up the gods and the demons. From the fire there came
out all sorts of poisonous snakes and venomous insects.( New
information to me)

 This was  followed by a terrible poison known as kalakuta. No

one knew what to do with the poison, it would have killed him
or her all. The gods and the demons   began to pray to Shiva
for deliverance.

 Shiva appeared and swallowed up  the poison. It struck in his

throat and made his throat blue in colour. Since neela means
blue and kantha means throat, Shiva came to be known as
Neelakantha. Many iyers are named Neealakanta , some times
shortened and called as “Neelantan”.     With the danger
removed, the churning  again continued

 25.3 Appearance of Amirtha

 Dhanvantari came out of the ocean. He was the physician of

the gods and the originator of    medicine (ayurveda).
Dhanvantari held the pot of amrita in his hands.
 The demons immediately started to fight over the possession
of the amrita. But Vishnu adopted the form of a beautiful
woman (known as    mohini).      

This woman was so pretty that all the demons fell in love with
her and  gladly handed over the pot of amrita to her. But they
continued to fight  with the gods. While the fighting went on,
Vishnu secretly fed the gods the amrita. The gods became
immortal.         

25.4 Intellegant Rahu 

There   was a demon named Rahu who was vigil and intelligent

. He adopted the form of a god and managed to get  a little bit
of the amrita. But Surya and Chandra spotted the
deception  and pointed it out to Vishnu. Vishnu promptly
severed Rahu’s head   with his chakra.

The amrita never percolated down beyond Rahu’s  throat. But

the demon’s head had its share of the amrita and  became
immortal.

Rahu never forgave Surya and Chandra for telling on    him.

Rahu’s head tries to swallow up the sun and the moon,
given   a chance. You can see this happening at the time of the
solar and lunar   eclipses. This was the story of Vishnu’s turtle
incarnation

PURANIC STORIES-9& 10

We know many stories told in puranas. Perhaps some of us

may not know about the purana in which the story is
appearing. Certain stories appear in many puranas, some times
with slight difference also.

 
The interesting Puranic stories appearing in MATSYA PURANA
IS   IS COMPLETED WITH  THIS POSTING 

(CONTINUED FROM PART  8)

 25 The Churning of the Ocean      

All know the story of Palazhi manthan. But I am adding it here

for some interesting new information.

The gods and the demons always fought with one another. In
the process, many demons and gods were killed. This was no
problem for the demons.

       

Their teacher, Shukracharya, knew the art of mritasanjivani

and immediately brought the dead demons back to life. But the
gods who were    killed stay dead.  Deva Guru did not know to
revive them to life.

Further to worsen the situation Indra gave the precious garland

given by sage Durvasa, which was Lakshmi, gave  to  his
elephant Eiravatham and for the bee’s attack on the garland , it
smashed the garland. The only alternate to the situation was
Palazhimanthan to get Lakshmi back.

    

 The gods went to Brahma for his advice. "Having a temporary

truce with the demons," said Brahma. "Unite with them and
churn the ocean. This   churning will make you immortal and
you will have no reason to fear the   demons."

 
 The gods went to meet Bali, the king of the demons, with
the   proposal and Bali agreed to the temporary truce. ( The
asura king was Bali is new information to me ) 

Preparations were made  for the churning of the ocean. Mount

Mandara was used as the  churning rod for  churning and the
great snake Vasuki agreed to be the churning-rope . 

        Then the  problem came up.  Mount Mandara had no base

to rest on. Without a base, the peak would move and the
churning could not proceed.      

The great Vishnu adopted the form of a huge turtle (kurma).

The back of   the turtle provided the base on which Mount
Mandara could rest. The   churning started. The gods held
Vasuki’s tail and the demons the  head. The churning went on
for  thousand years.

      

25.1 Objects came up during churning

The first object to emerge as a result of the churning was the

moon god  Chandra. (Members may be recollecting Moon god
Chandra  being   described as the sage Atri’s son. But there is a
story  that Chandra was cursed that he would be  immersed in
the ocean. His emergence as a result of the churning was thus
akin.) Shiva accepted Chandra as an adornment for
his   forehead.       

Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, emerged next

and was   united with Vishnu.      

Sura, the goddess of wine and drinking, came out next. Many

may be thinking Asuras took it. But Gods took it. The demons
that were not given sura thus got the name “Asura” 

The divine horse followed sura. Uchchaishrava. This was

appropriated by Indra. (Other accounts of the churning, such
as in the Mahabharata, mention an elephant named Airavata,
also appropriated by Indra.)  
       

A beautiful jewel named koustubha came out next and was

accepted by  Vishnu as his adornment.      

After these wondrous objects had come out, smoke started to

billow out  and clouded the atmosphere.

 25.2 Story of Neela Kantha

 The cloud was followed by tongues of fire  , which threatened

to burn up the gods and the demons. From the fire there came
out all sorts of poisonous snakes and venomous insects.( New
information to me)

 This was  followed by a terrible poison known as kalakuta. No

one knew what to do with the poison, it would have killed him
or her all. The gods and the demons   began to pray to Shiva
for deliverance.

 Shiva appeared and swallowed up  the poison. It struck in his

throat and made his throat blue in colour. Since neela means
blue and kantha means throat, Shiva came to be known as
Neelakantha. Many iyers are named Neealakanta , some times
shortened and called as “Neelantan”.     With the danger
removed, the churning  again continued

 25.3 Appearance of Amirtha

 Dhanvantari came out of the ocean. He was the physician of

the gods and the originator of    medicine (ayurveda).
Dhanvantari held the pot of amrita in his hands.

 The demons immediately started to fight over the possession

of the amrita. But Vishnu adopted the form of a beautiful
woman (known as    mohini).      

This woman was so pretty that all the demons fell in love with
her and  gladly handed over the pot of amrita to her. But they
continued to fight  with the gods. While the fighting went on,
Vishnu secretly fed the gods the amrita. The gods became
immortal.         

25.4 Intellegant Rahu 

There   was a demon named Rahu who was vigil and intelligent
. He adopted the form of a god and managed to get  a little bit
of the amrita. But Surya and Chandra spotted the
deception  and pointed it out to Vishnu. Vishnu promptly
severed Rahu’s head   with his chakra.

The amrita never percolated down beyond Rahu’s  throat. But

the demon’s head had its share of the amrita and  became
immortal.

Rahu never forgave Surya and Chandra for telling on    him.

Rahu’s head tries to swallow up the sun and the moon,
given   a chance. You can see this happening at the time of the
solar and lunar   eclipses. This was the story of Vishnu’s turtle
incarnation.  

STORIES FROM MASYA PURANA CONCLUDED

PURANIC STORIES 10

 This story is about the demon Jalandhar told in Siva purana. I

have edited the  language   where necessary for simplicity. I
hope this story will be interesting. I am thankful to all
responding members and the moderators for publishing the
postings immediately

 1. Appearance of Jalandhar

 The brightness which appeared when   lord Shiva looked into

the ocean once resulted into the manifestation of a small child.
This incident happened at the place where river Ganges
submerged into the ocean and which is known as Gangasagar
now.

The child was crying so ferociously that an environment of fear

was created everywhere. The deities and the sages went to
Lord Brahma to satisfy their curiously. Lord Brahma assured
then that he will  find out the reason. He went to the seashore.
The sea put the child in his lap and enquired about the name of
that child and also about his future.

 Meanwhile the child pressed lord Brahma's neck with such

power that tears rolled down from his eyes. For this reason he
named the child as Jalandhar.

Lord Brahma told the sea that the child will become the mighty
ruler of the demons. No deity would be able to kill him except
Shiva.

 The sea was very pleased by Lord Brahma's predictions. After

Lord Brahma returned to his abode, the sea brought that child
to his home and brought up that child with great love and care.

 2. Marriage with Vrinda

 When Jalandhar grew up he married Vrinda, who was the

daughter of Kalnemi. Later on he became the ruler of the
demons.

 3. Sage Brighu narrate to Jalandhar the story of

Palazhimanthan

 One day Sage Bhrigu came to meet Jalandhar. After receiving

him with due respect Jalandhar asked him as to who severed
the head of Rahu.

 Sage Bhrigu then told him about Hiranyakashipu who was the
maternal uncle of Rahu. Sage Bhrigu also told him about
Virochana - the son of the extremely charitable king Bali.

  Then sage Bhrigu narrated the tale connected with the

churning of ocean and how ambrosia emerged from the
churning of the ocean.

 Sage Bhrigu told Jalandhar how Rahu's head was severed by

lord Vishnu, while he was sitting among the deities and at the
time when ambrosia was being distributed to all the deities.

4. Indra do not bother to hear Ghasmar

 Jalandhar became very furious after hearing this story. He

summoned one of his messengers whose name was Ghasmar
and instructed him to go and ask Indra, as to WHY HAD HE
MISAPPROPRIATED ALL THE WEALTH OF HIS FATHER (SEA)
WHICH EMERGED DURING THE CHURNING OF SEA. 

He also instructed Ghasmar to warn Indra about the dire

consequences unless he takes his refuge. 

But Indra sent back Ghasmar without any specific assurance or

hearing. This action of Indra made Jalandhar more angry than
before. He collected his army and attacked Indra. 

5. Jalandhar attacks Indra

 A fierce battle was fought between his army and the army of
the deities. Many warriors got killed from both the sides.

 Shukracharya the guru of the demons brought back the dead

warriors from the demon side back to life by his mritasanjivani
vidya.

 Similarly Sage Brihaspathi brought back the dead warriors

from the devas’s side back to life with the help of medicinal
herbs from Dronagiri Mountain.  

 When Shukracharya saw that, sage Brihaspathi too was

successfully making the dead devas alive, he instructed
Jalandhar to submerge the Drongiri Mountain into the sea, so
that it becomes impossible for Brihaspathi to get the medicinal
herbs by the help of which he made the dead deities alive.

 Jalandhar obeyed the command of Shukracharya and lifted the

Drongiri Mountain submerged it into the sea. The devas
became unsuccessful and fled from the battle field Jalandhar
captured Indrapuri.

 6. Battle between lord Vishnu and jalandhar

 The terrified devas took the refuge of lord Vishnu and sought
his help. Lord Vishnu gave a patient hearing and agreed to help
them, but there was a hitch.

 6a. Don’t kill my brother

 His consort goddess Laxmi considered Jalandhar as her
brother because both of them originated from the sea. She
instructed Lord Vishnu against killing Jalandhar.

 Lord Vishnu promised her that he won't kill Jalandhar. After

giving his word to goddess Laxmi, he went to fight a battle with
Jalandhar.

 A fierce battle was fought between both of them which

remained indecisive till the end. Lord Vishnu became very
much impressed by the valiance of Jalandhar and asked him to
demand any boon he liked.

 6b. Jalandhar get boons from Lord Vishnu

 Jalandhar requested him to make his dwelling in the

Ksheersagar-the abode of Jalandhar, along with his sister
(Laxmi).

 Lord Vishnu agreed to fulfill his wish and started living in the
Ksheersagar along with his consort Laxmi. This is the reason
the sea is wealthy with resources.

 6c. Deities get dissatisfied

 Being undefeated by Lord Vishnu himself, Jalandhar became

the ruler of the entire three worlds. All his subjects were
satisfied by his just and virtuous rule, except the devas. The
devas now eulogized lord Shiva to seek his help in defeating
Jalandhar.

 7. Narada meet Jakandhar

 According to the wish of lord Shiva, Sage Narad came to meet

the devas. The devas narrated their woeful tales to him.Feeling
pity on their condition, he went to Jalandhar who accorded a
grand reception to him which pleased Narada very much. 

8. Narada play trick

 Narad praised the splendors and prosperity of Jalandhar but

added that it was nothing in comparison to Shiva's splendors 
Narad told him that in spite of all his authority and splendors,
his prosperity was still incomplete, as he did not have a proper
consort. Jalandhar asked curiously as to where could he find
his consort. 

According to his strategy, NARADA ADVISED JALANDHAR TO

MAKE PARVATI AS HIS CONSORT. Jalandhar fell into Narad's
trap. 

9. Jalandhar send Rahu to Lord Siva to part with Parvati

 He sent 'Rahu' to lord Shiva with a proposal to part with

Parvati. Rahu went to lord Shiva and demanded Parvati, which
made lord Shiva extremely furious. His anger resulted into the
manifestation of a ferocious creature, which ran towards 'Rahu'
to devour him. Rahu had no option but to take the refuge of
Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva protected the life of 'Rahu'.

 The hungry creature, asked Shiva as to what should he eat to

satisfy his hunger. Lord Shiva instructed him to devour his own
limbs. The creative followed his instructions and devoured his
limbs. Lord Shiva was very pleased by his sense of obedience.
He also blessed him saying that he too would be worshipped
along with him (Shiva). Rahu went back to Jalandhar and
narrated the whole story to him.

10 Jalandhar attack Kailas

 Jalandhar then attacked Kailash Mountain with his huge army.

A fierce battle was fought between the Shiva-ganas and the
demons.

 When Jalandhar realized that lord Shiva had begun to

dominate the battle he created beautiful 'Apsaras' and
'Gandharvas' by his illusionary powers to divert the attention of
lord Shiva and his ganas.

 10a. Jalandhar create apsaras

 He was successful in his attempt. Lord Shiva and his ganas
became enchanted by the heavenly beauty of the apsaras.
They stopped fighting and started watching their dance and
music.
 11 Jalandhar approach Parvati

 Meanwhile Jalandhar went to Parvati disguising as lord Shiva

but Parvati recognized Jalandhar. Being enchanted by the
beauty of goddess Parvati, he looked at her with his evil
intentions, but was immobilized by her wrath.

 11a. Parvati approach Lord Vishnu

 Parvati then went to lord Vishnu and narrated the whole story.
She wanted to teach Jalandhar a lesson. She requested lord
Vishnu to go to Jalandhar’s wife Vrinda in the guise of
Jalandhar and act in the same way.

 12. Vishnu approach Vrinda disguising as Jalandhar

 With the help of his divine powers, Lord Vishnu created many
inauspicious dreams while Vrinda was asleep. Vrinda became
very restless and when the anxieties become unbearable she
proceeded towards the forest.

 Vrinda saw a hermit in the forest who was preaching his

disciples. The hermit was none other than lord Vishnu. She
went to that hermit and prayed to save her husband's life.

Lord Vishnu disappeared from the scene and reappeared - this

time in the guise of Jalandhar. But Vrinda was unable to
recognize the real identity of her husband. She was very
pleased after finding her husband. Both of them stayed in that
very forest as husband and wife for a very long time.

 13. Vrinda identifies Vishnu and immolate herself

One day, Vrinda came to know about the real identity of the
person, who was impersonating as her husband.

 Realizing that her chastity has been breached, she cursed lord
Vishnu by saying that just as he had played a deceitful trick
with her in the same way somebody would deceitfully abduct
his wife and he too would wander in her search.
 After cursing lord Vishnu, Vrinda embraced death by entering
into the fire.

 14. Shiva too reccognises the folly

 On the other side, after the departure of Parvati from Kailash
Mountain and after the illusionary powers created by Jalandhar
had ended all the apsaras and gandharvas vanished. Shiva
realized that whatever he was watching was nothing more than
illusion.

Lord Shiva recommenced his battle.  Now Jalandhar again

arrived to fight with lord Shiva. A fierce battle commenced
between them. Finding an opportune time, Shiva severed the
head of Jalandhar by his 'Chakra' which had been created from
his toe. After his death, Jalandhar's soul united with Shiva.

15. Deities make a sigh of relief

 When the devas came to know about the killing of Jalandhar,

they became overjoyed. They came to Lord Shiva and
eulogized him. Thy also hailed his great achievement. After
expressing their gratitude they returned to their respective
abodes.

 16. Manifestation of 'amla' (myrobalan), tulsi (basil) and

'malti'

 Lord Vishnu was very much saddened by the death of Vrinda.

He took the ashes from the pyre and after applying them on his
body started wondering here and there.

 Devas became very much  worried to see the condition of lord

Vishnu. They went to lord Shiva and requested him to eliminate
the false attachment with which Sri Vishnu was suffering.

 Lord Shiva sent the devas to goddess Parvati, saying that she
would certainly help in this regard.

 The deities went to goddess Parvati and prayed to her. She

became very pleased and with the assistance of Laxmi and
Saraswati, gave some seeds to then. The deities sprayed those
seeds on the pyre, on which Vrinda had given up her life.
 Three holy plants manifested from that pyre-Amla, Tulsi and
Malti. Later on Tulsi and Malti attained to the Vishnuloka, by
the virtue of their respective penance.

PURANIC STORIES 11

  This story is about demon king Sankhuchuda and TULSI AND

SALAGRAM told in Siva puran edited for brief ness. I hope
these stories are interesting.

1. INTRODUCTION

 Shankhachuda was born to the demon king 'Dambha'.

Shankhachuda was in fact, Sudama (Kuchela) in his previous
life. He was born in the family of demons due to the curse of
Radha.

 2. MARRIAGE

 When Shankhachuda grew up, he went to Pushkar (Ajmer,

Rajasthan) and did a tremendous penance to please Lord
Brahma. Lord Brahma blessed him and said that he would
remain invincible. He also instructed Shankhachuda to go to
'Badrikashram' where he would find his would be wife Tulsi- the
daughter of Dharmadhwaja.

 Shankhachuda went to Badrikasharam and married Tulsi as

per the instructions of Lord Brahma. He then returned back to
his capital accompanied by his wife- Tulsi. We know one of the
rarest temples available today to Lord Brahma is at Pushkar.

3. SHANKHACHUDA BECOMES THE RULER OF ALL THE THREE

WORLDS

 When Shankhachuda reached his capital after marrying Tulsi,

he was crowned as the king of the demons by Shukracharya.
After his coronation, Shankhachuda attacked Indrapuri
supported by his huge army and defeated the deities. In a very
short time all the three worlds were under his control.

 After being defeated by Shankhachuda, the deities went to

Lord Brahma and sought his help in eliminating Shankhachuda.
Lord Brahma then took them to lord Vishnu. All of them were
taken to lord Shiva by Vishnu. They expressed their request to
liberate them from the troubles created by Shankhachuda.

 4 LORD SHIVA GIVE POSITIVE ASSURANCES TO DEITIES

 Lord Shiva assured the deities that he will kill Shankhachuda

and their worry will be over. The deities then returned to their
abodes with a sigh of relief.

 5. MESSENGER PUSHPADANT REACH SHANKHACHUDA

 Lord Shiva sent his messenger Pushpadant, to Shankhachuda

and to return back the kingdom of the deities to them.
Shankhachuda refused to oblige and expressed his willingness
and readiness to fight lord Shiva. Pushpadant returned back
and narrated the reply to lord Shiva.

 6. SHIVA PROCEEDS WITH HIS ARMY

Lord Shiva was fully convinced about the inevitability of the

battle. He first sent all his ganas under the leadership of
Kartekiye and Ganesha. Later on Bhadrakali proceeded towards
the battlefield with a huge army as per the own wish of lord
Shiva himself. At last lord Shiva proceeded towards the
battlefield accompanied by the deities. All the troops collected
at the bank of river Chandrabhaga and rested under the shade
of a Banyan tree.

 7. SHANKHACHUDA HANDS OVER KINGDOM TO HIS SON AND

BECOME READY FOR FIGHT

 Shankhachuda handed over the kingdom to his son and went

to his wife to take her permission before going to the
battlefield. His wife was reluctant to allow him to go, but he
somehow managed to convince her. He then proceeded
towards the banks of Chandrabhaga with a huge army.
 8. BATTLE BETWEEN THE DEITIES AND THE DEMONS

 A fierce battle started between the deities and the demons.

But when the army of Chandrachuda began to dominate the
fight, the deities fled away and took the refuge of lord Shiva.

 9. THE BATTLE BETWEEN SHIVA FAMILY & SHANKHACHUDA

 After the defeat of the deities and the ganas Kartikeya and
Ganesha went to fight joined WITH Bhadrakali.

 Bhadrakali would have devoured Shankhachuda but she

spared his life because of the boon, given to him by Lord
Brahma. Now it was the turn of Lord Shiva to join the battle,
but even he could not cause any harm to him because of Lord
Brahma's boon.

 10 STRATEGIES EMPLOYED TO KILL SHANKHACHUDA

 While a tremendous battle was being fought between lord

Shiva and Shankhachuda. Lord Vishnu appeared and
demanded the armour from Shankhachuda, which he had put
on, his body in the guise of a Brahmin. Shankhachuda gave his
armour to him without any kind of suspicion.

 11. SANKHUCHUDA LOOSE POWER

 Lord Vishnu then went to Shankhachuda's wife in the guise of

her husband i.e. Shankhachuda. He destroyed the chastity of
Tulsi - Shankhachuda's wife.

 Shankhachuda derived his power from the chastity of his wife

and it vanished the moment, her chastity was destroyed.

 12. LORD SHIVA KILLS SHANKHACHUDA

 Shankhachuda became very furious and attacked Shiva. Shiva

repulsed his assault and attacked him with his Trishul.
Shankhachuda who had become powerless was killed
instantaneously. The deities were very pleased at the death of
Shankhachuda. After worshipping lord Shiva they went back to
their respective abodes.

 13. TULSI CURSES LORD VISHNU

 Lord Vishnu had gone to Tulsi in the guise of her husband-
Shankhachuda, so that destroying her chastity could help lord
Shiva to kill Shankhachuda, who derived his power from Tulsi's
chastity and virtuosity.

 Initially Tulsi could not recognize lord Vishnu. She was

extremely joyous at his arrival. But very soon she was able to
realize the real identity of lord Vishnu, who had disguised
himself as her husband.

 She became very angry and cursed lord Vishnu to become a

stone

 13. LORD SIVA BLESS TULASI

  Lord Vishnu contemplated on Shiva as a result of which he

appeared. Lord Shiva blessed Tulsi that she would become the
beloved of Lord Vishnu.

 Due to Tulsi's curse, Lord Vishnu attained the form of

salagram which is a stone and because of lord Shiva's
blessings. Tulsi leaves started being offered to the Shaligram,
in the process of its worship.

PURANIC STORIES NEW  12

 This story is about NANDIKESWAR told in Siva purana edited

for briefness.

NANDIKESHWAR

 Sage Shilad did a tremendous penance to please lord Shiva

with an aspiration to have a son. Lord Shiva appeared before
him and asked him to demand any boon he wished.

 Sage Shilad expressed his desire of having a son who is not

born from a physical body and who is proficient in all the
scriptural knowledge. Lord Shiva blessed him by saying - 'So
be it'.
 Sage Shilad then returned to his hermitage and performed a
'Yagya'. From the yagya-kunda appeared a child who
possessed four arms and three eyes. Sage Shilad was very
pleased to see that child. The birth of the child was celebrated
with great fanfare. Lord Shiva and Parvati arrived to bless the
child.

 The child was named Nandi as his birth had given immense joy
(anand) to sage Shilad. Later on Nandi lived with his father like
any other normal child and was brought up with great love and
care. He became proficient in all the scriptures within seven
years.

Being inspired by lord Shiva, two Brahmins came to sage

Shilad and informed him that after one year Nandi may return
back. Sage Shilad became extremely sad.

 Seeing his father in his sorrowful mood, Nandi consoled him

and later on went to do penance. His tremendous penance
pleased Lord Shiva and Parvati and both of them appeared
before him. Lord Shiva blessed him and said- "You are just like
me, so you will never die".

 Lord Shiva also gave one of his garlands to him. As soon as

Nandi wore that garland he imbibed all the qualities of lord
Shiva. After that Lord Shiva took out some water from his locks
of hair and sprinkled on him, as a result of which five rivers
came into existence. These five rivers were later on came to be
known as Panchanad. Lord Shiva then made him the leader of
all his ganas.

 Later on goddess Parvati took Nandi under her guidance and

considered him just like her own son.

Nandi was married to Suyasha- the daughter of Marut.

Ultimately all of them accompanied lord Shiva to his abode.
There was no effect for the words of Brahmins.

 Nandikeswar is an incarnation of Lord Siva himself as told in

Siva purana by sage Suta.
 I have read the following story some where from the internet
about Vadakkunnatha -Long back I read in 98’s I think.
  Once a smart young gentle man very white complexioned
appeared offering prayers sitting in the mandapam of the
temple. He will appear suddenly, sit calmly offering prayers in
the mandapam and suddenly disappear. This continued for
months. People coming to worship in the temple stood looking
at the handsome gentle man. This included pregnant women.

 It is said the children delivered started appear like the

handsome man. Not for one woman but for many pregnant
women it started repeating.

 Quarrels started on the integrity of women-Because they

looked at the gentleman it has occurred.

  One fine day the gentle man disappeared. It is told the young
man was Lord Siva himself in the legend.

 Leaving the legend, generally many people from Trichur either

male or female generally look more handsome and well built
and wheatish complexion comparing to other parts of Kerala.
Very few are lean or short in size.

 Another is a story about Nandi getting the form of oxen. This

too I read long back in the net.

 One day Lord Siva called Nandi and asked him to go over to
the Earth  and tell people to take OIL BATH DAILY AND ONCE A
WEEK TO TAKE FOOD.

It appears Nandi was absent minded a little. He came and told

the people just the reverse- Take food daily and oil bath once a
week. Shiva became angry at Nandi for telling just the reverse
of what he has told. He was transformed to oxen by the curse.

 It is told because of this all the shortage of food has happened
in the world. 

PURANIC STORIES 13

 31. Purpose of Parasurama Avathara

 The Brahmanas were the first of the four classes. It was their
job to pray, study the sacred texts and perform religious rites
while the Kshatriyas were the second of the four classes. It was
their job to wear arms and protect the world and rule.

 But the Kshatriyas became very insolent and began to oppress

the world and the Brahmanas. Vishnu was then born as the son
of the sage Jamadagni and his wife Renuka who later got called
as Parasu Rama. Since this incarnation  was the line of the
sage Bhrigu, Parasurama was also called Bhargava.       

Parasurama’s mission was to protect the Brahmanas and teach

a lesson to   the Kshatriyas. 

31a. Story of king Kartha veerya 

There was a king by name Kartavirya who had received all

sorts of boons from the sage Dattatreya.  He conquered and
ruled over the entire world. 

One day, Kartavirya went on a hunt to the forest. He was very

tired after the hunt and came near the Ashram of sage
Jamadagni.

He was invited by the sage Jamadagni to rest in his hermitage.

Jamadagni was having  the  cow- kamadhenu at that time .
The cow         produced whatever its owner desired. Jamadagni
used the kamadhenu to         treat Kartavirya and all his
soldiers to a sumptuous feast.

 {My note- Here name of the cow is told as Kamadhnu. Some

Puranas tell the name as Nandini}

 Kartavirya was enamoured of the kamadhenu that he asked

the sage to give    it to him. But Jamadagni refused to part
with her. Kartavirya then abducted the cow by force and a war
started between Kartavirya and Parashurama.

 In this war, Parashurama cut off Kartavirya’s head with his axe
(parashu) and brought the kamadhenu back to the
hermitage.  Till this time he was called Rama only.
After some time, Parashurama was away when Kartavirya’s
sons arrived at the ashrama and killed Jamadagni. On the
death of his father, Parasurama’s anger was aroused. He killed
all the Kshatriyas in the   world twenty-one times. ON THE
PLAINS OF KURUKSHETRA, HE BUILT FIVE WELLS, WHICH
WERE FILLED WITH THE BLOOD OF KSHATRIYAS.

 Eventually, Parashurama gifted  the world to Kashyapa and

went and lived on  Mount Mahendra. 

 31.b Sages  Bhargava and Jamadagni come in the pravara of

Srivatsa gothra.

 Jamadagni and Bhargava are the pravara rishies (important

sages in the linage) of Srivatsa Gothra. The other Pravara
sages are Bhargava, Chyavana, Aplavana and Avurva for
Sreevatsa Gothra. 

 32 Lineage of Sri Rama

 Every one of us knows Sree Rama was the son of king

Dasaratha. Dasaratha was the son of King Aja. We also know
Sri Rama was born in Soorya Vamsam. Let us see the lineage

 Brahma came out of Vishnu’s navel. Brahmas son was sage

Marichi; Marichi’s son was sage Kashyapa.

 Soorya the Sun god was born as the son of sage Kashyapa. 
Surya’s son   was Vaivasvata Manu; Manu’s son was king
Ikshvaku.

 Ikshvaku’s son was king Kakutstha; Kakutstha’s son was king

Raghu.King Aja was the son of king Raghu. King Dasaratha was
born as the   son of king Aja.

 We know king Dasaratha’s sons were Rama, Bharata,

Lakshmana and Shatrughna.

 Rama's story belongs to the solar line  (Surya vamsa), since

one of his ancestors was Surya.

 33. Purpose of Sree Rama Avathara

 Vishnu himself wished to destroy Ravana and the other
rakshasas. VISHNU THEREFORE DIVIDED HIMSELF INTO FOUR
PARTS AND WAS BORN AS RAMA, BHARATA, LAKSHMANA AND
SHATRUGHNA.

 Rama was Kousalya's son, Bharata Kaikeyi's. Lakshmana and

Shatrugna were the sons of   Sumitra.

 34. Who were the wives of Lekshmana etc?

 Rama broke a bow of Shiva’s that had been in   the possession
of the king of Mithila, Janaka. This was the task that had   been
appointed for marrying Sita, Janaka’s daughter. Rama married
Sita. This story we know very well.

 Lakshmana married Urmila, Bharata married Mandavi and

Shatrughna married Shrutakirti sisters of Seetha.

 35. Why did Kaikeyi disliked Rama?

 Dasaratha resolved that Rama should be made yuvaraja, that

is, the heir         apparent to the kingdom.

 But Kaikeyi had a servant named Manthara who plotted

otherwise. WHEN HE WAS YOUNG, RAMA HAD PULLED
MANTHARAS FEET AND EVER SINCE THAT DAY. MANTHARA
HAD NOT BEEN KINDLY DISPOSED TOWARDS RAMA. (It is a
new information to me)

 36. Circumstance of giving two boons to Kaikeyi by king

Dasaratha

 Years ago, the gods had been fighting with the demon   
Shambara and had asked Dasaratha for his help. In fighting
with   Shambara, Dasaratha had been injured. Kaikeyi had
nursed him back to health. Dasaratha had promised two boons
to Kaikeyi as a reward 

We know Manthara’s suggestion was that Kaikeyi should now

ask for these two    boons. By the first boon Rama would be
banished to the forest for fourteen years and by the second
boon Bharata would become yuvaraja and knowing about the
boons promised, to keep up his father’s words Sree Rama left
for Forest life of 14 years. 

In the Rama -Ravana war Rama killed the giant Kumbhakarna,

Ravana's brother. Lakshmana killed Indrajit son of king
Ravana.

By the time war was over, Sree Rama had completed 14 years
of forest life. Rama, Lakshmana and Sita returned to Ayodhya.

 37 Rama rajyam

 There Rama was crowned king and he treated his   subjects as

his own sons. He punished the wicked and followed the path  
of dharma. During Rama’s rule there was no shortage of food
grains anywhere and the people were righteous... No one died
an untimely death.

 In due course Rama and Sita had two sons by name Kusha
and Lava. Rama ruled for eleven thousand years before he
died.

38. Story of Bharatha and Satrugna

 On Rama’s instructions, Shatrughna killed the asura Lavana

and built   the city of Mathura in the place where Lavana’s
kingdom had been.

       Bharata was sent by Rama to kill a wicked gandharva by

name Shailusha, who lived on the banks of the river Indus with
his sons. Bharata killed them and built two cities there,
Takshashila and Pushkaravati.

 In Takshashila Bharata established his son Taksha as king and

in Pushkaravti he made his son Pushkara the king. 

This is the story of the Ramayana as recounted in the Agni

Purana.

  The sage Valmiki wrote it after he had heard the story from
the sage Narada. 
PURANIC STORIES 14 

. 

In this posting I am covering interesting points of Sree Krishna

Avathara

39 Yadava kulam 

We know Brahma emerged from Vishnu’s navel.     Brahma’s

son was sage Atri, Atri’s son was Soma or Moon God, and
Soma’s son was king Pururava. Atri- Anasuya story and
Pururuva –Urvashi story I will be posting later 

King Pururava’s son was Ayu, Ayu’s son was Nahusha and
Nahusha’s son was King Yayati.

Yayati had two wives, Devayani and Sharmishtha. Devayani

(Yes – daughter of Asura Guru Sukracharya) had two sons,
Yadu and Turvusu. And Sharmishtha had three sons, Druhya,
Anu and Puru. 

The descendants of Yadu were known as the Yadavas.  I will be

referring to King Puru also  later in the context of
Mahabharatha. 

40- Purpose of Sree Krishna avatara in the Yadava Kulam 

Vasudeva was a Yadava. His wife was Devaki. Vishnu was born

as the 8th son   of Vasudeva and Devaki IN ORDER TO REMOVE
THE WICKED FROM THE WORLD. 

The    seventh son of Vasudeva and Devaki was Baladeva. He

is also referred as an avatara. 

41. Different feats of Lord Krishna

I have summarised below  the important feats of Lord Krishna. 

1.    Killing Kamsa the cruel

2.    Kaliya mardanam – Killing of Kaliya- the poisonous

snake
 3.    Stopping Indra worship and letting down his pride

4.    Establishment of Dwarka , the kingdom of Krishna

5.    Defeating Jarasandha  the wicked uncle of Kamsa

6.    Defeating Panchajana and getting Panchajanyam the

sankhu.

7.    Seizing parijatha tree from Indra and bringing to

world

8. Giving life and sight to dead son of   Sandipani, Krishna’s

guru.

42 Story of Pradyumna 

Krishna had several wives  and Prominent were Rukmini and

Sathyabhama. Very often when we say pray to Krishna we
include”Rukmini Sathyabhama sametha”.   Rukmini was more
devotional between the two. Pradyumna was born of Krishna’s
wife Rukmini. As soon   as Pradyumna was born, he was
abducted by the asura Shambara.  There was a woman named
Mayavati who lived in Shambara’s house and Shambara
handed   over baby Pradyumna to Mayavati to bring him  up.      

 When he grew up, Pradyumna killed Shambara and married

Mayavati. They   returned to Dvaraka and Krishna was happy
to see his lost son.Pradyumna and Mayavati had a son named
Aniruddha. Aniruddha secretly married Usha, the daughter of
King Vana. 

 43 Story of King Vana 

Vana was  the son of   king Vali. Vana’s capital was in a city

named Shonitapura. Vana pleased Lord Shiva through hard and
difficult tapasya . His  aim was to get an equal to fight . Vana
loved to fight so much . Lord Siva granted the boon with
condition. A flag with a peacock on it used to fly from   the
ramparts of Vana’s palace. Shiva told him that the day this
flag   fall down, Vana’s desire for battle with an equal would
be  satisfied. 

44. Fight between Lord Krishna and Siva 

With the help of a friend of Usha, Aniruddha and Usha used to
meet  secretly in Vana’s palace. Vana's guards informed him
about this and there was a fierce battle between Vana and
Aniruddha. At the same  time, the flag with the peacock on it
fell down. 

Krishna got to know from Narada about the fight between Vana
and Aniruddha and he, Baladeva  and Pradyumna arrived in
Vana’s capital. Shiva came to fight on  Vana’s side,
accompanied by Nandi and Skanda or Kartikeya. 

But after a duel that lasted for a long time, Krishna triumphed
over these   enemies. At  Shiva’s intimation , Krishna spared
Vana’s life and gave  him two arms with which he could
accomplish like a human.( Vana  had many arms). 

The main part of Krishnavathara  is the Mahabharatha war and

his part in it  to get rid of evil

PURANIC STORIES 15

 This  posting is a prelude about  the lineage of kouravas and

Pandavas. Bala Bharatham was a non-detailed Malayalam book
for me in the 7th or 8th class. Nostalgic memories of
Balabharatham come to me now when I write their lineage .. 

45 What Mahabharatha war to do with Krishnavathara. 

The Pandavas were merely a pretext. KRISHNA USED THE

PANDAVAS TO GETRID THE WORLD OF EVIL MEN. 

46 What is the lineage of king Santhanu? 

We have already seen that one son of king Yayati was Puru.  In
Puru’s lineage were born Bharata and Kuru. This Bharatha is
the same Bharatha from whom our country got the name as
Bharatha. Who was this Bharatha? We know story of
Sakunthala and King Dushyanta. The son born to them was
Bharatha.  One of Kuru’s descendants was the king Shantanu.
47 King Santhanu marries Ganga 

Once king Santhanu was strolling along the bank of river

Ganga. He found a beautiful young woman there standing
alone and got attracted to her.Santhantu wanted to marry her.
She was nobody else than river Ganga in human female  form. 

Ganga just laid ONLY ONE CONDITION; she should not be

questioned for her actions, if Shanthanu agree to it, she will
marry him. Shanthanu was so much attracted to her beauty,
he agreed to the condition and married her. 

In due course seven male children were born to king

Shanthanu and Ganga, but Ganga killed all of them drowning in
the river. Santhanu could not open his mouth or ask the reason
for her action because HE SHOULD NOT QUESTION HER
ACTIONS. 

Shantanu could not keep his mouth closed when she began to
kill the 8th child also. He raised a question about  her action and
telling the king has violated the condition for her living with
him, left the child with Santhanu and disappeared. This 8th child
later became the great Bhishmar. 

The seven children Ganga drowned in river Ganga were the 7

vasus who joined hands with the Vasu Dyu who stole
Kamadhenu for full filling the wishes of his wife from sage
Vasistha. They were granted immediate relief by drowning
them in Ganga by sage Vasistha on repenting. 

The Vasu Dyu who stole the cow for fulfilling the wishes of his
wife had to remain in human life with out wife and son due to
the curse. So Bhishmar was the re-birth of Dyu the 8th Vasu. 

47a. Who were Santhanu and Ganga 

Once a meeting was called in the court of Brahma. Ganga

(river in Deva  form) was entering the court and an unexpected
blow of wind displaced her upper cloth to a great extent. 

Some how Deva Mahabhishak got distracted and he was cursed

by Lord Brahma to be born as human on this account. 
He later born as King Shantanu, and it became known that the
Goddess Ganga herself would be his wife in the human life. 

47b How Ganga became mother of Vasus? 

The Vasu's  cursed by Vasistha begged Ganga to be their

mother in their mortal incarnation.

They were the seven children drowned by Ganga when she was
the wife of King Shantanu. 

The eighth child was the incarnation of Dyu, and he came to be

known as Bhishma as told earlier. We know stories of Bhishma
who lived as he desired. 

48. King shanthanu meet Satyavathi 

After Ganga departed King Shanthanu was very sorrowful.

While he was strolling along Ganga’s bank, again a lady
appeared on the scene with beautiful appearance and  fish
smell  . She was Sathyavathi daughter of head fisherman. 
Shanthanu was attracted to her and desired to marry her. Her
father put forth a condition to marry his daughter to him- The
child born to them should be the king. 

King shanthanu could not think of such a condition, having his

son Bhishmar with him and Shanthanu desired to coronate
him.  Understanding the sorrow of his father, Bhishmar
approached Sathyavathi  and her father and personally assured
he will not marry at all, so that none in his lineage become the
king. This is some times told as Bhishmar vakku. 

Now Satya vati got married to King Shanthanu, after the

assurance of Bhishmar 

49. Who was Sathyavathi 

We know once sage Parasara came to river Ganga and while

crossing he was attracted to the boat rowing woman(smelling
life fish-Matsya gandhi) and in their relation a son was born
and she became yojana Gandhi on blessing by the sage and
she remained as virgin even after birth. This son born to them
was the great Vedavyasa. Veda vyasa when completed all
studies in very short time  and left mother telling he will
appear  before her when she thinks of him to see.  The boat
rowing woman later came to be known as Sathya vathi. 

50 What is the relation between Bhishma and Veda

vyasa ? They are first cousins in short.

PURANIC STORIES 16

  

This posting is the continuation of the prelude about the

lineage of kouravas and Pandavas. Bala Bharatham was a non-
detailed Malayalam book for me in the 7th or 8th class. Nostalgic
memories of Balabharatham come to me now when I write
about their lineage

51 CHITRANGADA AND VICHITHRYA VEERYA 

We have seen Shantanu also married   Satyavati and had two

more sons, Chitrangada and   Vichitravirya from her. Bhishma
never married as per the promise. Chitrangada died in an
young age.                

 When Vichitravirya grew up, Bhishma defeated the king of

Kashi   and brought two of the king’s daughters, Ambika and
Ambalika, as brides for Vichitravirya. Vichitravirya was also
quite young when he died of tuberculosis with out having any
child born to them. 

52 Parents of Pandu and Dhritharashtra 

Since Vichitravirya had left no children, to keep the lineage

Sathya vathi called her son Veda Vyasa in the mind. Vyasadeva
as per the promise given to his mother Sathyavathi appeared
before her and as desired by Sathyavathi established relation
with Ambika and Ambalika. 
In the relation, Vyasadeva and Ambika had a son named
Dhritarashtra and Vyasadeva and Ambalika had a son named
Pandu. 

Since Ambika closed the eyes on seeing the sage, Dhritharastra

was born blind. Since Ambalica became pale on seeing the
sage Pandu was born with pale. 

 When they grew up Pandu married Princess Kunti and

Madri.  Dhritarashtra married Princess Gandhari. Gandhari had
much will power, seeing her husband blind; she too covered
her eyes always with cloth . 

I have never seen a picture of Gandhari keeping her eyes not

covered. 

53. Pandavas and Kouravas. 

In due course children born to Kunti and Madri. Kunti’s sons

were Yudhishthira, Bhima and Arjuna and Madri’s son were
Nakula and Sahadeva.  These children were born to Kunti and
Madri using a boon given to Kunti by pleased sage Durvasa in
an earlier occasion. 

Gandhari too was conceived when Kunti and Madri gave birth
to children. She was   in a hurry to give birth to children. She
gave birth to a mass body and as per advice of Veda vyasa it
was divided in to 101 pieces. They were born as children-
hundred male children and one female children.  

The first two male children often referred in Mahabharatha

story are Duryodhana and Dussasana.  The only sister to 100
sons was Dussalla. 

So Pandavas and kouravas were first cousins and Dussalla was

their only sister. In marriage age she was married to king
Jarasandha. 

54. The boon story

 In reality due to a curse Pandu could not establish a relation

with his queens. So Kunti was advised by him to use the boon
given to her to have the children by sage Durvasa.
Yudhisthira was really the son of the god Dharma and not
Pandu’s son. Similarly, Bhima was the son of the god Pavana.      
Arjuna the son of Indra and Nakula and Sahadeva the sons of
the two Ashvinis. 

55. Who was the warier Karna? 

While sage Durvasa  gave the boon to Kunnti she was not

married and  desired to see the efficacy of the boon. She called
Sun God. In the elation, Kunti gave birth to a son named
Karna. This was before she had got married to Pandu.  Karna
was put in a boat and sent on the river Ganga. A childless
couple found him and brought him up. 

Karna became a famous warier under the guidance of sage

Parasurama. He became a friend of Duryodhana. 

 Because of a   curse imposed on him by a sage, Pandu died in

due course while establishing a relation with Madri and Madri
too followed him to the funeral fire. So in short Kunti was
mother to all the Pandavas.  

56. Ruling of Kingdom 

Since Dhithrashtra was blind Pandu was ruling the kingdom.

After Pandu’s death Dhritharsahtra was forced to take up ruling
of the king Dom. 

56. Enmity between Pandavas and Kouravas 

From child hood there was enmity between Pandavas and

Kouravas. This enmity grew up as they grew up.  

The kouravas were of the opinion since their father was ruling
the kingdom; they were the legal heirs to the throne. 

Recollect as per the words given to Sathyavathi, Bhishma

refused to rule the kingdom.

 Kindly recollect the Maha bharatha war was established to

remove the miscreants from the world as incarnation as Lord
Krishna by Mahavishnu
 PURANIC STORIES 17

Dear friends

 I am continuing   with the episodes told in Agni purana. This

posting is the continuation of  the lineage of kouravas and
Pandavas.

REPOSTED ON 26-1-2020 after editing

57. Duryodhana return half Kingdom to Pandavas

Duryodhana  always had enmity with Pandavas as they were

growing up.  He tried his best for their destruction. Once he set
fire to their home to kill them. But Pandavas escaped and came
to a place called Ekachakra.   There they lived, disguised as
brahmanas. In Ekachakra, they destroyed a rakshasa named
Baka. They then won the hand of the daughter of the king
of    Panchala. Her name was Droupadi She was won in a
swayamvara by Arjuna and as per a few words of Kunti busy in
kitchen with out seeing her, all the other four Pandava
brothers   too had to live with her as wife. When Duryodhana
learnt that the Pandavas were alive, he handed over half the
kingdom to them.

                 

On the Pandava side, Yudhishthira had become king. The

Pandavas organised a rajasuya yajna (royal sacrifice) in
which   they conquered several kingdoms and accumulated a
lot of     wealth.
 

57. The chess game and loosing the kingdom by Pandavas.

Pandavas becoming famous and rich made Duryodhana

envious. He arranged a game of dice (aksha) between
Yudhishthira and Duryodhana’s uncle Shakuni. Shakuni did not
play fairly and Yudhisthira lost the    game. As a penalty for the
loss, the Pandavas were to spend     twelve years in the forest
and one additional year without being detected.

Droupadi went with them to the forest, as advised by the

Pandava’s priest, Dhoumya.   

58 Anjatha vasam( Living in disguise) of Pandavas

After the twelve years of living outside the kingdom is over,

were over, the Pandavas came to the   kingdom of King Virata
where they proposed to spend the    additional one  year that
had to be spent in disguise.

Yudhishthira   pretended to be a brahmana, Bhima cook,

Arjuna dancer, Nakula and Sahadeva stable-hands. Droupadi
became the queen’s maid.

The queen’s brother Kichaka tried to molest Droupadi, but was

killed by Bhima.

 When the year was over, the Kauravas   attacked King Virata

to rob him of his cattle. But Arjuna   defeated all the Kauravas
and saved Virata’s cattle. After   this success, the identity of
the Pandavas could no longer be kept a secret. But thankfully,
the one year during which  identities had to be kept a secret,
was over.

                  

59. Uttara swayamvaram.

King Virata’s daughter Uttara was married to Abhimanyu,

Arjuna’s son. Abhimanyu’s mother was Subhadra( Not
Droupadi), whom Arjuna had married. Subhadra also happened
to be Krishna’s sister.

60 Circumstance of Mahabharatha war and the war results

The Pandavas now demanded their rightful share of the

kingdom, but Duryodhana refused. A war was imminent   

Many kings and soldiers died in the course of the Kurukshetra

war. The only ones left alive were Kritavarma, Kripacharya
and   Ashvatthama on the Kaurava side and Satyaki, Krishna
and the  five Pandavas on the Pandava side.

After the war was over,  Bhishma taught Yudhishthira the

duties of a king. It was only    after this that he died.

                  

61. End of Pandava ruling

As a king, Yudhishthira performed many yajnas and gave a

lot  of alms to brahmanas. When Yudhishthira learnt that the
Yadavas had been destroyed, he no longer wished to rule.
He  handed over the kingdom to Parikshith son of Abhmnayu.
Then the Pandavas left on   a pilgrimage, in the course of which
they died

62. Krishna avatharam and Mahabharatha war

 It was Krishna who had used the Pandavas as a tool to rid the
world of evil kings and establish the good ones. Realizing that
the Yadavas were also evil, Krishna also ensured that the
Yadavas would be destroyed.

He then gave up his life at the place of pilgrimage that is

known as Prabhasa. After Krishna died, the city of Dvaraka was
swallowed up by the sea.

                  

This is the story of the eighth avatara of Vishnu.

PURANIC STORIES 18

 
  

I am continuing   with the episodes told in Agni purana. This

posting is about Gaya Mahamyam. 

63 Tapas of Gayasura 

There may be several holy tirthas, but Gaya is the holiest of

them all. This is because of Gayasura.      

Once a demon named Gayasura started to perform tapasya

and such were the    powers of his tapasya that the gods began
to suffer. They went to Vishnu and asked him to save them.
Vishnu agreed and appeared before Gayasura. "Accept a boon,"
said Vishnu.

 "Grant me the boon that I may become the most sacred of all
tirthas," replied the daitya. 

The boon was granted and Gayasura disappeared. The gods

returned to   swarga, but felt that the earth seemed to be
deserted now that Gayasura had disappeared. Vishnu then
instructed Brahma and the other gods to perform a sacrifice. 

 64. Gayasura’s body for performing sacrifice 

He also asked them to go to Gayasura and ask for his body so

that the sacrifice might be performed on it. Gayasura readily
agreed, and as soon as he agreed, his head fell off from the
body. 

Brahma then proceeded to perform the sacrifice on Gayasuras

headless body. But as soon as the sacrifice started, the body
began to shake. This meant that the sacrifice could not be
properly performed and a solution had to be found. 

65. Stone with all Gods inside on Gayasura’s body 

The solution was the gods should all enter a stone, which would
be placed on Gayasura's body so that the body would not
shake. The sacrifice could then be performed. Vishnu also
entered the stone. 
It is because the gods and Vishnu are always there in Gaya
that Gaya is sacred. In fact, there is a story behind this stone
as well. 

65a. Reason for all gods entering the stone placed on

Gayasura 

We know sage Marichi was mind born son of Brahma and he

had married Dharmavrata. One day, Marichi went to the forest
to collect wood and flowers and returned extremely tired. He
called Dharmavrata and said, "I am very tired. Today you must
wash my feet for me." 

Dharmavrata began to wash Marichi’s feet when Brahma

suddenly arrived. 

Dharmavrata did not know what to do. Should she finish

washing   her husband’s feet or should she first attend to
Brahma, since Brahma was Marichi’s father? She decided to
attend to Brahma first. 

At this, Marichi became very angry and cursed Dharmavrata

that she would turn into a stone. 

Dharmavrata was greatly distressed at being cursed   for what

she though had not been a fault at all. So she
performed   tapasya for many years. When Vishnu and the
other gods were pleased at   Dharmavrata’s meditation, they
appeared and offered to grant her a boon. 

Dharmavrata wished that the curse imposed on her by Marichi

might be waived. The gods explained that this was impossible,
since Marichi was a very powerful sage. What they would
however, do was to make Dharmavrata a very holy stone
desired even by the gods. The god promised to be always
inside this stone. It was this stone that was placed on
Gayasura’s body. 

Once the sacrifice was over, Gayasura himself desired a boon

from the gods and the gods granted him that Gaya would
become the most sacred of   all tirthas. It was in Gaya that the
Pandavas had prayed to Vishnu, the episode will be told later. 
 PURANIC STORIES 19

The episodes told in Agni purana are TO COMPLETE with next

one or two postings . This posting is about Soorya vamsam,
Chandra vamsam, Twelve Devasura yuddhams and Pralayam.

66.  What is Soorya vamsam in nutshell

Brahma was born from Vishnu’s navel. Brahma’s son was sage
Marichi, Marichi’s son was sage Kashyapa and Kashyapa’s son
was Vivasvana. From this  line was descended Pururava and
Pururava’s descendants were     the kings of the surya (solar)
dynasty.

67 What is chandra  vamsam in nutshell

Brahma also had another mind born son named Atri and sage
Atri had a son named                   Soma( The moon God).
Soma performed a rajasuya yajna (royal sacrifice).

67a.. Abduction of Tara

Having performed the sacrifice, Soma became the ruler of

all    the worlds. During the sacrifice Guru had come with his
young and third wife Tara. Guru (the planet now ) had other
two wives by name Subha and Mamtha.

 
Being the ruler of all the three worlds  made Moon God very
arrogant and he abducted the    sage Brihaspati’s wife Tara.
Tara was eventually restored to Brihaspati by the interference
of Brahma, but Soma and Tara had a son named Budha by the
time. From  Budha were descended the kings of the chandra
(lunar) dynasty.

68 Devasura Yuddham

There were TWELVE MAJOR WARS ( CONFLICTS) between the

Devas and the Asuras. Let me go in brief about them since I
have not detailed earlier.

68.1. Narasimha war

The first of these was known as the Narasimha War. This

took   place when Hiranyakashipu was the king of the asuras.
Vishnu  adopted the form of Narashimha and killed
Hiranyakashipu. He then made Prahlada the king of the
demons.

68.2 Vamana war

The second war was the Vamana War and it took place when
Bali was the king of the   demons. Vishnu adopted the form of
a dwarf (vamana) to  subjugate the demons.

68.3 Varaha war

The third war was the Varaha War and   this took place when
Hiranyaksha was the king of the demons.
 

Vishnu adopted the form of a wild boar (varaha) and

killed   Hiranyaksha.

68.4 Amritamanthana War

The fourth war was the Amritamanthana War and   this took

place over the manthana (churning) of the ocean for   amrita
(nectar).

68.5 Taraka maya war

The fifth war between the devas and the asuras took place
over   the abduction of Tara and this came to be known as
the   Tarakamaya War.

68.6 Ajivaka war.

The sixth war was known as the Ajivaka War. I have no details
of the war.

                 

68.7 Tripuraghatana War

The seventh war took place when Tripura led the asuras
and   this was known as the Tripuraghatana War. It was Shiva
who                   killed the demon Tripura in this war.

68.8 Andhaka War,

 

The eighth war, the  Andhaka War, took place when Andhaka

led the asuras. It was                   Vishnu who engineered that
Andhaka be killed when Andhaka   expressed a desire to
abduct Shiva’s wife.  Lord Siva has as such a name as
Tripurandha

68.9 Vritra samhahra war

The ninth war was known as Vritrasamhara and took place

when Vritra led the demons.

68.10 Jita

The tenth war was simply known as Jita.      In this war, Vishnu
killed Shalva and the other demons, and Parashurama killed
the evil kshatriyas.

68.11 Hala Hala

The eleventh war was  known as Halahala. An asura named

Halahala (poison) had                   invaded Shiva’s body and
flooded it with poison. But Vishnu    managed to destroy the
demon.

68.12 Kolahala

In the twelfth war, known as                   Kolahala, Vishnu

destroyed an asura named Kolahala.
 

69. Pralayam

Pralayam is not an episode but event, but like me many

members may be interested to know of it as told in Agni
Purana

69.1 When do pralayam occur and what is it?

A vast destruction comes at   the end of FOUR THOUSAND

YUGAS on earth is called Pralayam. So in this world after its
origin many pralayams have took place

 While pralayam is to occur , for a hundred years there will

be  no rains and there is widespread drought. Thereafter,
Vishnu uses the rays of the sun to drink and dry up all the
waters that there are on earth. The earth appear  as   flat as
the back of a turtle. The breath of the great snake (Shesha)
also serves to burn up the three worlds( Upper and nether
worlds  also) 

After the three worlds have been burnt up, dark clouds full of
thunder and lightning appear in the sky.

For a hundred years it continues to rain as there was draught.

The rain puts out the fires that have been raging. From
Vishnu’s breath are created tremendous winds and these drive
way the clouds. But there is water everywhere.

 
Lord Vishnu sleeps on these waters. for an entire kalpa.
Then  the three worlds to be created yet again on prayer by
saptharshies. They are not destructed in pralayam.

  PURANIC STORIES 20

This is the LAST POSTING from the stories and episodes told in
Agni purana.  . This posting is about Bharatha and his
attachment with deer, Yamaraja and Nachiketha. 

70. Bharatha and his attachment with deer 

Knowledge means the knowledge that the atman is no different

from the Brahman. This is known as jnana yoga. There are few
people who attain this knowledge. One of those was   Bharata. 

Bharata had done a lot of meditation in a place  known as

Shalagrama. But he became very attached to a deer there and
when he died, he died thinking of the deer. The result was that
in his next life, Bharata   was born as a deer. But the deer
happened to be a jatismara, that is, it remembered its earlier
life. The deer eventually died and Bharata was again born as a
jatismara human.  

71Yama Gita 

There was a king named Vajashrava. His son was Nachiketa.

Vajashrava   arranged for a wonderful sacrifice at which he
gave away all his wealth.       

Nachiketa asked, "Father, To whom you give me ?"       

His father did not reply, but Nachiketa kept asking again and
again. At this, Vajashrava became angry and said;"I
have  given you to Yama. 

Faithful to his father’s word, Nachiketa decided to go to Yama’s

abode. The road was difficult, but Nachiketa got there and
waited for three   days to see Yama. No one returns to the
earth from Yama’s abode. But Yama was so pleased to have
met Nachiketa that he granted him the boon that Nachiketa
could return to the earth. 
 Nachiketa however, had no desire to  accept such a boon.
Instead he wanted to know from Yama the true nature of the
atman. The Instructions that Yama gave to Nachiketa have
come to    be known as the Yama Gita. 

72. Yama and Chithraguptha 

When human beings die, their physical bodies are given up.
But they   acquire new bodies that are known as ativahika
bodies. In these bodies, they are brought to Yama ’ ’s abode by
Yama ’s servants. 

Living beings other than human are not brought to

Yama. Yama then decides whether the dead person should go
to heaven or to hell. 

After he   has served his time in heaven or in hell, he is born

again. Yama further         decides what living being the person
should be born as, depending on the actions in his past life.
And so the cycle of birth, death and rebirth   goes on and on.  

Since he keeps tally of all good deeds and all sins. Yama is also
known   as the god of Dharma. Those who have done good
deeds are rewarded by Yama   and those who have committed
sins are punished. 

Chitragupta is Yama’s accountant; he keeps the account of all

punya and papa. 

 There are twenty-eight circles of hells with many hells located

in each circle. A sinner may have to go to more than one hell
depending on the sins that he has committed. The treatment
told in the hell is extremely suffering and pain full. 

PURANIC STORIES 21 

This is the FIRST POSTING from the stories and episodes told
in BRAHMA PURANA. Further postings of episodes will be from
Brahma purana. 
Many stories told in Agni purana and Matsya purana are re
told, some with addition, some with alteration.  The alterations
and additions are given priority in this posting. 

73 Why do humans are called Manava? 

To continue with the process of creation, Brahma gave birth

to    a man and a woman from his own body. The man was
named    Svayam-bhuva  Manu and the woman was named
Shatarupa. Humans are      descended from Manu. That is the
reason they are known as manava. 

74. Manu and Shatarupa’s Children 

Manu and Saturupa had three sons named Vira, Priyavarata

and Uttanapada. Priyavarta and Uttana pada are detailed in
Brahma Purana. 

Uttanapadas son was the great Dhruva; Dhruva performed

very difficult meditation for three thousand divine years.
Brahma was so pleased at this that he granted Dhruva an  
eternal place in the sky, near the constellation that is known  
as saptarshi mandalam or the seven sages. This is the
constellation    Ursa Majoris and Dhruva is the Pole Star. 

75. Birth of Daksha 

I have detailed this story for the reason the narrator SAGE
ROMAHARSHANA HAS TOLD THERE WERE MANY DAKSHAS. 

In Dhruva’s line there was a king named Prachinavarhi.  

Prachinavarhi had ten sons, known as the Prachetas. These  
Prachetas were supposed to look after the world and rule over  
it, but they were not interested in such mundane matters. They
went off instead to perform tapasya under the ocean. The
tapasya went on for ten thousand years. The upshot was that  
the earth had no ruler and began to suffer. People started to
die and thick forests sprouted everywhere. So thick were
the                   forests that even the winds could not blow. 

News of this catastrophe reached the Prachetas. They were  

furious with the trees and created wind and fire from their
mouths. The wind dried up the trees and the fire   burnt them,
so that, very soon, there were very few trees left   on earth. 

Everyone was alarmed at the effects of the Prachetas’ anger. 

The moon-god Soma (or Chandra) came to the Prachetas with
a    beautiful woman and said, Prachetas, please control your
anger. You need someone to rule over the world so that you
can   concentrate on your tapasya. This beautiful woman is
named Marisha; she is the daughter of the trees. Marry her and
you will have a son named Daksha. He will rule over the world.
(New information to me) 

  The Prachetas agreed to this proposal and Daksha was born.

The    word praja means subject and the word pati means
master. Since Daksha ruled over the world and its subjects,
Daksha came to   be known as Prajapati. 

The sages hearing the story of Dakha’s birth at Naimisharanya

interrupted Romaharshana. They said, Sage, we are  
completely confused. 

 We have heard that Daksha was born from     Brahma’s toe.
And yet you have told us that Daksha was the son of the
Prachetas. How is this possible?

 Romaharshana replied, there is no reason for

bewilderment.  MANY DAKSHAS HAVE BEEN BORN TO RULE
OVER THE WORLD. ONE WAS    BORN FROM BRAHMA’S TOE,
YET ANOTHER WAS THE SON OF THE PRACHETAS. ( Actually
new information to me also. ) 

76 Narada 2nd birth? 

Daksha’s wife was named Asikli and Asikli gave birth to five 
thousand sons. They were known as the Haryashvas. The
Haryashvas were destined to rule over the world but sage
Narada persuaded them to explore the world and they  never   
returned. 

Daksha and Asikli then had another thousand sons who were
named the Shavalashvas. Narada told them what he had told
the Haryashvas and the Shavalashvas also went off to explore
the world and never returned. 
Daksha and Asiki were distressed that their children
disappearing  in this manner.. Daksha blamed Narada for the
instigation and Daksha proposed to kill him. But Brahma
intervened and persuaded Daksha to control his anger. This
Daksha agreed  to do, provided that his conditions were
met. Brahma must     marry his  daughter Priya, he said. And
Narada must be born as   Priya’s son..   These conditions were
accepted.  Else where also I have read about  rebirths of
Narada

PURANIC STORIES 22 

 This is the SECOND POSTING from the stories and episodes

told in BRAHMA PURANA. Further postings will be continuing 
from Brahma purana. 

77. Wives of sage Angeerasa 

We refer very often to sage Angeerasa in the pravarams of

many Gothras. 

We have read about Daksha in the last posting.Daksha and

Asikli had sixty daughters. Ten of these  daughters were
married to the god Dharma and thirteen to the sage
Kashyapa. 

Twenty-seven daughters were married to Soma or  Chandra

.They are the twenty-seven stars.  The remaining 10 daughters
were married to the sages Arishtanemi, Vahuputra, Angirasa
and Krishashva. 

In short the Angirasa married one or two daughters of 

Daksha.  This means Angirasa was a co-brother to Moon god,
Dharmaraja and Kashyapa in today’s relation. 

My note- There is no clear-cut difference seen between the two

Dakshas one from mind and another from toe. I read three
times the original from Dilipkumar posting. 

78. Who are Ashta vasus? 

I have already said  ten daughters of Daksha  were married to

the god Dharma. They were  Arundhati, Vasu, Yami, Lamba,
Bhanu, Marutvati,    Sankalpa, Muhurta, Sadhya and Vishva,
Arundhati’s children   were the objects (vishaya) of the world. 

Vasu’s children      were the eight gods known as the  Ashta

Vasus. Their names were Apa, Dhruva, Soma, Dhara, Salila,
Anala, Pratyusha and Prabhasa. 

 We know Bhishma in previous life  was one of the ashta vasus,
and he had  main part in stealing Kamadhenau for fulfilling his
wife’s desire and as such cursed to live bachelor in human life.
Other Vasus were killed by Ganga (wife of king Santhanu)
immediately on birth and she drowned them in Ganga river
since their part was lesser in stealing Kamadhenu. 

79. Viswam deva 

Really I was delighted on reading the details of Vishwam deva,

who bring our pithru as escort and guide  during sraadha.. It
was totally new information to me. 

Sadhya’s children were the god’s  known as Sadhyadevas and

Vishva’s children were the gods known as Vishvadevas. 

IN SHORT VISHWAM DEVAS ARE THE GRAND SONS OF

DAKSHA, BORN TO HIS DAUGHTER VISWA MARRIED TO
DHARMARAJA.  

See the relation. Dharma raja is related with death. His son is
related with pithru.. How chronologically told!!!

 80 Who are 12 Aadityas?

 As we have already seen, Kashyapa married thirteen of  

Daksha’s daughters. Their names were Aditi, Diti, Danu,
Arishta, Surasa, Khasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhavasha,
Ida, Kadru and Muni. 

Aditi’s sons were the twelve gods known as the adityas. Their
names were Vishnu, Shakra, Aryama, Dhata, Vidhata, Tvashta,
Pusha, Vivasvana, Savita, Mitravaruna, Amsha and    Bhaga. 

These names of 12 aaditya’s we often refer. 

We refer savita and savithri in gayathri. We will be recollecting
now the manthra “ savitha smartha, vihita, nitya karma
anushtana, yogyatha siidhyartham, Brahma thejaha
abhivridhyartham,,,,”

My note - I have a doubt whether it is sroutha or savitha. Still I

add it
I do recollect the reference of 12 aadiyas in a film song   about
10 years back “Kaliyattam” acted by Suresh Gopi in
Malayalam . 

PURANIC STORIES 23 

This is the THIRD POSTING from the stories and episodes told
in BRAHMA PURANA 

Other than new stories and episodes, many stories told in Agni
purana and Matsya purana are re told, some with addition,
some with alteration in Brahma Purana.  These alterations and
additions are given priority in this posting. 

81 ROHINI AND MOON GOD 

The twenty-seven daughters of Daksha who were married to

Soma    are known as the constellations- Nakshatras
(stars). Out of these twenty seven  daughters Moon God
chandra had special affinity to Rohini. After observing the
special affinity to Rohini, other daughters complained to
Daksha , his indifference to them. 

Father in Law Daksha called his son in law Chandra and

advised  him and said there should not be  any indifference
between his wives and there is a complaint from  his wives
about his special affection to Rohini . But who hear? 

Chandra still continued his affinity with Rohini. Again the

daughters complained to Daksha. Daksha became very angry
with his son in law this time. Daksha cursed him to be bodiless.
Chandra repented, but curse could not be taken back.  The
curse was transformed that he will gain full body in fifteen days
and again become bodiless in fifteen days.  Chandra had to be
satisfied with this. These two days when he has got full body is
called Pounami and no body is called Amavasya.  

Moon Gods “Vriddhi Kshayam” (Growing and reducing) is

explained so in ithihasam. 

Even after this incident , still chandra retained some more

affinity with Rohini. It was ignored by other wives.  In many
temples we can see the idol of Moon God Chandra with Rohini.
When ever I see them this episode used to come to my mind. 

In Astrology Moon God chandra get exalted in the Edava rasi

(Rishaba rasi) at Rohini star.Lord Krishna is born in Rohini star
on  Ashtami thithi. Hence we celebrate Ashtami rohini. 

82- Kashyapa the co- brother of Moon God 

While Moon God married 27 daughters of Daksha, sage

Kashyapa married thirteen daughters of   Daksha. About half.
But the off springs of  Kashyapa were much more and in
mythology the different species is attributed as originated by
Kashyapa. This Kashyapa is the same Kashyapa, we refer in
Kashyapa Gothram. 

83. Thirteen wives of Kashyapa 

The names of thirteen daughters who were married to sage

Kashyapa were Aditi, Diti, Danu,   Arishta, Surasa, Khasa,
Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhavasha,   Ida, Kadru and Muni.
We would have been familiar to some of them more. 

1. Aditi 

Aditi’s sons were the twelve gods known as the Adityas. Their
names were Vishnu, Shakra, Aryama, Dhata,
Vidhata,   Tvashta, Pusha, Vivasvana, Savita, Mitravaruna,
Amsha and    Bhaga. 

2. Diti 

Diti’s sons were the daityas (demons). They were named

Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakshipu, and amongst their
descendants   were several other powerful daityas like Bali and
Banasura.  

 Diti also had a daughter named Simhika who was married to a

danava (demon)  and son named Viprachitti. Their offsprings
were terrible demons like Vatapi, Namuchi, Ilvala, Maricha and
the  nivatakavachas. 

The demon who took the form of God and consumed  the

nector was Viprachithi. We know later he became Rahu, the
imaginary planet. 

Many members may be recollecting now the Navagraha

sthothra for Rahu mentioning simhika. I reproduce below for
others may not be very familiar. 

“Ardha kayam, Maha veeram

Chandrathithya vimarthakam

SIMHIKA garbha sambhootham,

Tham rahum pranamamyaham”

 3. Danu 

The hundred sons of Danu came to be known as danavas.

The   danavas were thus cousins to the daityas and also to
the    adityas. In the danava line were born demons like the
poulamas   and kalakeyas. 

4. Arishta 

Arishta’s sons were the gandharvas (singers of heaven). Now

we know the origin of Gandharvas. Children born to sage
Kashyapa in his wife Arishta. 

5.Surasa 

Surasa gave birth to the snakes (sarpa). 

5.Khasa 

Khasa’s children were the yakshas (demi-gods who were the

companions of Kubera, the god of wealth) and the
rakshasas  (demons). Once again read Yaksha- spelling.
Similarity can be observed. Hence Gandharvas and Yakshas are
cousins  born to same father with different mothers. 

7.Surabhi 

Surabhi’s descendants were cows and buffaloes.  

8.Vinita 

Vinata had two sons named Aruna and Garuda. Garuda became
the king of the birds. 

9 Tamara 

Tamara had six daughters. From these daughters were born

owls, eagles, vultures, crows, water-fowl, horses, camels
and   donkeys.

10. Krodhavasha 

Krodhavasha had fourteen thousand children known as

nagas  (snakes). 

See the similarity between sarpas and nagas. They too are
born to sage kashyapa with different mothers. Sarpas are
considered more divine comparing to nagas. 

11 Ila. 

Ila gave birth to trees, creepers, shrubs and bushes. 

12.Kadru 

Kadru’s sons were also known as nagas or snakes. Among

the   more important of Kadru’s sons were Ananta, Vasuki,
Takshaka    and Nahusha.

13. Muni 

Muni gave birth to the apsaras (dancers of heaven).  Hence

according to Brahma purana, all celestial dancers like oorvashi,
Menaka, Rambha, Thilothama etc  are daughters of sage
Kashyapa and Muni. 

After reading the above we can interrelate the relation between

Yakshas, Gandharvas and Apsaras, all are first cousins and
closely related . 

The wife Simhika of sage Kashyapa and their son was

Viprachithi later Rahu could be refreshing information to many
like me.

PURANIC STORIES 24

This is the FOURTH POSTING from the stories and episodes told
in BRAHMA PURANA. Further postings puranic stories  will be
continuing from Brahma purana.

84 The two wives of Sun God Martanda

 We have already seen that sage Kashyapa and Aditi daughter
of Daksha had   a son named Vivasvana. This was the sun god,
also known as Surya or Martanda.

 Surya was married to Samjna, Vishvakarma’s daughter. They

had    two sons. The first son was Vaivasvata Manu and the
second son was Yama or Shraddhadeva, the god of death.
Yama had a twin sister named Yami later became river
Yamuna.

My note- I have already told of the birth of Yama, son of Sun

God, but I have again narrated here for his name SRAADHA
DEVA.

 
The sun’ s energy was so strong that Samjna could not bear
any more to look at her husband. Through her powers, she
created an image    from her own body that looked exactly like
her. This image was called Chhaya (shadow).

                

 Samjna told Chhaya, I couldn’t bear the energy of my

husband. I   am going off to my father’s house. Stay here,
pretend to be myself and look after my children. Under no
circumstances tell anyone, certainly not my husband, that you
are not Samjna

“  I will do as you have asked me to”, replied Chhaya. But the
moment someone curses me or pulls me by the hair, I shall
be   forced to reveal the truth.

My note- this condition is an addition in Brahma Purana. New

to me also on reading.

Samjna went to her father Vishvakarma and told him what

she   had done. Vishvakarma kept asking her to return to
her   husband. But this Samjna refused to do. Instead, she
went to   the land known as Uttara Kuru and started to live
there as a mare.

                

85. Soorya’s sons through Chaya.

 Meanwhile, Surya, who had not realized that Samjna had been
replaced by Chhaya, had two sons through Chhaya. They were
named Savarni Manu and Shani (Saturn).

 
As soon as her own   children were born, Chhaya no longer
displayed as much of love   for Samjna’s children as she used
to do.

Vaivasvata Manu was a quiet sort of person and he ignored the

implied neglect. But  Yama was not that tolerant. Besides, he
was also younger. He raised his leg to kick Chhaya. At this,
Chhaya cursed Yama   that his legs would fall off.

 Yama went and complained to Surya. I have not really

kicked  her, he said. I only threatened to. And does a mother
ever    curse her children?

I can’t undo the curse, replied Surya. At best, I can reduce   its

severity. Your legs will not actually fall off. SOME OF   THE
FLESH FROM YOUR LEGS WILL FALL OFF ONTO THE EARTH
AND   CREATE WORMS. Thereby, you will be freed of your
curse.

 But nevertheless, Surya felt that there was some truth in

Yama’s asking whether a mother would ever curse her children.

86 Soorya tax Chhaya

He taxed Chhaya about the  truth, but Chhaya would not reveal

anything. SURYA THEN GRASPED HER BY THE HAIR and
threatened to curse her. Since her conditions were now
violated, Chhaya   blurted out the truth.

In an extremely angry mood, Surya dashed to

Vishvakarma’s    house. Vishvakarma tried to cool him down. It
is all because of your excess energy that this has happened,
exclaimed Vishvakarma. If you permit, I will shave off some of
the extra energy. Then Samjna will be able to look at you.

My note- Yama and Saneeswara are 1st line  brothers, father

sun god and mother Samjana and Chaya respectively

Saneeswara is the YOUNGER BROTHER of Yama dharma.

87 Story of Vishnu chakra

Surya agreed to this proposition of shaving some part of his

body to solve the excess energy problem.  With the shaved off
energy, Vishvakarma made  Vishnu’s chakra (a weapon like
a    bladed discus).

88. Birth of Aswani Kumars

Surya found out that Samjna was in Uttara Kuru in the form of
mare. He joined her there in the form of a horse. As horses,
they had two sons named NASATYA AND DASRA. Since ashva
means   horse, the sons were also known as the two Ashvinis
and became the physicians of the gods.

Surya and Samjna then gave up their equine forms and lived
happily ever after.

89. Lineage from Vaivaswata manu

 
We have already seen Vaivaswata manu was the son born to
Sun God Marthanda   with his wife Samjana.

Vaivasvata Manu got married in time but had no children and

he arranged for a   sacrifice so that he might have a son. Nine
sons were born as  a result of this sacrifice. Their names were
Ikshvaku, Nabhaga, Dhrishta, Sharyati, Narishyanta, Pramshu,
Rishta, Karusha and Prishadhra.

Manu also made an offering to the two gods Mitra and Varuna.
As a result of this offering, a    daughter named Ila was born.

90. Birth of Pururava

Buddha was the son of Chandra born to Thara wife of Jupitor.

Buddha married Ila and had a son named Pururava.

Subsequently, thanks to a boon conferred on her by Mitra and

Varuna, Ila became a man named Sudyumna. Sudyumna’s
sons were Utkala, Gaya and Vinatashva.

Utkala    ruled in Orissa, Gaya in the region that is also called

Gaya, and Vinatashva in the west. In short Ila while he was a
male he had three sons and one of them was Gaya. From him
the present Gaya got its name so.

(There is Gayasura story and from him the name Gaya in some
other puranas)  What ever it is Gaya was first ruled by Gaya,
son of Ila when he was in male form.

 
PURANIC STORIES 25

This is the FIFTH POSTING from the stories and episodes told
in BRAHMA PURANA. Further postings of episodes will be
continuing from Brahma purana. 

Other than new stories and episodes, many stories told in Agni
purana and Matsya purana are re told, some with addition,
some with alteration. 

91 Story of king Ikshvaku and his son Vikushi- Sri Rama’s

ancestors. 

When Vaivasvata Manu (First son of Sun god with samjana)

died, his nine sons divided up the earth amongst themselves.
Ikshvaku ruled in the central regions. He  had a hundred sons,
the eldest of whom was named Vikukshi.  

 Once king Ikshvaku wanted to organize a sacrifice. He sent his

son Vikukshi to the forest to fetch some meat for the
sacrifice. While hunting for animal, Vikushi felt very hungry and
ate up   some of the meat of a rabbit he already hunted. 

This was a sacrilege and the sage Vashishtha   kula guru of

King Ikshvaku advised him to banish Vikukshi from his
kingdom. 

Because   the meat that he had eaten had been the meat of a

rabbit (shashaka), Vikukshi came to be known as Shashada. 

But after Ikshvaku died, Vikukshi returned to his

father’s   kingdom and began to rule there. This was the
kingdom of   Ayodhya. One of Vikukshi’s sons was Kakutstha,
and Rama of Ramayana fame was born in this line. 

92. Story of Kubalashva 

Let us be not confused. Sun God’s son was Ikshvaku. His son
was Vikushi. Vikushi’s son was Kakustha. In this lineage there
was a famous king Vrihadashva.  For him a son was born and
named Kubalashva. 

After Vrihadashva had ruled for many years, he desired to

retire to the forest. He therefore prepared to hand over the
kingdom to his son Kubalashva. 

92.1 Sage Uthaka stopping king Vrihadashva going to forest 

 But learning of King    Vrihadashva’s resolve, a sage named

Utanka came to meet the   king. 

Don’t go to the forest right now, Utanka told the king.

My   hermitage (ashrama) is on the shores of the ocean and
is     surrounded by sand in all directions. A strong rakshasa
named Dhundhu lives under the sand. He is so strong that
even the   gods have been unable to kill him. Once every year,
Dhundhu exhales his breath and this raises a tremendous cloud
of sand    and dust.

For an entire week the sun remains shrouded in dust and for
the whole week, there are earthquakes as a result of
Dhundhu’s exhalation. I desire you do something about
Dhundhu. I have accumulated a lot of power as a   result of my
THAPASYA and I will give this to you if you kill    Dhundhu.

Vrihadashva told Utanka that there was no need for

Vrihadashva himself to kill Dhundhu. He would go to the forest
as he had decided. HIS SON KUBALASHVA WAS PERFECTLY
CAPABLE OF KILLING  DHUNDHU AND WOULD ACCOMPANY
UTANKA.

Kubalashva and his hundred sons went to the shores of

the   ocean .Kubalashva asked his sons to start digging SANDS
OF THE SHORE  so that they might find Dhundhu.

 
Dhundhu attacked Kubalashva’s sons and killed all of them but
three.    The three who escaped were named Dridashva,
Chandrashva and Kapilashva.

But Dhundhu himself was killed by Kubalashva. As a result of

this great feat, Kubabashva came to be known as
Dhundhumara. The sage Utanaka blessed Kubalashva and by
the sage’s blessings, Kubalashva’s dead sons went straight
to   heaven. (This Dhundu story is new to me also) 

93. Thrisanku- How he got the name so? 

We all know about king Trisankhu and sage Visvamithra

created a heaven for him called Trisanku swargam.  Friends, all
the while I was thinking being in the middle with actual heaven
it was called Trisanku swargam. 

But after reading it I correct myself. A swargaam created for a

person with three dosham- Thri sankhu (dosham). Let us go to
the story.

93.1. Linage of king Trisanku 

We have seen one of the sons of king Kubalashva not killed by

demon Dhundu was Dridashva in the previous paragraph. 

From Dridashva was descended a king named Trayaruni.

Trayaruni was a righteous king and followed all the religious
dictates.  

But Trayaruni’s son though named Satyavrata was quite the

opposite and refused to follow the righteous path. King
Trayaruni’s chief   priest was the great sage Vashishtha.
( Vasistha is the Kulaguru of sage Srirama also. They are all
chirangivies) 

Vashishtha advised the king that his evil son should be

banished from the kingdom.  Trayaruni accepted the sage’s
advice. Consequently, Satyara    started to live with outcasts
outside the kingdom. 
After some time, Trayaruni relinquished his kingship and
went    away to the forest. The kingdom had no king and
degenerated       into anarchy. The absence of a king is also
frowned upon by  the gods and for twelve years there was a
terrible drought. 

93.2 Appearance of sage Viswamithra 

Vishvamitra the great sage doesn’t require any introduction

and all of us know his rivalry with sage Vasistha. 

 While the famine  was going on, Vishvamitra was not present

in the kingdom. He had gone    away to perform tapasya on the
shores of the ocean, having  left his wife and children in a
hermitage (ashrama) that was in the kingdom. 

There was such a long spell of  drought, which caused  famine

in the kingdom. People started   to starve. 

Vishvamitra’s wife decided to sell her son so   that she might

have some foods to eat. She tied a rope round    the son’s neck
and took him to the market - place. There,  she sold him in
exchange for a thousand cows. Since a rope had   been tied
around the son’s neck(gala), he came to be known as Galava. 

( NOW WE GET THE NAME OF SON BORN TO SAGE

VISWAMITHRA ON HIS WIFE - GALAVA. SO SHAKUNTHALA
HAS A BROTHER – FIRST COUSIN- GALAVA. SO DUSHYANTA’S
BROTHER IN LAW IS GALAVA). 

But Satyavrata discovered what terrible straits  Vishvamitra’s

family was in. He freed Galava and started to   take care of
Vishvamitra’s wife and children.                 

 Satyavrata had not been terribly fond of Vashishta. He

blamed   the sage for his banishment. When there was famine
everywhere, 

 Satyavarata stole Vashishtha’s cow. He killed the cow

and  served the meat to Vishvamitra’s sons, apart from eating
it   himself. 
Vashishtha was in a terrible rage when he got to know
about  this incident. He cursed Satyavrata. 

You have COMMITTED THREE SINS (SHANKU), Vashishtha

told  Satyavarata. Firstly, you have angered your father
Trayaruni..   Secondly, you have stolen and killed my cow.
Thirdly, you have    eaten cow’s meat , a forbidden
one . Because of these three sins, you  will henceforth be
known as Trishanku and be eternally cursed. (The word tri
means three.) 

Satyavrata had however taken care of Vishvamitra’s family

when the sage was away on his meditation. After Vishvamitra 
returned, he was very happy to learn about what Trishanku
had done and offered to grant him a boon.

93.3 Sage Viswamihra get pleased with king

Satyavrata(Trishanku) 

Trishanku desired the boon that he might be allowed to go to

heaven in his own   physical body. Thanks to Vishvamitra’s
immense powers, even this virtually impossible task was
accomplished. Trishanku  became king in Trayaruni’s kingdom
and Vishvamitra acted as  his chief priest. 

WHAT I NEWLY LEARNT- The original name of Trishanku was

king Satyavrata and on account of a curse by sage Vasistha, he
was later came to be known as TIRSHANU. 

PURANIC STORIES 26 

This is the SIXTH POSTING from the stories and episodes told
in BRAHMA PURANA. Further postings of episodes will be
continuing from Brahma purana. 

 Other than new stories and episodes, many stories told in Agni
purana and Matsya purana are re told, some with addition,
some with alteration in Brahma Purana. 

 The alterations and additions are given priority in this posting

and told in detail. I am thankful to all the members responding
to me to continue with puranic stories. Many members find
these stories interesting to tell grand children also. 

94 Sage Avurva 

In the SREEVATSA GOTHRAM the five pravaras sages are:

Bhargava, Chyavana, Aplavana, AVURA and Jamadagni. 

This posting is about SAGE AVURVA and how he is related in

the Bhageeratha story in the end. Only on reading  this
ithihasam in Brahma purana I got the information about sage
Avurva. 

Like me many members belonging to Sreevatsa Gothram may

be keenly interested to know ABOUT SAGE AVURVA. 

94.1 King Bahu in the lineage of king Trishanku 

In the last posting we have read about King Trishanku and

sage Viswamithra created a swargam for him called TRISHANU
SWARGAM 

It may be refreshing to read the great King HARICHANDRA was

the son of king Trishanku. We also would have read about
Lohithaksha, son of king Harichandra. 

We know Harichandra never lied or did anything untrue, and as

such in Malayalam there is a saying - “Are you Harichandran?” 

In the great lineage of king Harichandra descended a king

named Bahu. But king Bahu devoted too much to   pleasurable
pursuits. As a result the enemy kings seized this opportunity to
attack Bahu’s kingdom. They drove   king Bahu out and Bahu
went off to the forest with his queen Yadavi. 

94.2 Haiheya, Shakas, Yavana etc 

The enemy kings who dislodged king Bahu were led by the
Haihaya and Talajangha kings. They were aided by the Shakas,
Yavanas, Paradas, Kambojas and Pahlavas. 

94.3 Appearance of sage AVURVA 

King Bahu died in the forest. His wife Yadavi desired to die on
her husband’s funeral pyre. But since Yadavi was pregnant    at
the time, the sage Ourva persuaded her that such an
act      would be a sin. He brought Yadavi to his own hermitage
and began to take care of her. 

King Bahu had also had a second wife and she had once tried
to poison Yadavi. The poison (gara) had however done Yadavi
no     harm and emerged when the new baby was born to
queen Yadavi. Since the baby was    born together with poison,
he came to be known as Sagara. (Later king Sagara) 

The sage Ourva took care of Sagara’s education. He imparted

to Sagara the knowledge of all the shastras and also the
usage   of weapons. Amongst other things, Sagara acquired the
skill of    using a divine weapon known as agneyastra. 

When he grew up, Sagara attacked the Haihaya kings and

defeated them through the use of agneyastra. He then
defeated   the Shakas, Yavanas, Paradas, Kambojas and
Pahlavas and was about to kill them all. 

94.5 Sage Vasistha interfere persuading king Sagara   not to

kill enemy kings 

But these enemy kings fled to the sage Vasistha for refuge and
Vasistha persuaded Sagara not to     kill his enemies. 

94.6 Special way of shaving heads 

Instead, the heads of the Shakas were half   shaven off. The

Yavanas and Kambojas had their heads completely shaven. The
Pahlavas were instructed that they    would have to keep
beards. 

These enemy kings also lost all right to follow the religion laid
down in the Vedas. 

Amongst the other kings whom Sagara defeated were the

Konasarpas, the   Mahishakas, the Darvas, the Cholas and the
Keralas. 

94.7 Two queens of king sagara 

King Sagara had two wives. The first was named Keshini and
she was the daughter of the king of Vidarbha. 

The Brahma Purana   does not tell us the name of the second

wife, but from the Mahabharata we know that it was Sumati.
Keshini and Sumati had   no sons. They therefore began to
pray to Ourva so that they might have sons.

94.8 Sage AVURVA BLESS QUEENS Sumati and Keshini 

Sage Ourva was pleased with the prayers of queens and said,
both of them will    have sons. But one of them will have a
single son and the other   will have sixty thousand sons. He
wanted the option- who want what. 

Queen Keshini asked for a single son and Sumati asked for
sixty thousand sons. In due course, Keshini gave birth to a son
named Panchajana. Sumati gave birth to a gourd. Inside
the    gourd there was a lump of meat. The gourd was placed
inside a   pot full of clarified butter. And from the lump of     
meat were born sixty thousand sons. 

95.  Aswamedha yaga by king sagara 

King Sagara proceeded to conquer the entire earth. As

recognition of this conquest, he initiated an ashvamedha
yajna  (horse sacrifice). In this ceremony, the sacrificial horse
was   left free to wander all over the earth. THE SIXTY
THOUSAND SONS ACCOM-PANIED THE HORSE AS ITS
GUARDS. 

95.1 Sage Kapila burn 60000 sons to ashes 

The horse eventually    reached the shores of the ocean that

lies towards the    southeast. While Sagara’s sons were resting,
the horse was stolen by some body.. The sons started to look
for the horse and began to   dig up the sands in their search.
In this process, they came   upon the sage Kapila. Kapila had
been meditating and his meditation was disturbed by the
terrible din that Sagara’s   sons made. 
 He gazed at them in fury and all but four of the sons were
burnt to ashes. The four sons who were saved were Varhiketu,
Suketu, Dharmaketu and Panchajana. 

{NOTE- The Brahma Purana is slightly confused here. Was

Panchajana Keshini’ son or Sumati’s son? There is some
inconsistency with the account given in the Mahabharata. 

In the Mahabharata, it is Keshini who gave birth to sixty

thousand sons and it is Sumati who had a single son named
Asmanja. Also in the   Mahabharata, all sixty thousand sons
were burnt to ashes}.

95.2 King sagara recover yagaswam 

The sacrificial horse was obtained by king Sagara later from the
ocean. That is the reason why the ocean is referred to as
sagara. 

95.3 King Bhageeratha story 

We all have studied in primary classes about King Bhageeratha,

and how he got released Ganga to flow to pathala to release
the curse of sage Kapila of his ancestors. From this there is the
saying “Bhageeratha prayatnam” for hardest and impossible
works. 

King Panchajana’s son was Amshumana and Amshumana’s son

was king Dilipa. King Dilipa had a son named Bhagiratha. 

Bhagiratha brought down the     river Ganga from heaven to

earth and thus redeemed his ancestors who had been burnt to
ashes by Kapila. It was because of this that the river Ganga
came to be known as Bhagirathi. 

96. Who was king Rama of epic Ramayana? 

From Bhagiratha was descended king Raghu. Raghu’s son was

king Aja.  Aja’s son king Dasharatha and Dasharatha’s son was
Rama.    From king Rama our mother land India has got the
name RAMARAJYAM. 

. 
WHAT I LEARNT – Sage Avurva brought up the pregnant wife
of king Bahu with out jumping to funeral pyre since she was
conceived. The son born to her was the great king Sagara.
Sagara was taught all sasthras and Vedas by sage Avurva. 

In the lineage of king sagara, came king Bhageeratha, in his

lineage king Aja, and Sree Rama was born to king Dasaratha
and he was the grand son of king Aja. 

The clear lineage of Soorya vamsa appear now: - King

Trishanku- King Harichara- King sagara- King Bhageeratha-
king Dasaratha- king Sreerama. 

PURANIC STORIES 27 

This is the SEVENTH POSTING from the stories and episodes

told in BRAHMA PURANA. Further postings of episodes will be
continuing from Brahma purana. 

97. Birth of Moon God 

There lived a sage by name Atri. Atri performed very

difficult   tapasya. So difficult was the tapasya that Atri’s
energy was    thrown up into the sky. The sky could not bear
the energy and   hurled it down onto the earth. This energy
then gave birth to Soma or Chandra, the moon god. Brahma
took Chandra in his chariot and drove the chariot around the
earth twenty-one times. From whatever energy was left after
Chandra had been created, the herbs were born. 

97a. My note – Variation of the Legend 

 This story told in Brahma Purana do not relate to the power of

Anasuya wife of sage Atri. There is a variation of the story, due
to pathi bhakthi Anasyua had extreme powers and Narada told
the same to the wives of thrimoorthies. On the compulsion of
their wives, the thrimoorthies came to test it to the hermit of
sage Atri when sage Atri was away on some important work. 
 Thrimoorthies took the from of three elderly Brahmins and
asked sati Anasyua to serve them food with out cloth on her
body. 

 Anasuya had kept the charanamritham of the sage Atri. With

out any hesitation she sprinkled it on the Brahmins and they
became infants. Then Anasuya breast-fed them. 

What to do? The wives not finding their husbands came to Sati
Anasuya and prayed to her. They got the original forms and the
three kids became Dattathreya, Moon God and Durvasa. It is
Brahma who became Moon God. 

98. Moon God Chandra perform rajasuya yanja. 

Chandra performed very difficult tapasya for one

hundred    padma years. It is pretty long period. After the
meditation was over, Brahma appointed Chandra lord over
seeds, herbs, brahmanas and the oceans. 

Chandra also performed a rajasuya  yajna (royal sacrifice) as a

celebration of his lordship at that time. This   gave him a lot of
pomp, glory, wealth and respect to Moon God. 

But all this merely served to turn Chandra’s head. The guru  of
the gods was the sage Brihaspati. He is the planet Brahaspathi
now we refer. Guru had three wives.. They were SUBHA ,
MAMTA AND TARA. 

 98a. Abduction of Tara by Moon God 

Brihaspati  attended the yanja with his pretty young wife  Tara.

Chandra’s eye fell on her and he  abducted Tara. It appears
Tara too liked Chandra to certain extent. Despite the gods and
the sages asking Chandra to return Tara., the moon god   does
not  listen. 

98b. Taraka maya samgrama 

A terrible war then raged over Tara, the  gods fighting for

Brihaspati and the demons fighting for   Chandra. 

Shukracharaya, the guru of the demons, fought on   Chandra’s

side and Lord Shiva fought on Brihaspati’s side. This
war    (samgrama) came to be known as tarakamaya
samgrama, since it     was fought over Tara. 

98c. Tarabalam joke 

 I recollect the joke once I told to  my wife- You see our
Sasthrikal recite –“Tarabalam, Chandra balam Thathaiva, Vidya
balam, Deiva balam thathaiva,om, Lakshmi pathathe,
Angriyugam smarami…” 

This Tara sasthikal  refer is the power for Guru. That is why

Moon God kept her and Guru wanted her back. I am not sure
whether innocently she believed it….) 

TARA BALAM IS ACTUALLY THE POWER OF THE STAR ON THE

DAY in  which the function is performed and Sasthrikal recite
accordingly( Not the Tara Guru Moon God episode). 

99. Birth of Buddha- The planet Mercury and Chandra vamsam 

Finally Brahma intervened and a truce was called. But

Chandra  and Tara had by then had a son, and Brihaspati
refused to  accept this son as his own. This son was Buddha.
This is the beginning of Lunar Dynasty.. 

Buddha married Ila and they had a son named Pururava.

Pururava- Urvasi story I have written many times in the
group. 

In Chandra vamsam( Lunar Dynasty)  the first-born was

Buddha. The next was king Pururava. 

100 Story of King Yayati 

In the lunar dynasty later there were many kings  and among

them was born a powerful king named  Nahusha. King Nahusha
married Viraja and they had six sons named Yati., Yajati,
Samyati, Ayati, Yati and Suyati. 

But Yati desired to be  a hermit.   So although Yayati was not

the eldest, he was crowned  as king      after Nahusha. 

100a Lineage of Yayati 

King Yayati had two wives. The first was Devayani, daughter
of  Shukracharaya. And the second was Sharmishtha, daughter
of   Vrishaparva, the king of the danavas. 

The failure love affair of Kaccha- Devayani I have written many

times in the forum. After that  Devayani married king Yayati. 

Devayani had two sons   named Yadu and Turvasu and

Sharmishtha had three sons named   Druhya, Anu and Puru.
Yayati conquered the whole earth and     ruled over it. When he
became old, he divided the earth   amongst his five sons. 

Yadu was given the lands to the east,  Puru the lands in the
centre, Turvasu the lands to the south    and southeast,
Druhya those to the north and Anu those to the   west. 

 101 King Yayati desires young age 

 Yayati gave up his weapons and decided to travel

throughout    the world. He called Yadu to him and said-“ I
wish to explore   the world and my old age is a
hindrance. Please accept my old  age and give your youth in
return”. 

  But king Yadu refused. “ I will not, he said. One cannot eat
well when  one is old, nor can one pleasure the comforts of the
world.     Old age is not pleasant. Ask one of my brothers
instead”. 

Yadu’s refusal angered Yayati. He cursed Yadu that he or

his   descendants would never be kings. Yayati next asked his
sons  Druhya, Turvasu and Anu, but they too refused and
were    similarly cursed by their father. 

101a. King Puru agrees to give young age 

But Puru agreed to his   father’s request and gladly accepted

the old age. He was blessed by his father Yayati. 

After many years had passed, Yayati got tired of the world
travel and returned Puru’s youth to him. He accepted back his
old age and     retired to the forest to meditate. Let us see the
kings in the lineage of Puru in next posting. 
MY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT- Sri Dilip kumar Raveendran had
earlier posted in US Brahmins Group as series Brahma
purana.  This article has inputs from his posting with a lot of
my additions. 

WHAT I LEARNT –1.There is a different version about the birth

of Moon God other than Anasuya story.2.The war over Tara is
called Taramaya samgrama.

PURANIC STORIES 28 

I have read a very beautiful description about the 14 worlds in

the Brhama purana. I thought the same can be today’s posting 

102. Patalas 

Below the earth lie the seven regions of the under world called
as patala. Their names are Atala, Vitala, Nitala, Sutala,
Talatala, Rasatala and Patala. The daityas, danavas and the   
snakes (sarpa) live there. 

102a Visit of Narada to underworld 

The underworld is a wonderful place, MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN

HEAVEN ITSELF. 

The sage Narada once went on a trip to the underworld and

was bowled over by its beauty. It is full of palaces and jewels. 

The sun rises there, but does not radiate too much of heat. The
moon also rises, but its beam are not at a by beautiful trees
and the ponds are thick with lotus flowers, the songs of cuckoo
birds are heard everywhere.  

Below the underworld sleeps a great snake, known as Shesha

or Ananta. It   has a thousand hoods, all covered with jewels.
In fact, this   snake is really Vishnu in one of his various forms.

 MY NOTE- Mahabali was sent to underworld in

vamanavatharta. For clarification underworlds are other worlds
in the universe. Hence a different sun, moon, birds etc? .
 102 b Yama loka 

Also part of the world are hells (naraka), presided over by

Yama, the god of death. Those are full of weapons, fire and  
poisons and sinners are sent there to be punished. 

People committing sins   are punished by despatch to one of

the several hells are lying there. Some types of sins told in
Brahma purana are; murder, killing cows, destroying cities,
drinking, killing brahmanas, theft, selling wine or hair,
criticizing the Vedas, insulting elders, destroying forests etc.
Each sinner receives a punishment that is in-proportion to the
severity of his sin.

OF COURSE, IF ONE PERFORMS PENANCE (PRAYASHCHITTA)

FOR ONE’S SIN, ONE NEED NOT GO TO NARAKA. THE BEST
FORM OF PENANCE IS PRAYING TO KRISHNA.What a
coincidence- just now I have returned from Iskon temple in
Bangalore and took the topic to write. 

103 Limits of earth 

The earth (prithivi or bhuloka) extends upto those parts of  the
sky that can be lit up by the rays of the sun and the moon. The
expanse from there to the solar circle is known as  bhuvarloka
and holy sages live there.

Above the solar circle   is the lunar circle and beyond it, in
succession, come the   regions of Mercury (Budha), Venus
(Shukra), Mars (Mangala), Jupiter (Brihaspati), Saturn (Shani),
the Great Bear constellation (saptarshi) and the Pole Star
(Dhruva). 

104 Which worlds are swarga 

The region from the solar circle to Dhruvaloka is known as

heaven (svarloka or svarga). 

Beyond Dhruvaloka is Maharloka and  further away, Janaloka,

Brahma’s sons live in Janaloka. 

Beyond Janaloka are Tapaloka and Satyaloka. At the end of a

kalpa, all the three lokas (regions) of BHULOKA, BHUVARLOKA
AND SVARLOKA ARE DESTROYED. So swargam will get
destroyed in a pralayam.

But the four lokas of Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapaloka and

Satyaloka are not destroyed. 

MY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT- Sri Dilip kumar Raveendran had

earlier posted in US Brahmins Group as series Brahma purana. 
This article has maximum  inputs from his posting with my
additions. 

WHAT I LEARNT – An excellent description of fourteen worlds 

PURANIC STORIES 29

I have read a very beautiful story occurred in the Satyayuga

from the Brhama purana about Puri temple. The story slightly
differs from what I heard earlier. I thought the same can be
today’s posting.

105 King Indradyumna

In Satya yuga there was a king by name Indradyumna. He was

a very powerful king, as powerful as Indra himself with all god
qualities.

Indradyumna was a devotee of Lord Maha Vishnu. He once

decided that he would worship Vishnu. Indradyumna scanned
all the existing tirthas and cities. None of them, he felt, was
appropriate as a place for worshiping Vishnu.

Indradyumna’s own capital was the city of Avanti. There was a

temple to Shiva in the city. This was known as the temple of
Mahakala. The image there was so sacred that worshipping
Shiva in the temple of Mahaka was tantamount to performing
one thousand ashvamedha yajnas.

The river Shipra flowed past Avanti. On the banks of the river
there was a temple to Vishnu known as Govindasvami. Another
temple to Vishnu was named Vikramasvami.

105A Indradyumna search for a new temple of Vishnu

But Indradyumna was not satisfied with these temples. He

wanted to build another temple to Vishnu. He left Avanti in
search of a proper place. His soldiers and subjects
accompanied their king, so that it looked as if the entire city of
Avanti was on the march. After travelling for many days, they
arrived on the shores of the southern ocean, the ocean that is
known as lavana samudra.

There were so many waves in the ocean that the ocean itself
seemed to be dancing. Marine animals lived in the ocean and
the waters were also the source of all sorts of jewels.

105B Indradyumna arrive at Puri

Indradyumna began to live on the shores of the ocean. He

discovered a place near the ocean that was thick with flower
and fruit trees. Many types of birds gathered there to eat the
fruit. This was the place known as Purushottama kshetra, the
city of Puri of modern times.

105C Hidden knowledge

Purushottama kshetra was an important tirtha. But all

knowledge of this tirtha had been hidden until Indradyumna
arrived on the scene. There was a reason for this.

Many years ago, there used to be an image of Vishnu there,

where people used to pray. So sacred was the image that all
the sins of the worshippers were immediately forgiven. The
result was that Yama could not punish any of the sinners. They
simply prayed to Vishnu’s image and escaped.. Yama therefore
prayed to Vishnu for a solution. Vishnu there for hid the image
under the sand so that no one knew that it existed. So when
king Indradyumna went there, there was no idol.

105.D Indradyumna construct temple for Vishnu with help of

near by kings
The river Mahanadi or Chitroplala flowed not very far away. The
people who lived around the place were religious. He decided
that this was the right place for building a temple to Vishnu. On
an auspicious day, the foundation stone was laid.

Indradyumna then got in touch with the kings of Kalinga,

Utkala and Koshala.. He requested their help in fetching stones
for the building of the temple. The kings sent their architects to
the Vindhya mountains. The stones were gathered from these
mountains and brought to Purushottama Kshetra in boats and
chariots. Messengers were also sent to several other kings for
aid. They came with their armies and with a lot of wealth.

105 E Indradyumna perform aswamedha yanja

Indradyumna told the assembled kings that he wishes to

accomplish two difficult tasks. The first is to perform an
ashvamedha yajna there. The second is to build a temple to
Vishnu as programmed.

The place where the yajna was to behold was made entirely
out of gold. In fact, all the objects used in the yajna were made
out of gold. Brahmanas from all over Jambudvipa came to
witness the sacrifice. They were donated elephants, horses and
cows as danam. Never has there been any other sacrifice to
rival the one that Indradyumna performed.

105F Get Idol to be installed from Lord Vishnu

After the sacrifice was over and the temple built, there
remained the more important question of the idol.
Indradyumna began to pray to Vishnu for guidance.

Vishnu appeared before Indradyumna in a dream and said,

Why are you so miserable? When the sun rises, got to the
shores of the ocean. There you will find a tree. Half of the tree
is in the water and the remaining half in the sand. Chop down
this tree. Its wood will give you the material for the image.

105 G Idol made from wood

In the morning, Indradyumna went to the seashore and found

the tree. It was just as Vishnu had described it to be. With an
axe, he chopped down the tree. As he was about to slice the
trunk in two, two Brahmins appeared before him. Although
Indradyumna did not know it, these two Brahmins were Vishnu
and Vishvakarma in disguise.

“King, what have you done”? Exclaimed the Brahmins. You

have cut down the only tree that was on the shores of the
ocean.

“Forgive me, replied Indradyumna. I wished to make an image

of Vishnu. Vishnu has instructed me in a dream that this is the
tree from which the image should be made”.

“That is an excellent idea”, said one of the Brahmin who was

Vishnu in disguise. There is nothing so holy as praying to
Vishnu. Meet my companion. He is as skilled as the great
Vishvakarma himself. If you want, he will build the image for
you. King Indradyumna agreed.

105 H Brahmin (Viswa karma )makes the idol in minutes

As instructed by 1st Brahmin (Vishnu), the second Brahmin

(Vishvakarma) started to build the image. Or, to be more
accurate, began to make three different images.

The first one was that of Balarama. This was completely WHITE
IN COLOUR, except for the eyes, which were red. The image
was dressed in blue and snake held its hood over Balarama’s
head. A club and a mace were in Balarama’s hands.

The second image was Krishna’s. This was BLUE IN COLOUR,

with eyes like lotus flowers. The image was dressed in yellow
and had a chakra in it’s hand.

The third image was that of Krishna’s sister Subhadra. This

image was GOLDEN IN COLOUR and was dressed in wonderful
clothes.

When Indradyumna discovered that the images were made in a

matter of minutes, he was wonder struck. He realized that the
two brahmins could not be mere mortals. He fell at their feet
and said, Please tell me who you are.. You cannot be humans.

105 I Vishnu and Viswakarma reveal their identity

Vishnu and Vishvakarma then revealed their true selves and

Indradyumna was thrilled. Vishnu blessed the king and told him
that he would rule for ten thousand and nine hundred years.

And after Indradyumna died, a place would be reserved for him

in heaven. On an auspicious day, the three images were
instated in the temple.
WHAT I LEARNT – I have read SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT story
about idols of Puri temple else where. There it was told while
making of idol the shilpi should not be disturbed, if disturbed,
they should be installed in the condition either half way or
three fourth of making of those idols .

Idols were started making inside an enclosure by the shilpi. But

not hearing any sound, king peeped after a month or so and
found the idols 75% completed. Since the shilpi was disturbed
the idol was installed 75% completed condition

PURANIC STORIES 30

I have read slightly different story about Ganga and Parvati

connected with Maha Bali in the Brahma purana. I thought the
same can be shared with you.

106 Mahabali story in short.

There was a king of the daitya named Bali. He was powerful

and invincible. He was also righteous and truthful. The gods
could not bear to see Bali’s prosperity. So well did Bali rule that
disease, drought and evil disappeared throughout the three
worlds.

Mahabali attacked devalokam and defeated the Gods. In

desperation, the gods approached Vishnu. Please do something
about Bali, they requested.

“There is no difference between Bali and the gods so far as I

am concerned”- replied Vishnu. Bali is devoted to me. I cannot
therefore fight with him. But I will think of a way so that his
kingdom might be taken away from him and given to you.

Vishnu decided to be born as Aditi’s son. The son was a dwarf.

This was the vamana avatara (dwarf incarnation) of Vishnu.

In the mean while Bali proposed to organize a horse sacrifice.

Shukracharya was the chief priest. The dwarf also arrived to
witness the yajna among sages and other great people.

Shukracharya realized that the dwarf was none other than

Vishnu. He told Bali. “I suspect that this dwarf is Vishnu in
disguise. He must have come here to ask you for something.
Please do not grant him anything without first consulting me”

Certainly not, replied Bali. It is good fortune indeed that the

great Vishnu has come to my house. WHAT IS THERE TO
CONSULT YOU ABOUT? I shall grant Vishnu whatever he wants.

Bali went to the dwarf to ascertain what the dwarf wanted. The
dwarf (Vishnu) expressed the wish that he might be given as
much of land as might be covered in three of the dwarf’s steps.

This boon Bali readily granted. But no sooner than the boon
had been granted, the dwarf adopted a gigantic form. He
places one foot on Bali ’s yajna and the second on Brahmaloka.

Where will I place my third step? Demanded Vishnu. There is

no more space left in the entire universe. Find a place for my
third step. Bali smiled and said“ Place it on my Head”.

Vishnu was charmed at Bali ’s generosity. He granted Bali the

boon that Bali would hold the title of Indra in a future
manvantara. He then appointed Bali king of the underwold. But
Indra’s kingdom of heaven, which Bali had conquered, was
returned to Indra. HERE MY VARIATION OF STORY BEGINS.

107. Origin of Ganga

Brahma had all this while been in Brahmaloka. When Vishnu

placed his second foot on Brahmaloka, Brahma felt that he
should welcome and worship the foot. He used holy water from
his kamandalu to wash the foot. The water spilled over from
the foot and fell on the mountains. There the water divided into
four.

Vishnu accepted the flow that went northwards.

The flow that went westwards returned to Brahma’s

kamandalu.

The flow that went eastwards was gathered up by the gods and
the sages.

But the flow that went southwards got entangled in Shiva’s

matted hair. This water was the river Ganga.

108.King Bhagiratha and sage Gauthama bring Ganga water

from mattered hair of Lord Siva

Part of the water of the Ganga that got stuck in Shiva’s hair
was brought down to earth by Bhagiratha. The remaining part
was brought down by the sage Goutama.

109 Parvati desire to remove Ganga from Siva’s mattered hair.

Parvati was married to Shiva, but Shiva seemed to be fond of

Ganga than of Parvati. Parvati resolved that a way had to be
found to remove Ganga from Shiva’s hair. She tried requesting
Lord Siva, but Shiva refused to listen.

At the time, there was a terrible drought on earth, which went

on for fourteen years. The only place that was not affected by
the drought was the sage Goutama’s hermitage. Other people
also gathered in the hermitage to save themselves from the
drought and Goutama welcomed them all.

110 Lord Ganesha devise a method to help his mother

Ganesha thought that he might be able to devise a way to free

his mother of the Ganga problem. He went and began to live in
Goutama’s hermitage.

Ganesha cultivated the acquaintance of the other sages and

became quite friendly with them.

One of Parvati’s companions was Jaya. Ganesha asked Jaya to

adopt the form of a cow and up the grain in Goutama’s fields.
And the moment she was struck, she was to lie down on the
ground and pretend to be dead.

110a Jaya falls down as if dead

Goutama noticed that a cow eating up his grain. He tried to

drive away the cow by striking with a blade of grass. As soon
as he did this, the cow uttered a shrill bellow and fell down on
the ground.

Ganesh and the other sages came running to see what had
happened. They discovered that, a cow had been struck down
dead by sage Goutama. They therefore refused to stay in an
ashrama where such a sin had been committed.

Goutama tried to restrain them. Please do not go away and

forsake me, he said. Tell me how I may perform penance.

110b Ganesha ask Gouthama to bring down Ganga from Siva’s

mattered hair

You will have to bring down Ganga from Shiva’s hair, replied
Ganesha. When that water touches the dead body of the cow,
your sin will be forgiven.

Ganesha was so friendly with the other sages that they all
accepted his solution. Goutama also agreed to do the needful.

110c Sage Gouthama pray to Lord Siva

Accordingly, Goutama went to Mount Kailasa and began to pray

to Shiva. Shiva was pleased at Goutama’s tapasya and offered
to grant a boon.

Goutama naturally wanted the boon that Ganga might be

brought down to earth.. Shiva agreed.

110d Ganga become Gowthami

It was thus that Ganga was brought down to earth by the sage
Goutama. Ganga has four tributaries in heaven, seven on earth
and four in the underworld. Since it was Goutama who brought
Ganga down to earth, the river is also known as Goutami
Ganga.

WHAT I LEARNT – The origin of name Gauthami for Ganga was

known to me but the involvement of sage Gauthama is new
information I read from Brahma purana. The disliking of
Paravati to Ganga story is new to me
Stories &Anecdotes

1.Agasthya

Birth of Agasthya

Once up on a time Mithra (Sun) and Varuna (the God of rain)

happened to fall in love with the

celestial nymph Urvasi. On seeing the pretty dancer, their

semen leaked out of them and this was

preserved in a pitcher. Out of the pitcher was born two great

sages - Agasthya and Vasishta.

Together they were called Maithra Varunas. Because he was

born out of a pitcher, Agasthya was

also called Kumbha Sambhava or Kumbha muni. He was

supposed to have existed some 4000 years

before the commencement of Kali Yuga and is believed to be

still living in Tamil Nadu by devotees.

A folk lore in the Sidha Medicine has a different story to tell. It

Says that Sage Agasthiyar was born

about 4573 years prior to the commencement of Kali Yuga at a

place in Gujarat. His father Bhargava

(Savithru - one of the 14 Adithyas) was well learned while his

mother Indumathi was from Punjab on

the banks of the Indus River. They were both devotees of the
Pasupatha order of the sage Rishabha

Muni.

Education
Sage Agasthya was supposed to be one of the very learned
sages of his time. Nothing much is

known as to who were his Guru etc. In many Puranas, he is

being taught by Sage Hayagreeva, who

was one of the incarnations of Vishnu. In fact the great Lalitha

Sahasranama Stotram and Lalitha

Trishathi were taught to him by Sage Hayagreeva at the

express orders of Goddess Lalitha Tripura

Sundari to Sage Hayagreeva. Sage Drona who was a teacher of

Pandavas learned the art of war

from his Guru Agni Vesa, who himself is supposed to have

learnt it from Sage Agasthya. Sage

Agasthya was the one who is credited to have written the first
book of grammar of the Tamil

language. He also has been credited to have found and

popularized the Sidha system of medicine in

Tamil Nadu. He is also supposed to be the founder of the Nadi

astrology of Tamil Nadu. The Keralites

claim, that he was the one who was responsible for teaching
them the martial art of Kalari Payittu.

Marriage

One day Sage Agasthya was traveling through the forest and
his Pithru devathas (Manes) were found

hanging upside down on forest trees. When he asked them,

why this fate came to them, they replied,

that since Agasthya did not have a son, they were forced to
undergo this type of suffering. Agasthya

promised them that he would get married. He collected all that

is good from every being on earth and
created a baby girl. At that time the king of Vidharbha was
doing great penance to get a child.

Agasthya presented the king with the baby he had created. She
was named as Lopa Mudhra and

brought up under great luxurious circumstances. When she

reached marriageable age, Agasthya

requested her hand in marriage from the king of Vidharbha.

Though the king was terribly afraid of the

sage, he indicated to him, that he is not willing to give his

daughter in marriage to him. But Lopa

Mudhra, told her father that she wanted to marry Agasthya.

Since he used to walk on forests and

mountains, wanting not to trouble his wife, Agasthya used to

give her a micro form and carry her in

his pitcher. Due to the wish of Lord Shiva, Agasthya traveled

south and settled down there. Due to

the very odorous journey that he had to undertake, Lord Shiva

gave a boon to Agasthya that his

pitcher would be full of water always. At that time, the South

India was extremely dry with small

streams which were seasonal. Once when Agasthya had gone

to take bath and Lord Ganesa took the

form of a crow and overturned Agasthya’s pitcher. Lopa

Mudhra along with the perennial water from

the pitcher turned in to the mighty river Kaveri, which is

perennial. She was called Kaveri because

she was spread by a crow [Kaa (crow) Viri (spread)].

There is yet another story of Sage Agasthya’s marriage from

South India. It seems there was a hunter
king called Kavera near the Brahma Giri mountain ranges of
Coorg. His only aim in life was to do

good to his country. He did great penance to propitiate Lord

Shiva. At last Shiva came in person.

Kavera only wanted the good of his people. Lord Shiva blessed
him with a daughter called Kaveri and

told him that his wish would be fulfilled through her. Sage
Agasthya happened to visit Brahma Giri.

Kavera then gave his daughter in marriage to Sage Agasthya.

Agasthya and Kaveri lead a very

happy life there. But at that time due to the tyrannical rule of
an Asura called Surapadma, the entire

South India was in the grip of a terrible famine. One day while
Sage Agasthya was going to take bath,

there was no one to care of Kaveri. So he turned her in to

water and placed her in his holy pitcher.

Lord Ganesa took the form of a crow and upturned the pitcher.
The water which came out of the

pitcher became a stream and then a very great perennial river

called Kaveri.

Humbling of Vindhya Mountain

The greatest mountain in India always was Maha Meru, which

literally touches the sky. The Sun and

Moon were supposed to go round that mountain. The Vindhya

ranges which are in the middle of India

got very jealous of this state of affairs and started growing

taller and taller. A stage came when the

Sun and the moon were not able to travel to the South. So
Indra requested Agasthya to do something
about it. It was at this time that Lord Shiva decided to marry
Goddess Parvathi. People all over the

world started traveling to Himalayas to attend Lord Shiva’s

marriage. Due to this earth started tilting

north wards. God Shiva had to stop this so he requested Sage

Agasthya (whom he thought as equal

to all people on earth) to travel towards the south, so that the

great penance he did will balance the

earth. Unwillingly Sage Agasthya traveled to south. On his way

he was forced to cross the Vindhya

Mountain which was extremely tall. Sage Agasthya requested

the Vindhya Mountain to become tiny

so that he can easily cross it. The Vindhyas acceded to the

request of sage Agasthya. Sage

Agasthya requested the mountain to be tiny till he came back

to North. The mountain agreed to this

also. But sage Agasthya settled in south of India and never

went back.

Killing of Vatapi

After his marriage to Lopa Mudhra, she wanted Sage Agasthya

to dress himself in finery and be well

ornamented. Since he loved her dearly and since he did not

have any wealth to buy the dresses and

ornaments, Agasthya is supposed to have approached a king

called Srutharva. Unfortunately that

king did not have excess wealth to share and so in turn

Agasthya approached King Bradhnaswara

and Rich man Trasadasyu. Both of them expressed their

inability to pay the money required by
Agasthya. Then Agasthya was directed to approach, a very rich
Rakshasa called Ilvala.

Ilwala was living in Manimalpathan along with his brother

Vatapi. Once Ilwala had approached a

Brahmin sage o bless him with a child. Since the Brahmin sage
refused, Ilvala and Vatapi became

very angry at Brahmins. Whenever any Brahmin came to their

house, Ilwala used to offer them a

feast. Vatapi used to take a form of a sheep and this sheep was
cut, cooked and served to the

Brahmins by Ilwala. Once the Brahmin has eaten his food,

Ilwala used to call Vatapi come out. Then

Vatapi used to come out tearing the stomach of the Brahmin.

The same drama was unfolded before

Sage Agasthya. However, when Ilvala called Vatapi come out,

Agasthya fondling his stomach, told

Digest, Oh Vatapi. Vatapi was digested. Ilvala gave sufficient

money to Agasthya. Agasthya Drinks Sea

When Vruthrasura was troubling the devas, very much,

Devendra waged a war against him and killed

him by using deceit. Two of his generals of Vruthrasura,

Kalakeyas however escaped. Indra

requested Agni and Vayu to chase and destroy them. However

Kalakeyas went deep in to the sea

and hid there. Every day after sunset they used to come out
and used to cause lot of trouble to the

great sages, Devas and Men. Devas approached Lord Vishnu

for help. Lord Vishnu told them that the

only method of catching them was by drying the sea and the
only one who was capable of doing it
was Agasthya. The devas approached Agasthya for help.
Agasthya readily agreed and drank all the

waters of the sea and made it dry. Kalakeyas were killed. The
drying of ocean, lead to famine. Devas

again approached Vishnu. Vishnu told them that a king called

Bhageeratha would come and fill up the

ocean with the water of the Ganges brought from heaven.

Agasthya got a golden bangle

Once Sage Agasthya reached a very huge empty forest. When

he walked deep in to the forest he

saw some Gandharwas and Apsaras dancing there. Suddenly

from their midst a great soul came out.

It ate a corpse which was lying there. Then that soul

perambulated and saluted Sage Agasthya. He

told him as follows, “I am Swetha the son of the great king

Vidarbha belonging to the Treta Yuga. I

ruled my country for a long time, without doing any charity

came to this forest and did Tapas here.

Then I left my body and reached heaven. But in heaven I was

feeling the pangs of hunger and when I

approached Lord Brahma told me that this is because, while in

earth, I have not given anything to

anybody. He told me to visit this forest daily and eat a corpse

lying there to satisfy my hunger. He

also told me that when I complete eating 10000 corpses, I

would be able to see you and with your

blessings get rid of my perennial hunger in the heaven”. Thus

saying he presented Sage Agasthya

with a golden bangle. Agasthya blessed him. Agasthya cursed

King Nahusha
Devendra killed Vruthrasura by deceit. Because of this a sin
engulfed him and he was forced to hide

in the earth. At this time a king called Nahusha completed the

performance of one hundred

Aswamedha Yagas. Because of this he got the position of

Indra. Once he started ruling the devas ,

Nahusha started misbehaving with everybody. He wanted Sachi

Devi, the wife of Indra to live with

him as his wife. Sachi Devi did not like this at all. She sought
the protection of Brahaspathi, the

teacher of all devas. Nahusha called Brahaspathi and

threatened him. Then Brahaspathi told Sachi

Devi that he was helpless and advised her to find out her
husband Indra. Sachi Devi told Nahusha

that she was willing to obey his whims but she would like to
see her husband who was hiding in earth

first. Nahusha agreed to this condition. With the help of

Goddess Parvathi, Sachi Devi found out

Indra. Indra said that unless he gets rid of his sin, he would
not be able to come back but he told her

to do a trick to get rid of Nahusha. Sachi Devi went back and

told Nahusha, that she will receive

Nahusha provided he comes to her house in a palanquin carried

by the Saptha Rishis (Seven very

great sages). The Saptha rishis included Sage Agasthya. Since

Nahusha was the king of devas, his

order had to be obeyed by them. Since Agasthya was short and

fat he was not able to walk fast and

the palanquin tilted at his end. Since Nahusha was in a hurry to

reach Sachi Devi’s house, Nahusha
kept on ordering them, Sarpa, Sarpa (Fast, fast). This
infuriated Sage Agasthya and he cursed that

Nahusha would indeed become a Sarpa (snake). Nahusha then

craved for forgiveness of Agasthya.

Sage Agasthya told him that Nahusha would get salvation on

seeing his descendants, the Pandavas

in the forest. Agasthya helped Lord Rama

During his sojourn in the forests Lord Rama along with

Lakshmana and Sita is supposed to have

visited the hermitage of Agasthya and stayed there. They also

took his advice as where they should

live in the forests.

During the war with Ravana in Sri Lanka, Lord Rama fought
with Ravana for a long time and was

tired and was not able to kill Ravana. At that stage the devas
sent sage Agasthya to advise him. Sage

Agasthya then taught Lord Rama, a prayer to Lord Sun called

Adhithya Hrudaya. Rama chanted this

prayer and got the ability to kill Ravana.

Agasthya cursed King Indra Dhyumna

There was a very great king called Indra Dhyumna in the

Pandya dynasty. This king was a great

devotee of Lord Vishnu. Once when Agasthya came to visit

him, the king was so drowned in his

devotion to Lord Vishnu, that he did not see or show hospitality

to Sage Agasthya. Sage Agasthya

cursed to him to become an elephant for 1000 years. This

elephant was called Gajendra. At this time
another sage called Devala cursed a Gandarwa called Huhu to
become a crocodile because he

disturbed his penance. Once the Elephant got in to the river in

which the crocodile was living. The

crocodile caught hold of the feet of the elephant. After a very

long time, the elephant called Lord

Narayana, who came and killed the crocodile. He also removed

the curse on Indra Dhyumna and

gave him salvation.

Agasthya cursed Thataka

Thataka was the daughter of a Yaksha called Sukethu. She was

born to him because of the blessing

of Lord Brahma. She had the strength of 1000 elephants. She

married another Yaksha called Sunda

and a son Mareecha was born to them. In a quarrel with

Agasthya ,Sunda was killed. Thataka and

Mareecha became very angry and attacked the hermitage of

Agasthya. Agasthya cursed them and

they became Rakshasas. Later they were killed by Lord Rama

and both of them attained salvation.

Agasthya turned a Vaishnavite temple to that of Shiva

Agasthya when he arrived from the northern parts of India was

a shaivite. He along with his wife

reached a place called Kutralam in Tamil Nadu. There was a

temple for Lord Vishnu in Kutralam.

Agasthya being a shaivite was refused entry in to the temple.

Agasthya by his miraculous powers

converted the statue of Vishnu inside the temple to Shiva

Lingam and demonstrated to the people
that Shiva and Vishnu were the same one God.

MOHINI AND EKADASI

Dear friends 

While surfing the net I could get a very beautiful story from
Narada Purana about an entirely new Mohini.

 The story told there in are about 90 pages and I have totally
edited to about 30  pages and presenting in three or four
postings. I hope members may enjoy the  reading

Love

chinu

 1.Yama Dharma Raja and Chitragupta keep seated with

saddened looks

Reason was nothing else. For a long time there is no soul

reaching  Yamaloka. All the hells became devoid of sinful
beings. The frightening, thorn-filled pathway leading to
Yamaraja’s hall was empty of all beings. 

Yamaraja and Chithraguptha were worried how they could

simply take  their payments with out doing any job. If a single
soul would have arrived they could have got a sigh of relief at
least. 

2. King Rukmangada and Ekadasi Vratha 

In the earth king Rukmangada was ruling .His queen was

Sandhya vali. His son crowned as junior prince was
Dharmangada.
 Rukmangada was very specific that all praja should observe
Ekadasi Vratha. On account of this every body met with death
had his reserved seat in the straight flight to Vaikunda from
Earth. Even there was no transit at Devaloka. This was the
reason for the sadness of Yamaraja and his assistant
Chitragupta. 

It was a standing rule in the kingdom of Rukmangada that all

citizens observe Ekadasi vow without fail. When Ekadashi
arrived the king would despatch his soldiers and Brahmins to
all parts of the kingdom. They would go out with elephants
bearing great drums that were beaten with a thunderous
sound. The royal messengers would then loudly declare,
“Tomorrow is the day of Vishnu. If any foolish person over the
age of eight and under eighty-five takes food grains, he or she
will be punished severely.

Everyone had given up all religious rituals except the vow of

Ekadashi. They made no offerings to their ancestors, nor gave
charitable gifts, visited pilgrimage sites or performed any other
rite. They simply fasted on Vishnu’s day and thereby achieved
all success in life. 

3. Sage Narada overviews situation

 In the course of his cosmic travels the sage Narada observed
that heaven and hell had become empty. He made a visit to
Yamaraja to understand his future plans if any or as usual to
propose a troublesome plan. 

Yamaraja discussed situation with sage Narada.  Yamaraja told

the sage about Rukmangada’s edict regarding Ekadashi.
“Chitragupta and the other writers are taking rest and I sit here
like a wooden deer. I have lost all desire for my post as the
world’s guardian.” 

Yamaraja informed Narada that he intended to visit Brahma,

the lord of all the gods. “I shall apprise him of my plight and
seek his assistance. Soon I shall be the sole resident of
hell. Narada made a big laugh at Yamaraja’s last remark like all
of us.Narada understood Yamaraja is already decided on his
visit.

4. Yamaraja goes to meet Brahma with Narada and

Chitragupta 

Yamaraja rose from his throne and departed for Brahma’s

world. He ordered Chitragupta to follow the sage. As such both
Narada and Chitragupta followed him. 

Like a bashful bride Yamaraja entered in amongst all these

beings and went before Lord Brahma with bent head , looking
down at the floor. 

“What is this? How is the son of the Sun god here? He is never
idle even for a moment. How his clerk Chitragupta too present
here? He has no seconds to leave the record book. He is empty
handed here. Every body present in the Brahma’s world
wondered.

5.Yamaraja describe the situation to Brahma 

Yamaraja fell flat before Brahma, like a tree cut at its base and
practically unconscious. The powerful wind-god Vayu raised
him up sprinkled water on his face. He was present in the
Brahma sabha among others. Chithra guptha assisted him to
get up.

 Vayu pacified him and said, “Who has attacked you? Have you
displaced from your kingdom and sent here? Tell us everything.

Yamaraja looked up and addressed Brahma in a voice choked

with tears. I have today been overpowered by King
Rukmangada.”

 On the mention of Rukmangada’s name a murmur went

around the assembly. His fame had reached to Brahma’s abode
also. 
Yamaraja described how the people had abandoned all other
religious practices except the Ekadashi vow. 

He sadly intimated –the dead go without fail to Vaikuntha,

taking with them their fathers, grandfathers, mother’s fathers
and three full generations of ancestors. Even those already in
hell were quickly released and on account of this my palace
makes a barren look.”

Yamaraja begged Brahma to take some  action. Otherwise

everyone in the whole world would be transported to Vaikuntha
thanks to Rukmangada.

6. Brahma create junior Satrupa 

The four-headed Brahma smiled at Yamaraja. It is no wonder

that all men are bypassing you to reach Vishnu’s abode “No
matter how sinful, if one remembers the Lord’s name at death
he is liberated from the bondage of worldly existence. What
wonder is there then that one gets liberation by fasting on
Vishnu’s day?”

 I may be able to help you with the devotees of Shiva or Surya

or my own devotees, but never with those of Hari. He is the
Lord of all.”

Brahma again said, “I do not know if I can assist you. It may

even destroy my own body if I try. My very post as Brahma has
been earned by associating with Vishnu’s devotees.”

Yamaraja was disconsolate. He felt unable to return to his post.

Yamaraja pleaded “I cannot discharge my duty while
Rukmangada rules over the world. If you can somehow shake
him from his courageous resolve I can  feel that all my needs
are gradually getting  back.

Brahma sat in meditation for some moments. Suddenly from

out of his form there appeared a celestial maiden of
resplendent beauty. She marvelled Satrupa. Brahma told her
she is Mohini.

She glanced about here and there enchanting all who saw her.
Everyone in the assembly gazed at her with unblinking eyes,
but Brahma closed his own eyes and endeavoured strongly to
control his mind. He did not want to create a scene as in the
case of Satrupa and well remembered his loss of 5th head.

Brahma took courage and opened his eyes to speak with the
girl. “Fair complexioned lady, I have mentally created you in
order to madden men’s minds.” 

The maiden bowed to Brahma and said, “Surely it is so. Just

see the entire universe bewildered and falling into
senselessness simply upon seeing me. Even among yogis and
sages there is no man who will not be agitated when his eyes
fall upon me.” 

7.Brahma commands Mohini.

 She asked Brahma to give command to her. “Tell me who I

should delude and consider it done. Even a stone will become
infatuated upon seeing me, what then of a man? 

Brahma smiled. “You have spoken the truth. There is nothing

you cannot achieve. You are attracting even my mind despite
my steadying it with the perfect knowledge. Upon seeing you
the very universe has become motionless.” 

Brahma instructed her to go to the earth and appear before

Rukmangada. She would find him on Mount Mandara. “There
you should wait, playing upon your lute and singing. Enchanted
by that song king Rugmangada will come to you, most
beautiful one, desiring your hand. Then you must make a
request of him.”

NEXT POSTING

 What were all requested by Mohini to Brahma? How King

Rugmangada lived with her?.. How King’s other wives treated
her? How was her relation with Dharmangada, chitrangada’s
son ? Could Mohini succeed? Wait for balance of the story

MOHINI AND EKADASI (PART II)

Continued From Part1

………….Brahma instructed Mohini to go to the earth and appear

before Rukmangada. She would find him on Mount Mandara.
“There you should wait, playing upon your lute and singing.
Enchanted by that song king Rukmangada will come to you,
most beautiful one, desiring your hand. Then you must make a
request of him.” Continue to Read ----------

1. Brahma’s instructions to Mohini

Brahma instructed Mohini to accept the king’s proposal of

marriage, but only on condition that he promised to do
whatever she asked of him. “He will not refuse and when the
time is right.
 

Brahma told her that she should then ask Rukmangada to give
up fasting and practising severe vows on Ekadashi, telling him
that it is a hindrance to their relationship.

Brahma also told her about the king’s son, Dharmangada. He

surpassed even his illustrious father. The prince had conquered
the entire universe, bringing all beings under his father’s sway.
He is dearer to Rukmangada than his own life.

Brahma continued, “Dear Lady, if the king refuses your request

to give up his vows on Ekadashi then you should ask for
Dharmangada’s head.”

Brahma told her to set off on her mission. As she left he

thought with in his mind “Either the king abides her by desire
and the people will again approach Yamaraja, or he will slay his
son and go with him to Vishnu’s immortal abode.”

Brahma was not sure to give a positive reply to Yamaraja.

 Mohini departed and Yamaraja felt sure his problem would

soon get solved though Brahma did not say anything more.
Yamaraja had a personal experience in this case.

2 Rukmangada desire to go over to Mandara Mountains

 
On earth King Rukmangada called his son Dharmangada. He
said, “I have discharged my duties as king. All men are
attaining salvation and the earth prospers. I wish now to go to
Mandara Mountain and enjoy some rest in that celestial region.

The king entrusted the kingdom to him and Dharmangada

replied, “Enjoy whatever pleasures you desire. Surely I shall
bear the heavy burden of your kingdom, ensuring that all your
edicts are kept. No other holy virtue appeals to me other than
following your directives. The prince bowed and touched his
father’s feet.

3. Dharmangada refreshes orders

 Dharmangada summoned the leading citizens and said, “While

I hold the rod of justice even Yamaraja cannot be the chastiser.
Always do your duty and remember Lord Vishnu. Do not take
food on Vishnu’s day. In this way be happy in this life and go to
Vaikuntha after death.”

The prince started ruling the kingdom exactly as his father had
done. A steady stream of souls continued to rise up to
Vaikuntha, while Yamaraja waited patiently for Mohini to exert
her irresistible charms on Rukmangada.

4. Rukmangada starts to Mandara Mountains

 The king took leave from his queen Sandhyavali. The queen
requested non-violence from the king while in the forest. He
said, “I have no desire to slay animals. My wish is only to
protect the sages in the forest and to get their holy company.
Hunting is merely a pretext for me.”
 

“We ride for Mandara Mountain.” He told soldiers following him.

Spurring on his horse, Rukmangada went at such a speed that
no one could keep pace with him..

It was a four or five-day ride to Mandara Mountain normally

but the king arrived there within a single day. Brahma knowing
the pathetic condition of Yama raja made his horse runs like
the satabdi nonstop express.  He reached a beautiful hermitage
at the foot of the mountain, which abounded in flowering and
fruit-laden trees.

5. Rukmangada goes to hermitage of sage Vamadeva

He went into the hermitage and saw the lustrous sage

Vamadeva who was surrounded by thousands of disciples. The
sage resembled a blazing fire covered by countless sparks and
Rukmangada immediately fell flat before him.

Vamadeva offered blessings and said to his disciples, “Here is

the Emperor Rukmangada. Offer him due respects.” After
worships sage Vamadeva told him “I think it is I who am
blessed by your presence. You are a highly praiseworthy
Vaishnava. What other king on earth could vanquish Yamaraja
and lead the entire world to Vaikuntha? The path to hell is
empty and desolate as a result of your great deeds.”

Vamadeva praised the king at length. Rukmangada was a rare

soul, a great exemplar among monarchs. As desired by the
king his past story was told to the king.

 
The sage Vamadeva blessed the king and told him to go to
anywhere which pleased him. Rukmangada bowed before the
sage and took his leave, riding out toward the great Mandara
hill.

6. King Rukmangada meets Mohini

The king dismounted from his horse and made his way up the
mountain, his mind intoxicated by the sights and sounds
around him. As he went higher he became aware of a divine
voice singing a bewitching song entering a delightful bower he
saw that all creatures there were motionless, enchanted by the
music.

In the centre of the bower sat Mohini, her lustrous beauty

appearing to illuminate the whole region. As she played upon
her lute she glanced up shingly at the king and quickly looked
down again. She was worshipping a Shiva-lingam.

King approached Mohini, who threw him with sidelong glances.

She stopped singing and smiled at the king. Shaking off the
bees that were attracted by the fragrance of her breath, she
stood up to greet him. Mesmerised by her graceful movements,
he stood staring as she spoke to him.

7. Mohini welcome king Rukmangada

Mohini understood the king’s feelings at once .She said-

Welcome, king. Know me to be under your control. I am willing
to become your partner. After giving me what I desire you may
accept me as yours.”
 

Mohini spoke in a soft voice. “My dear king, I do not wish for
the earth or all its treasures. You, who are famous for your
truthfulness, need only promise to carry out my desire at the
time when I choose to ask.”

8. Rukmangadha marry Mohini Gandharva way

The king’s eyes expanded in delight. “Consider it done, most

beautiful maiden. Never have I uttered a lie, even in jest.”

He solemnly held out his right hand. “I have come here only for
your sake, great king. Born of the god Brahma, I heard of your
fame and glory in his mansion.. Immediately I came here,
forsaking even the gods.”

Accepting her hand and marrying her according to the

Gandharva rite, by a simple exchange of garlands, he asked
her where she wished to go.

9. Rukmangada arrive with Mohini in kingdom

“I am happy here in the mountains, but it is always the wife’s

duty to accompany and serve her husband. His house, even if
full of misery, is preferable to heaven for a chaste wife.”

Rukmangada then set off toward to his kingdom with her. In

the city Dharmangada saw the sky becoming brighter from the
north and realised that his father was approaching.
 

 Turning to his ministers he said, “Just see how the sky from
North glows with radiant light. I think my father returns. Let us
go to greet him.

10 Prince Dharmangada welcome Chithi

They walked two miles out of the city to a flower filled garden
where Rukmangada and his new wife descended. As soon as
the king dismounted Dharmangada bowed to his feet. Beaming
in delight Rukmangada lifted him up and embraced him.

“Dear son, I hope you are protecting the citizens well and
punishing your enemies.. I trust also that the Brahmins and
cows are all well maintained and that the kingdom is
flourishing. I hope too that no one takes food on Ekadashi.”

Looking at Mohini, whom his father had helped dismount,

Dharmangada said, “Who is this lady with the lustre of ten
thousand suns?

 Rukmangada told his son how he had found Mohini on Mount

Mandara. I have made her a promise and offered her my right
hand. Accept her as your chithi.”

Dharmangada at once bowed at Mohini’s feet and said, “Chithi,

I am your son, servant and slave. Be pleased to favour me with
your blessings. By his mother’s grace the son can obtain the
earth itself.”

 
Rukmangada asked his son to look after Mohini chithi and
retired for some rest. Kneeling before her he personally washed
her feet and then sprinkled the water on his head. The prince
had many divine ornaments brought from the higher planets
these he gave to Mohini while shedding tears of delight.

11. Dharmangada advice his amma to accept new chithi

Within the inner quarters of Rukmangada’s palace Sandhyavali

sat alone. She scratched at the ground with her foot and sighed
repeatedly.

Dharmangada went to her and said “Dear mother, please come

and greet Mohini chithi. She who is loved by father must surely
be a highly respectable person for us. Please give up all
jealousy and serve chithi”. To reconcile to it Dharmangada told
his amma many stories

12. Sandhyavali accept Mohini as 2nd queen

The queen went to the kitchen and by merely glancing at the

pots and utensils she produced a meal replete with the six
types of taste. She personally served it to Mohini.

Sandhyavali smiled and offered her respect to Mohini with

folded palms. “It is my pleasure to please you, who are so dear
to my husband.”

 Mohini laughed and said, “Oh, you are Dharmangada’s mother.

I did not recognise you and surely did not expect you to serve
me. Indeed, I am your servant. Take it from me” These words
from Mohini took all hatreds from her mind fully

13. Mohini feels a pang of remorse

Mohini looked at the prince, who kept his head down as he

slowly fanned her. She felt a pang of remorse. How could she
perpetrate the act told her by Brahma? This boy was without
doubt a saint and wished her only well. But perhaps she would
not need to make her terrible demand of the king. Perhaps he
would simply agree to eat on Ekadashi. She thought about poor
Yamaraja waiting for the positive results of her. She asked
Dharmangada to get his father.

NEXT POSTING

Whether Mohini continued to live with Rukmangada? Whether

Rukmangada gave up his vow of Ekadasi? What Sandhya vali
and Dharmangada did to keep up the king’s promise? What
was the condition of Brahma and Yamaraja? Answers in the
next posting.

NEXT POSTING

Whether Mohini continued to live with Rukmangada? Whether

Rukmangada gave up his vow of Ekadasi? What Sandhya vali
and Dharmangada did to keep up the king’s promise? What
was the condition of Brahma and Yamaraja? Answers in the
next posting.

MOHINI AND EKADASI (PART III)

  

Continued From Part2

.......Mohini thought about poor Yamaraja waiting for the

positive results of her. She asked Dharmangada bring his
father. Read further………….. 

1.Rukmangada arrives and compromise with other Queens 

Rukmangada was in deep sleep after the high speed journey on

horse. He came as desired  by the son. Mohini intimated him
that she wanted to live with him with permission of other co-
queens. 

Dharmangada pleaded to other chithies regarding the father’s

desire to live with new Chithi. Dharmangada pleaded, “My dear
mothers, if you will not agree to this then I shall drink poison
and cast off this body. I cannot live if my father is not happy. 

Finally all of them consented Rukmangada to live with Mohini 

2. Mohini live happily far away with King Rukmangada 

Alone with Mohini, King Rukmangada was hardly aware of the

passage of time. King asked what were her wishes to carry out
once.  But Mohini smiled. “I am happy with you. Perhaps in
future I shall ask something of you.” 

Rukmangada too smiled, oblivious to his impending

destruction. Eight years passed as if they were eight  months.
All the while Rukmangada fasted for Ekadasi and Mohini did not
murmur a word. She was waiting for the proper time. 

3. King Dharmangada get married 

During the ninth year Dharmangada went out and conquered in

battle five Vidyadharas, powerful celestials who had come to
the Malaya Mountain 
He helped Varuna and in return Varuna offered a beautiful
virgin girl to Dharmangada to become his wife, whom he on
return introduced to his father. He requested for his blessings. 

Rukmangada gave much of the wealth to his son and had the
court Brahmins arrange for his marriage. After this
Dharmangada continued to rule over the kingdom while his
father stayed with Mohini. 

4. Mohini object Karthika fast 

But when the holy month known as Kartikka arrived the king
asked her to allow him to observe a sacred vow for its
duration.  

Rukmangada said, “Many years we have been together and I

have neglected the Kartikka vow, not wishing to upset you. I
wish now to follow it for the full month. Pray grant me
permission.” 

Mohini was not happy with this request. “Surely the Kartikka
vow is greatly virtuous, but its observance by kings is not
recommended by any sacred text. It is meant only for
Brahmins. The duty of kings is only to protect the people and
give charity at all times.” 

Mohini asked Rukmangada not to observe the vow. “I will not

be able to stand your separation for a month.  Please do not
abandon my request.” 

5.Sandhyavali observe Karthika Vrata for Rukmangada 

Rukmangada called for Sandhyavali. She prayed, “My lord, how

may I serve you?” She smiled and awaited his
order.  Rukmangada went on, “I desire to follow the Kartikka
vow, but this daughter of Brahma prevents me. Therefore I
wish that you observe it on my behalf.” 

6. Mohini gives a pose to Rukmangada 

The king said to Mohini “I desire only to please you. At your

behest I have forsaken even my duty.” 
Mohini said, “Dear lord, knowing of your loving attitude and
wanting only to be with you I have left heaven, forsaking even
the immortals. Leaving off the gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas,
Rakshasas and Danavas I came to you on the Mandara
Mountain.”

 7 Rukmangada wants to perform Ekadasi vrata 

But as the sun rose the following day the sound of drums was
heard, followed by the loud voice of a royal messenger
declaring that the next day was Ekadashi Gentle lady, the day
of Hari, so destructive of sin, dawns tomorrow. Forgive me but
I must observe restraint. Sandhyavali already observes the
Kartikka penance for me, but this vow I must perform as
usual.” The king asked Mohini to join him in its observance 

 8. Mohini ask Rukmangada to full fill the promises 

Mohini in turn said to Rukmangada and said -“Kindly fulfil the

promise you made to me when we first met now.” 

During all the previous years of their being together Mohini had
not said anything as the king observed Ekadashi. He had left
her for three days and observed fasting. But now she felt the
time had come to carry out Lord Brahma’s order.
Rukmangada’s attachment for her was complete. Surely he
would not refuse. She thought about her father Brahma and
poor Yamaraja waiting for her action and there was nothing
justice to think for her. 

The king said, “Ask anything. I will carry out your wish
whatever it may be. Have no fear.” Rukmangada smiled, but as
Mohini spoke in reply his smile quickly faded. 

9. Mohini ask Rukmangada to break Ekadasi vrata 

 “Dear king, I ask that you stay with me tomorrow and take
your meals as normal. I desire only this.. Please grant this
wish.” 

She advocated her stand “I have heard from sages that the
Ekadashi vow need not be observed by kings. There will not be
any sin for you if you take food and enjoy with me. Only this
will please me.” 

Mohini added- if the king did not satisfy her wish she would not
stay with him any longer. “I shall not touch your body which
will be contaminated with the sin of falsehood.” 

10 Gautama advocate Mohini’s stand 

Mohini called a leading Brahmin Gauthama.  Gautama said,

“Understand king, that your vow of fasting is whimsical and not
according to the Vedas. Kings must always bear arms and be
ready for battle. The austerities you accept are meant for other
orders of life.” 

Gautama exhorted the king to eat and cautioned him that he

should not ignore the advice of the Brahmins. “That will only
lead you into sin and degradation.” 

Rukmangada’s lips trembled in anger. By exerting great self-

control he spoke in measured tones. “Great sages, hear my
words. There is certainly support in scripture for my fasting.” 

Rukmangada knew he had the support of other Vaishnava

Brahmins and could understand that Gautama and his followers
belonged to a different school of thought. 

The king said, “I will not abandon my vow even if urged by the
Devas, Gandharvas, Danavas, Siddhas, Rakshasas, or even
Lord Shiva. The sun may cease to shine, the oceans dry up and
the Himalayas crumble, but Rukmangada will not break his
vow.” 

11. Mohini gets ready for break of 

Mohini face turned red as the king spoke. Mohini said, now you
demur. I am no longer yours and you are not mine. I must find
another protector.”Mohini stood up at once and began to leave,
accompanied by Gautama and the other Brahmins. 

12 Dharmangada hears Mohini 

But as Mohini was about to exit from the chamber,

Dharmangada arrived there. He bowed at the feet of his father
and Mohini. Dearest mother, whatever you say I shall do. Stay
here and be peaceful.” 

Mohini said in short- “Your father is not keeping his promise.

He is a liar ” Dharmangada replied. ”How can my father be
false while I live? Everything is established on his truth. Hell
has been emptied and the abode of Yamaraja made void by his
great virtue.” 

Mohini took Dharmangada to his father. She said. “Ask your

father of his intentions, dear son.” 

Dharmangada said, “ Appa- Chithi claims you are a liar. I

cannot believe it. What is it she wants that you cannot give? 

Rukmangada said, “My son, let my fame perish, let me called a

liar and even fall into a terrible hell, but I will not take food on
Hari’s day. That is what Mohini desires. Therefore let her go to
her father’s abode. 

Dharmangada looked at Mohini, who sat silently with a firm

expression. He understood she would not relent, any more
than his father would break his vow. 

13. Sandhyavali advocate for Rukmangada 

Dharmangada felt perhaps his mother Sandhyavali could help

resolve the situation. He called for his mother. When she
arrived he said. “Dear Amma please try to make an agreement
between Mohini chithi and Appa after describing the
situation. My father’s truth must be preserved without his
taking food grains on Hari’s day.” 

Turning to Mohini, Sandhyavali said, “Gentle lady, please be

gracious. Do not ask for that which should not be given. When
our husband offered you his hand he was overcome by passion
and not thinking rightly. He would otherwise have stipulated
that you couldn’t ask this. Pray for some other boon.” 

Sandhyavali cited Vedic evidence to the effect that a woman

who causes her husband to commit sin falls into a condition of
terrible suffering. “It is for this reason I am advising you”
14. Mohini accepts Sandhyavali and asks for new boon 

Mohini glanced at Rukmangada and then said to Sandhyavali,

“My senior sister well advised me. If the king will not eat on
Hari’s day then let something else I ask be given. I do not wish
to do anything that will give pain. Some divine force urges me
to speak so.” 

 Mohini looked up into her co-wife’s face and said, “What I will
say now will take away your life along with that of our
husband. It will destroy my religious merits and attract the
condemnation of all men. 

Sandhyavali said, “Tell me. What can you say that will cause
my sorrow? How will defending my husband’s truthfulness
cause me misery?” 

Mohini said. “ If your husband will not take food on Hari’s day
then let him take his sword and cut off the beautiful head of
Dharmangada, letting it fall on my lap.”
 
15 Sandhyavali agrees for Killing Dharmangada 

For some moments Sandhyavali stared in silence at Mohini.

She then smiled and gently said, “By no means should the
Ekadashi vow be broken. Sons, brothers, friends and loved
ones are persons we contact in this world, but Ekadashi is the
means to attain eternal happiness. Therefore have faith in my
words.  I shall do as you say.” 

Sandhyavali clasped her husband’s feet and said. “My lord, this
Mohini cannot be dissuaded from her purpose. Either you must
take food on Vishnu’s day or strike down your son. There is no
third alternative.” 

Sandhyavali could hardly contemplate the prospect of

Dharmangada’s death. What greater pain was there for a
mother than to lose a son? But she put all affection out of her
mind. To preserve truth was the highest virtue. She exhorted
her husband to kill the prince. 

16 Rukmangada Laments in his predicament

 

The king began to lament that he had ever gone to Mandara

Mountain in the first place. He would never have met
Mohini. “Surely she is Death personified meant only to destroy
Dharmangada and myself.” 

I can neither break the Ekadashi vow nor slay my son. I beg
you ask for some other boon.” 

Rukmangada repeatedly beseeched Mohini to show leniency.

Why was she so insistent? 

Mohini shook her head. “I do not wish for his death. He is not
my enemy. All I ask is that you take food on Ekadashi. Why do
you lament so? It is within your power to save your son. You
only have to adhere to truth and keep your word.” 

17 Dharmangada prepares for his death 

Dharmangada then stepped forward. He took out his gleaming

blue sword and placed it before the king. Kneeling before him
the prince said, “Hear me king, make your words true and kill
me. Do not hesitate. The soul should be saved even at the cost
of wealth, wives or sons.” 

As the sword was held over the prince’s neck many omens
were seen. Mohini breathed deep sighs. Her mission was a
failure. She would be hated throughout the world. Seeing the
sword raised above the prince’s neck she fell down like
fainting. 

18 Lord Vishnu and Brahma appear on the scene 

Suddenly the whole area was brilliantly illuminated. Everyone

looked upward and saw what appeared to be a second sun
descending from the sky. It was Lord Vishnu mounted on the
back of his great eagle carrier Garuda. He came to the king and
caught him by the hand. “I am pleased. I am delighted. Lord of
the people, I am taking you now to my abode along with your
wife and son.” A shower of flowers fell from the sky and the
gods beat heavenly drums. Rukmangada departed to heaven
with queen and son along with Lord Vishnu. 
19 Brahma revive Mohini and take her back 

Lord Brahma revived Mohini and consoled her. “Dear lady, rise
up. Your husband’s glories are proven. I just made a test and
you were a catalyst.  Brahma took Mohini with him he gave her
a place to reside in the heavens where she remains to this
day. 

20 Dharmaraja resume duties and Chithra guptha get busied

After the departure of the king Rukmangada and his son

Dharmangada gradually the observance of Ekadashi vrata
started diminishing and men again went to Yamaraja, who
continued his service to Vishnu with great pleasure.

My notes

1     Friends- This  write up is based on retelling of this story

from Narada Purana by Krishna Dharma.

2     While I complete this write up I have some  faded memory

of my mother who studied up to 5th class telling this story to
my sister elder to my brother also. At that time I think I was
about 16 years and she was 20. My mother used to take
Ekadasi fastas well completed all he fasts enshrined in Hindu
rituals. Her only desire was to go as Sumangali which she
achieved. My father lived another 24 more years