DOCSLIB.ORG

Understanding the Lord's Actions - Part 1

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Understanding the Lord's Actions - Part 1 Understanding the Lord's Actions - Part 1 Date: 2016-04-04 Author: Narahari Krishna das Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva. In many of the incarnations, the Lord displays His strength and Valor while fighting with the demons and doing super human tasks. Strength is generally defined as physical power possessed by an individual which enables him perform different activities. In Sanskrit it is denoted by the word 'bala'. Valour usually denotes a person's courage to enter in a battle and fight with enemies without fear and subdue them. It is denoted by the term 'veerya'. And the Lord is abode of infinite strength and Valor. The Supreme Lord is denoted by the word 'bhagavan' which means He is the abode of six principal qualities of which Bala and Virya are significant. This is confirmed in the Vishnu purana (6.5.79) by the great sage Parasara as follows. jnaana sakti bala aishvarya veerya tejaamsi asheshatah bhagavacchabda-vaacyaani vinaa heyaih gunadibhih The word 'bhagavat' is associated with the six superior qualities of knowledge, strength, lordship or non- dependence on anything else, valour, power, and effulgence in unlimited measure, absence of any inferior qualities of material nature. In this world, we generally become attracted to people who has great physical strength and stamina (like sportsmen and wrestlers) and great warriors who possess great valour. So the Lord display these qualities in various degrees in His incarnations to attract the conditioned souls. When the Lord descended in human like forms, He displayed His strength when He lifted the Govardhana Hill and broke the Yamala Arjuna trees; Lord Rama exhibited His strength by breaking the bow of Lord Shiva and kicking the skeleton of the demon Dundubhi(who was killed by Vali) miles away. He displayed His valour while He fought with Ravana, Kartavirya Arjuna, Jarasandha in battle. In these incarnations the Lord sometimes behaves like a human being with frailties i.e. He appears to fall into delusion, sorrow etc. though He is full of knowledge and He becomes defeated by the demons though He is all powerful. This creates doubt in the minds of inquisitive persons whether the Lord becomes a conditioned human being and becomes limited in His powers when He incarnates in this world. Because of this, some people misunderstand His human like incarnations like Rama, Krishna and Parasurama and think that He is just a powerful human being with great powers or a person who is now having great siddhis because of pious credits or yogic practices. Some even thought that He is a just a human being born out of karma just like us. But a close study of the scriptures like Ramayana, Mahabharata and the authentic puranas as explained by the acharyas reveal that the Lord is always the Supreme Absolute Truth when He appears in any form in this world. Also the scriptures tell that the Lord's display of strength and valour are much different from the strength and valour of humans in this world, though it resembles the humans. They also teach us how to understand these apparent actions of the Lord. Krishna willing, let us meditate on some aspects of the Lord's behaviour in the subsequent offerings. Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Narahari Krishna das Chennai. Understanding the Lord's Actions - Part 2 Date: 2016-04-05 Author: Narahari Krishna das Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva. This is in continuation of the previous topic titled, "Understanding the Lord's Actions". We will continue to meditate on the Lord's strength and valour. In the wars with Jarasandha, Narakasura, Paundraka Vasudeva, Salva etc., the Lord used many weapons such as bow and arrows, clubs and fought for a long time just like a normal King. Now a question arises, if He is all powerful why does He need weapons to fight? Also one may think that the Lord has only limited power during His incarnations and that's why He took a long time to win over the battles. We also see that the Lord fought with wrestlers like Chanura and Mushtika like a normal fighter and sometimes, was even attacked by them during the fight. If He is the all powerful Lord who can create, maintain and destroy the worlds just by His will, then why He should struggle to fight and kill demons like a normal warrior? However the great sage Parasara answers this in the Vishnu purana (5.22.14-15) as follows. manushyadharmasheelasya leela saa jagateepateh astraanyanekarupaani yadaraatishu muncati manasaiva jagatsrshtim samhaaram ca karoti yah tasyaapipakshakshapane kiyaanudyamavistarah It was the pastime of the Lord of the universe, in His capacity of man, to use various weapons against his enemies; Otherwise, what weapon is needed for the Lord who creates, maintains and destroys all the worlds just by His mere will, to annihilate His enemies? So, even though He is the all-powerful Lord, as a pastime and also to exhibit human behaviour, He fights like a normal king/warrior. The Bhagavata Purana also confirms this truth. After Kamsa was killed, Jarasandha was very upset because both his daughters Asti and Prapti (who were wives of Kamsa) became widows. So he wanted to destroy Lord Krishna and the entire Yadava clan. So he collected a huge army and came to fight with Yadavas. At that time Lord Krishna started thinking how to handle Jarasandha and his huge army. One may think why the Supreme Person should worry about an army of soldiers. We tend to think that when He comes as a human being, His powers become limited and hence He is worried. But the Bhagavata Purana verses,(10.50.5-6) gives the true reason as follows. nirīkṣya tad-balaṁ kṛṣṇa udvelam iva sāgaram sva-puraṁ tena saṁruddhaṁ sva-janaṁ ca bhayākulam cintayām āsa bhagavān hariḥ kāraṇa-mānuṣaḥ tad-deśa-kālānuguṇaṁ svāvatāra-prayojanam Although Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the original cause of this world, when He descended to the earth He played the role of a human being. Thus when He saw Jarasandha's assembled army surrounding His city like a great ocean overflowing its shores, and when He saw how this army was striking fear into His subjects, the Lord considered what His suitable response should be according to the time, place and specific purpose of His current incarnation. The purport explains, "The acharyas point out that the Supreme Godhead did not have to worry about a mortal attack from Jarasandha and his soldiers. But, as stated here, Sri Krishna was playing the part of a human being (kārana-mā nushah), and He played the part well. This play is called Lila, the Lord's enactment of spiritual pastimes for the pleasure of His devotees. Although ordinary persons may be dumbfounded by the Lord's pastimes, the devotees derive tremendous pleasure from His inimitable style of behaviour ." So, when the Lord appears in human-like forms, He plays the part of a human being without any compromise on His divinity. This gives pleasure to His devotees and attracts innocent souls to His lotus feet. Let us continue to meditate more on this aspect in the subsequent offerings, Krishna willing. Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Narahari Krishna das Chennai. Understanding the Lord's Actions - Part 3 Date: 2016-04-06 Author: Narahari Krishna das Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva. This is in continuation of the previous topic titled, "Understanding the Lord's Actions". We will continue to meditate on the Lord's strength and valour. We saw that Lord Krishna displayed human behaviour when Mathura was attacked by Jarasandha. He fought with Jarasandha 18 times. Out of this, 17 times He defeated Jarasandha but did not destroy him. Now a question may be raised why the Lord did not kill him? Is it because He did not have the power to do so? Many enemies of Lord Krishna rebuked him stating that He was actually defeated by Jarasandha since He could not kill him even after fighting so many times. But the Bhagavata purana (10.50.7-8) answers why the Lord did not kill Jarasandha in the first war itself. haniṣyāmi balaṁ hy etad bhuvi bhāraṁ samāhitam māgadhena samānītaṁ vaśyānāṁ sarva-bhūbhujām akṣauhiṇībhiḥ saṅkhyātaṁ bhaṭāśva-ratha-kuñjaraiḥ māgadhas tu na hantavyo bhūyaḥ kartā balodyamam [The Supreme Lord thought:] Since it is such a burden on the earth, I will destroy Jarasandha's army, consisting of akshauhinis of foot soldiers, horses, chariots and elephants, which the King of Magadha has assembled from all subservient kings and brought together here. But Jarasandha himself should not be killed, since in the future he will certainly assemble another army. One of the reasons behind the Lord's descent was to reduce the burden of the world by destroying the impious and since Jarasandha was enthusiastic to bring all the demons to His doorsteps, the Lord spared him every time. So one should not think that the Lord spared Jarasandha because He was unable to fight with him or his army. Because in the Bhagavata purana itself we find that Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama fought with Jarasandha's huge army vert effortlessly. In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 10.50.28, Sukadeva Goswami says balaṁ tad aṅgārṇava-durga-bhairavaṁ duranta-pāraṁ magadhendra-pālitam kṣayaṁ praṇītaṁ vasudeva-putrayor vikrīḍitaṁ taj jagad-īśayoḥ param And though this force was as unfathomable and fearsome as an impassable ocean, for the two sons of Vasudeva, the Lords of the universe, the battle was hardly more than play.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Mahabharata
    ^«/4 •m ^1 m^m^ The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924071123131 ) THE MAHABHARATA OF KlUSHNA-DWAIPAYANA VTASA TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH PROSE. Published and distributed, chiefly gratis, BY PROTSP CHANDRA EOY. BHISHMA PARVA. CALCUTTA i BHiRATA PRESS. No, 1, Raja Gooroo Dass' Stbeet, Beadon Square, 1887. ( The righi of trmsMm is resem^. NOTICE. Having completed the Udyoga Parva I enter the Bhishma. The preparations being completed, the battle must begin. But how dan- gerous is the prospect ahead ? How many of those that were counted on the eve of the terrible conflict lived to see the overthrow of the great Knru captain ? To a KsJtatriya warrior, however, the fiercest in- cidents of battle, instead of being appalling, served only as tests of bravery that opened Heaven's gates to him. It was this belief that supported the most insignificant of combatants fighting on foot when they rushed against Bhishma, presenting their breasts to the celestial weapons shot by him, like insects rushing on a blazing fire. I am not a Kshatriya. The prespect of battle, therefore, cannot be unappalling or welcome to me. On the other hand, I frankly own that it is appall- ing. If I receive support, that support may encourage me. I am no Garuda that I would spurn the strength of number* when battling against difficulties. I am no Arjuna conscious of superhuman energy and aided by Kecava himself so that I may eHcounter any odds.
    [Show full text]
  • Omk¡Ra-M¡Ndh¡T¡-Mukti-Dh¡Ma
    Omk¡ra-M¡ndh¡t¡-Mukti-dh¡ma A Paradise for Pilgrims Om Holy Book # 5 ð Research Operation By Murarilal Nagar Technical Operation By Sarladevi Nagar Photo-Documentation By Linda Canestraight OM Shanti Mandiram Columbia, MO 2004 Om: One God Universal OM: One God Universal Garland of Offerings OM: One God Universal 1st Garland of Offerings. OM: One God Universal 2nd Viveka Leads to Ananda OM: One God Universal 3rd Om at Home in America (Sv¡m• R¡mat•rtha). OM: One God Universal 4th Read and Realize—A Bibliography. OM: One God Universal 5th Omk¡ra M¡ndh¡t¡. ISBN for No. 5 0-943-913-35-7 OM, the sacred monosyllabic symbol of Parabrahma Param¡tman, is the pious and holy name of the Supreme Lord. It is cryptic, majestic, mighty, mystic, mysterious, sacred, sacrosanct, secret and transcendental by nature. It possesses enormous, extra-ordinary, inexplicable, immanent, spiritual power. There is no other word in the whole world, in any of the many literatures of the entire universe, which is so infinitesimal in character, and yet is full of such infinite meanings as this universal OM. It is most intensive in form and still extremely extensive in content. It is infinitely minute in appearance, nonetheless immensely colossal in its all-pervasiveness. It is honored and worshipped by so many cultures and traditions, ancient as well as modern around the globe. Published by The International Library Center For Om Shanti Mandiram Of Columbia, Missouri. ii Omkara Mandhata Dhama Search for Truth Dedicated to S¡dhanika Anayasiµhadeva A Benign, Benevolent, Benefactor of Omk¡ra M¡ndh¡t¡ Mukti Dh¡ma With regard, respect, and reverence.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to 275 SIVA STHALAMS Glorified by Thevaram Hymns (Pathigams) of Nayanmars
    Guide to 275 SIVA STHALAMS Glorified by Thevaram Hymns (Pathigams) of Nayanmars -****- by Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran About the Author: Mr T Sampath Kumaran is a freelance writer. He regularly contributes articles on Management, Business, Ancient Temples and Temple Architecture to many leading Dailies and Magazines. His articles for the young is very popular in “The Young World section” of THE HINDU. He was associated in the production of two Documentary films on Nava Tirupathi Temples, and Tirukkurungudi Temple in Tamilnadu. His book on “The Path of Ramanuja”, and “The Guide to 108 Divya Desams” in book form on the CD, has been well received in the religious circle. Preface: Tirth Yatras or pilgrimages have been an integral part of Hinduism. Pilgrimages are considered quite important by the ritualistic followers of Sanathana dharma. There are a few centers of sacredness, which are held at high esteem by the ardent devotees who dream to travel and worship God in these holy places. All these holy sites have some mythological significance attached to them. When people go to a temple, they say they go for Darsan – of the image of the presiding deity. The pinnacle act of Hindu worship is to stand in the presence of the deity and to look upon the image so as to see and be seen by the deity and to gain the blessings. There are thousands of Siva sthalams- pilgrimage sites - renowned for their divine images. And it is for the Darsan of these divine images as well the pilgrimage places themselves - which are believed to be the natural places where Gods have dwelled - the pilgrimage is made.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhoga-Bhaagya-Yogyata Lakshmi
    BHOGA-BHAAGYA-YOGYATA LAKSHMI ( FULFILLMENT AS ONE DESERVES) Edited, compiled, and translated by VDN Rao, Retd. General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organization, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, currently at Chennai 1 Other Scripts by the same Author: Essence of Puranas:-Maha Bhagavata, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, Varaha Purana, Kurma Purana, Vamana Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana; Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Devi Bhagavata;Brahma Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Agni Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Nilamata Purana; Shri Kamakshi Vilasa Dwadasha Divya Sahasranaama: a) Devi Chaturvidha Sahasra naama: Lakshmi, Lalitha, Saraswati, Gayatri; b) Chaturvidha Shiva Sahasra naama-Linga-Shiva-Brahma Puranas and Maha Bhagavata; c) Trividha Vishnu and Yugala Radha-Krishna Sahasra naama-Padma-Skanda-Maha Bharata and Narada Purana. Stotra Kavacha- A Shield of Prayers Purana Saaraamsha; Select Stories from Puranas Essence of Dharma Sindhu Essence of Shiva Sahasra Lingarchana Essence of Paraashara Smtiti Essence of Pradhana Tirtha Mahima Dharma Bindu Essence of Upanishads : Brihadaranyaka , Katha, Tittiriya, Isha, Svetashwara of Yajur Veda- Chhandogya and Kena of Saama Veda-Atreya and Kausheetaki of Rig Veda-Mundaka, Mandukya and Prashna of Atharva Veda ; Also ‘Upanishad Saaraamsa’ (Quintessence of Upanishads) Essence of Virat Parva of Maha Bharata Essence of Bharat Yatra Smriti Essence of Brahma Sutras Essence of Sankhya Parijnaana- Also Essence of Knowledge of Numbers Essence of Narada Charitra; Essence Neeti Chandrika-Essence of Hindu Festivals and Austerities- Essence of Manu Smriti*- Quintessence of Manu Smriti* - *Essence of Pratyaksha Bhaskara- Essence of Maha Narayanopanishad*-Essence of Vidya-Vigjnaana-Vaak Devi* Note: All the above Scriptures already released on www.
    [Show full text]
  • A Revolution in Kṛṣṇaism: the Cult of Gopāla Author(S): Norvin Hein Source: History of Religions , May, 1986, Vol
    A Revolution in Kṛṣṇaism: The Cult of Gopāla Author(s): Norvin Hein Source: History of Religions , May, 1986, Vol. 25, No. 4, Religion and Change: ASSR Anniversary Volume (May, 1986), pp. 296-317 Published by: The University of Chicago Press Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1062622 JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at https://about.jstor.org/terms The University of Chicago Press is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to History of Religions This content downloaded from 130.132.173.217 on Fri, 18 Dec 2020 20:12:45 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms Norvin Hein A REVOLUTION IN KRSNAISM: THE CULT OF GOPALA Beginning about A.D. 300 a mutation occurred in Vaisnava mythology in which the ideals of the Krsna worshipers were turned upside down. The Harivamsa Purana, which was composed at about that time, related in thirty-one chapters (chaps. 47-78) the childhood of Krsna that he had spent among the cowherds.1 The tales had never been told in Hindu literature before. As new as the narratives themselves was their implicit theology. The old adoration of Krsna as moral preceptor went into a long quiescence.
    [Show full text]
  • Mahabaratha Tatparya Nirnaya - Introduction by Prof.K.T.Pandurangi
    Mahabaratha Tatparya Nirnaya - Introduction by Prof.K.T.Pandurangi CHAPTER XVII Rukmi’s initiative to arrange the swayamvara of Rukmini Rukmi the son of Bhishmaka planned to give Rukmini in marriage to Shishupala by arranging Swayamvara. Demon Ilvala was born as Rukmi.Such the son of Vahni also had entered him.He had studied Dhanurvidya from Druma and had secured the bow – Vijaya of Indra.This was equal in strength ot Gandiva and Saranga.When swayamvara was announced Jarasandha, Salva, Paundraka and Shishupala arrived.Sri Krishna also arrived seated on Garuda.When Shishupala and Dantavakra found that Krishna had arrived they pleaded with others not oppose to Krishna.After all they were originally devotees of Sri Krishna. However Jarasandha opposed it. Coronation of Sri Krishna Krishna was not duly coronated on the throne. Therefore he was not entitled for a seat in the swayamvara hall nor for any hospitality. They though if they did not provide him a seat he would go away.Kratha and Kaisika the brothers of Bhishmaka came to know of it.They took Krishna to their residence and arranged for their coronation.In the meanwhile a messenger of Indra came and advised the princes gathered to coronate Krishna. He said Indra would throw vajrayudha on them if they failed to carry out his order. Indra did not want Jarasandha, Rukmi,Salva and Shishupala to participate in the coronation of Sri Krishna.therefore he has asked them not to join. They also did not want to join.Indra sent a rich throne. Krishna made Garuda sit on the right side, Kratha , Kaisika and satyaki on left side.Then coronation bath was given using a golden pitcher.Krishna blessed Bhishmaka and said his daughter’s marriage would be auspicious.He revealed his Vishvarupa to him .Bhismaka saw infinite incarnations of Vishnu and Lakshmi in that Vishvarupa.Sri Krishna returned to Mathura.
    [Show full text]
  • Srimad-Bhagavatam – Canto Ten” by His Divine Grace A.C
    “Srimad-Bhagavatam – Canto Ten” by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Summary: Srimad-Bhagavatam is compared to the ripened fruit of Vedic knowledge. Also known as the Bhagavata Purana, this multi-volume work elaborates on the pastimes of Lord Krishna and His devotees, and includes detailed descriptions of, among other phenomena, the process of creation and annihilation of the universe. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada considered the translation of the Bhagavatam his life’s work. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: This is an evaluation copy of the printed version of this book, and is NOT FOR RESALE. This evaluation copy is intended for personal non- commercial use only, under the “fair use” guidelines established by international copyright laws. You may use this electronic file to evaluate the printed version of this book, for your own private use, or for short excerpts used in academic works, research, student papers, presentations, and the like. You can distribute this evaluation copy to others over the Internet, so long as you keep this copyright information intact. You may not reproduce more than ten percent (10%) of this book in any media without the express written permission from the copyright holders. Reference any excerpts in the following way: “Excerpted from “Srimad-Bhagavatam” by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, courtesy of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, www.Krishna.com.” This book and electronic file is Copyright 1977-2003 Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, 3764 Watseka Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034, USA. All rights reserved. For any questions, comments, correspondence, or to evaluate dozens of other books in this collection, visit the website of the publishers, www.Krishna.com.
    [Show full text]
  • In Praise of Her Supreme Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
    In praise of Her Supreme Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi 2016 Edition The original Sahaja Yoga Mantrabook was compiled by Sahaja Yoga Austria and gibven as a Guru Puja gift in 1989 0 'Now the name of your Mother is very powerful. You know that is the most powerful name, than all the other names, the most powerful mantra. But you must know how to take it. With that complete dedication you have to take that name. Not like any other.' Her Supreme Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi ‘Aum Twameva sakshat, Shri Nirmala Devyai namo namaḥ. That’s the biggest mantra, I tell you. That’s the biggest mantra. Try it’ Birthday Puja, Melbourne, 17-03-85. 1 This book is dedicated to Our Beloved Divine M other Her Supreme Holiness Shri MMMatajiM ataji Nirmal aaa DevDeviiii,,,, the Source of This Knowledge and All Knowledge . May this humble offering be pleasing in Her Sight. May Her Joy always be known and Her P raises always sung on this speck of rock in the Solar System. Feb 2016 No copyright is held on this material which is for the emancipation of humanity. But we respectfully request people not to publish any of the contents in a substantially changed or modified manner which may be misleading. 2 Contents Sanskrit Pronunciation .................................... 8 Mantras in Sahaja Yoga ................................... 10 Correspondence with the Chakras ....................... 14 The Three Levels of Sahasrara .......................... 16 Om ................................................. 17 Mantra Forms ........................................ 19 Mantras for the Chakras .................................. 20 Mantras for Special Purposes ............................. 28 The Affirmations ......................................... 30 Short Prayers for the Chakras ............................. 33 Gāyatrī Mantra ......................................
    [Show full text]
  • Balaji Srinivasan, Gandhi Balasubramanian, Uma V Chandru
    Comparison of Tamil Shaiva Visual Narratives in Lepakshi with Community Theatre Traditions of Thanjavur and Thiruvarur Balaji Srinivasan, Gandhi Balasubramanian, Uma V Chandru A draft version of this paper was previously presented on March 5, 2016 at the National Seminar on “Visual Art Forms of Medieval India,” K Mrutyunjaya Rao (Ed,) in the compendium of the National Seminar papers. Publisher: The Registrar, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, 2016, pp.14 -20 Introduction The Lepakshi Veerabhadraswamy temple in Ananthapur District, Andhra Pradesh has one of the largest collections of medieval murals in South India and the best preserved examples of the 16th century Vijayanagara style paintings. The sculpture and continuous narrative reliefs on the pillars and walls of the mahamandapa, natyamandapa, and the unfinished kalyanamandapa are also significant both in quality and quantity. Some of the devotional narratives of paintings and reliefs in this temple are from the Thanjavur and Thiruvarur region of present day Tamil Nadu. The monkey-faced king Muchukunda in the ceiling of the cave area in Lepakshi is depicted worshipping Thyagarajaswamy in Thiruvarur. The Beda Kannappa or Kannappa Nayanar narrative painted on the ceiling of the mahamandapa and two other Tamil Shaiva devotional narratives of sacrifice - the Siriyala Charithram depicted in bas relief panels on the east and north walls of the mahamandapa and the Manuneethi Chola story depicted in a ceiling mural in the natyamandapa are described by the 12th century Tamil poet Sekkizhar in his Periyapuranam (great Purana). In this paper we compare the structure and aesthetics of the Manuneethi Chola painting and Siriyala Charithram narrative relief panels in Lepakshi with their © Balaji Srinivasan, Gandhi Balasubramanian, Uma V Chandru International Institute of Art, Culture and Democracy tangible and intangible heritage parallels in Thanjavur and Thiruvarur region of Tamil Nadu, where they are part of the Sthalapuranas.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhagavata Purana
    Bhagavata Purana abridged translation by Parama Karuna Devi new edition 2021 Copyright © 2016 Parama Karuna Devi All rights reserved. ISBN: 9798530643811 published by Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center E-mail: [email protected] Blog: www.jagannathavallabhavedicresearch.wordpress.com Website: www.jagannathavallabha.com Correspondence address: Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center At Piteipur, P/O Alasana, PS Chandanpur, 752012 Dist. Puri Orissa, India Table of Contents Preface 5 The questions of the sages 7 The teachings of Sukadeva on yoga 18 Conversation between Maitreya and Vidura 27 The story of Varaha 34 The teachings of Kapila 39 The sacrifice of Daksha 56 The story of Dhruva 65 The story of king Prithu 71 The parable of Puranjana 82 The story of Rishabha 90 The story of Jada Bharata 97 The structure of the universe 106 The story of Ajamila 124 The descendants of Daksha 128 Indra and Vritrasura 134 Diti decides to kill Indra 143 The story of Prahlada 148 The varnashrama dharma system 155 The story of Gajendra 163 The nectar of immortality 168 The story of Vamana 179 The descendants of Sraddhadeva Manu 186 The story of Ambarisha 194 The descendants of Ikshvaku 199 The story of Rama 206 The dynastyof the Moon 213 Parama Karuna Devi The advent of Krishna 233 Krishna in the house of Nanda 245 The gopis fall in love with Krishna 263 Krishna dances with the gopis 276 Krishna kills more Asuras 281 Krishna goes to Mathura 286 Krishna builds the city of Dvaraka 299 Krishna marries Rukmini 305 The other wives of Krishna 311 The
    [Show full text]
  • Mbtn-Chapter17
    || Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya || 1) When the King of Chedi (Damaghosha) returned to his place, Sri Janardana got to know that Rugmini, who was Mahalakshmi herself, was getting ready for a Swayamvara. 2) Her elder brother Rugmini hated Sri Hari, the lord of Ramaa, and had stopped the marriage of Rugmini, who was dear to Sri Hari, with Sri Krishna. 3) When the Swayamvara was announced, Jarasandha, along with other warriors such as Salva, Paundraka, Shishupala and others left (for the Swayamvara). 4) Then, Sri Krishna quickly left for Kundinapura. Garuda too reached him as soon as he (Sri Krishna) remembered him. 5) Due to the wind speed from his wings, the Kings fell down on the ground. When Garuda’s strength itself is so much, what to say of Sri Hari’s strength? 6 to 10) “What shall we do now for our good?” – thought all the Kings. At that time Jarasandha said thus – “This Krishna, who keeps winning, is definitely Vishnu himself. Or else, how can he be pakshivahana (rider of Garuda)? All of us have lost to him alone every time in battle. Even though we have attacked him together, we have never won even once. His brother Balarama had almost killed me. When I was badly hurt, he left me after listening to an ashareeravani. What else to say of his (Sri Krishna’s) strength? Without himself getting hurt, he is rendering us almost like a blade of grass everytime. In such a grave scenario, what may be good for us to do?” 11) Speaking thus, Jarasandha lowered his lustre-less face.
    [Show full text]
  • Sanskar Gurukul Weekly Update
    Sanskar Gurukul Weekly Update Class Name: Bhrigu Week# 29: April 26, 2015 General Assembly Hari Om Everybody: Here is the GA Update for today's session. Vagdevi aunty started the GA with three Omkars followed by the Shanti Mantra. We chanted Nama Ramayana - Bala Kanda verses. Then we learn two new verses of Ayodhya Kanda. We chanted new verses few times. Aparna Aunti told us about the Kulfest and Chanting questions. 1) Student will be given starting of a verse line and student has to complete the verse from prayer book. Example: Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishuhu ... (complete the verse). 2) Hanuman Chlisa, there will be questions. Example - "What is in the hand of Hanumanji?" 3) Student will be given starting of a verse line and student has to complete the verse from Bala-Kanda of Nama Ramayana. We ended session with a short meditation. Next Sunday, May 3rd is Field Day. All children should report to Green Hope Elementary School by 9:30 AM. All children will be divided into teams and each team will play two games - Dodge Ball and Satodiyu/Lagori/Pitthu. Some children demonstrated how to play these games on the stage on April 19th. Please DO NOT bring your Gurukul bag and wear shoes as you will be running around the field as well comfortable cloths. Lunch will be provided and you can be picked up by your parents at 12:15 PM. Class We started class with three Omkars followed by the Shanti Mantra and before studies prayers. We covered Chapters 25 and 26 which talked about Jarasandha Vadh and Rajasuya Ceremony respectively.
    [Show full text]