DOCSLIB.ORG

Lights on Krishna-Balarama Tattwa in Conversation with Sree Sree Maa Lord Balarama Always Intrigued Me

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Lights on Krishna-Balarama Tattwa in Conversation with Sree Sree Maa Lord Balarama Always Intrigued Me Hiranyagarbha Vol. 4 No. 4–39 15.01.12 Lights on Krishna-Balarama Tattwa In Conversation with Sree Sree Maa Lord Balarama always intrigued me. form of Shankarshan - the dazzlingly Spiritual literature conceptualizes him as the transparent, fully enlightened, expressed dual first direct manifestation of universal God equivalent (sham) of the supreme attractor consciousness, Lord Krishna. He has been (karshana), as the eternal Sadguru - associated with various divine and human Paramatma’s own light - that carries one and forms including Shesha, Ananta (Great all into the divine lap of Parabrahman. As Serpents of Maha-Vishnu), Lakshmana ‘Shesha’ he expresses himself in innumerable (younger brother of Lord Rama), Balarama or forms of the same eshana swabhav of Krishna, Baladeva (elder brother of Sri Krishna), each self-natured to seek full and complete Ramanujacharya (the leading light if the reunion. Each such atom of divine Vishistadvaita school of thought), Nityananda consciousness is an atma-jyoti (soul-light), Prabhu (the beloved resident in every being as companion of Sri the fully linked spark of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), the Sadguru constantly etc. In spiritual engaged in yoga or ontology, Lord Balarama union with the supreme. of Golaka is indentified The conglomeration of as the original spiritual this infinite multitude of master or Adi Sadguru. infinitesimal divine During a discussion with consciousness sparks is Sree Sree Maa, I raised depicted as the million- the topic of Balarama- hooded Shesha over the tattwa and requested her head of the Virat to enlighten me. Observing my fairly confused Purusha. ‘Balarama’ is the unlimited strength understanding, Sree Sree Maa patiently (bala) of the supreme soul (Rama), or atma- elucidated:- shakti, that remains steadfast in the divine play “The supreme personality emerges from (raman) with the dynamic life force (Roma) the great void as the seed of eternal divine evolving out of adya shakti. He is worshipped consciousness and root of all cause. The first as Shukla Yaju - the Fair Lord. rays of the primordial life force (mahaprana) Lord Shankarshan, as karshan shakti, mingle into the shadows of Parabrahman’s strikes and churns the adhara (vessel), pristine form as he rises from the uncharted attracting it towards self-realization. That is depths of the unmanifest as ‘Krishna’ - the why Balarama is depicted holding a dark-complexioned one, with an all- ploughshare in his hand, tilling the field embracing power of attraction (karshan shakti) (kshetra) of the adhara through the will power that draws everything inwards, into him, for of Krishna. Together they form the dipole of absolute union. Krishna’s ‘will to attract’ \(or self-realization and eternal fulfillment. While eshana swabhav\) is his alter ego - the ‘light- Balarama as paramatma – the still state of complexioned one’- revered in many ways unified prana – remains the overlord of the including ‘Balarama’, ‘Shesha’ and kshetra, Krishna - the eternal divine ‘Shankarshan’. consciousness manifesting as the life or jeevan The lord’s all-pervading aakarshan shakti of an embodied soul \(jiva\) – is incessantly (attractive force) personifies into the divine engaged inwards, maintaining the thread of Hiranyagarbha a Volume 4 No. 4 a 15th January, 2012 39 ø˝ı˛Ì…·ˆ«ìrnh„gdCo¬ Hiranyagarbha Vol. 4 No. 4–40 15.01.12 supreme union, through steadfast She stopped and I interjected. “Can you tell uninterrupted natural kriya. This fully us a little more about how Lord Balarama as introspective state of prana, engrossed in Sri Ramanuja (originally named Lakshmana) continuous, undistracted ajapa kriya is the spread the message of Sri Krishna? We know ‘Krishna-presence’ within every jiva and is that he propounded the Vishistadvaita worshipped as Krishna Yaju. philosophy and was the third and most Through the will of Krishna-Balarama, the important acharya of the Sri Sampradaya first transformation of the primordial nature originally propounded by Nathamuni and (mahat-tattwa) of the unified consciousness of Yamunacharya. Is there something more to the Supreme Being translated into the realms it?” I queried. of Golaka – eternal divine creation in its purest Sree Sree Maa calmly explained, “You must expressed form. It contains all take an integral view of things creation in its subtle, pre- to get a proper understanding of manifested, fully-realized form. God’s leela. During Dwapara Here resides in full bloom Sri Yuga, Lord Krishna’s message Krishna-Sree Radha with their of eternal divine truth has been companions as well as Lord enshrined in two thematic forms Balarama with his consort, the - the Vrindavan Leela in the adya-shakti natured Devi Revati. Srimad Bhagwatam and the Both Krishna and Balarama are Kurukshetra Leela in the engaged in their own rapturous Bhagwat Gita. These divine divine Raas Leelas - constant works of the supreme Lord blissful union of infinite emotive pronounced in his Krishna forms. This is the germinating avatar did not end there and has place of all that is manifested in been continued in a variety of the rest of creation. Every form, Sri Ramanujacharya ways during Kali Yuga. An tattwa, force, emotion, feeling, relationship – observant follower of great philosophical eternal or temporal is caused, seeded and movements will see how the apparently sustained from here. different philosophies were in essence Sri Krishna’s work is never complete elaborations and living elucidations of the without the presence of Lord Baladeva. That enunciations of the Gita and the Bhagwat. For is why his personified presence is requested example, you are aware of the profound by the Bhagwan Sri Krishna for many earthly Vedantic and Vaishanava theories propounded leelas. Other than being ever-present (with Sri by great personalities like Shankaracharya, Rama) as his younger sibling Lakshmana in Ramanujacharya, Nimbarkacharya, Treta-Yuga and his elder brother (Balarama) Madhvacharya, Vallabhacharya, etc. While Sri in Dwapara Yuga, Lord Baladeva appeared in Ramanuja is considered a direct embodiment Kali Yuga as Prabhu Nityananda (with of Sri Baladeva, all the acharyas, being Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) and Sri Charandas anointed Sadgurus, are in a sense Balarama- Babaji (with Prabhu Jagatbandhu). Another natured. Several commentaries have been special incarnation when Lord Shankarshan written on their similarities and differences, but came alone as a world teacher to spread the you should try to see deeper to understand how divine message of Lord Krishna was as Sri they represent the evolving stages of the same Ramanuja (meaning the younger brother or truth from the point of view of both ascent in anuja of Rama, that is Lakshmana). All sadhana and supremental descent of the divine Sadguru’s are effectively avatars of Balarama.” consciousness. Kali Yuga has been the Hiranyagarbha a Volume 4 No. 4 a 15th January, 2012 40 ø˝ı˛Ì…·ˆ«ìrnh„gdCo¬ Hiranyagarbha Vol. 4 No. 4–41 15.01.12 cauldron of a detailed demonstration of what Adi Shankaracharya presented to the world was seeded by the Krishna avatar in Dwapara. the first fundamental level that a sadhaka has Look deeper into the steps of what was to attain – realization of the supreme divine as essentially presented by each world teacher I the ultimate reality. It is important to mentioned earlier. Look at Sri Yukteswar Giri’s understand his Advaitic pronounciation of chart for the time period of Kali Yuga and link ‘Brahman satya jagat mithya’ as the foundation them up. Tell me what you can decipher. I shall for moving towards ‘freedom through union’. be with you in your thoughts.” Sri Ramakrishna used to remind every aspirant Sree Sree Maa stopped. From the way she in his inimitable style of expressing profound ended, I realized that there was something to spiritual truths in simple language by saying, be unearthed in what she had said, which while ‘First reach the goal-post of God without obvious to her, would be a revelation for me. considering anything else worthwhile. Then My research began as I scanned the Yuga- look at his creation clutching onto God. You cycle time chart presented by Sri Yukteswar will see that all creation is also God.’ It is in his book Kaivalya Darshan or the Holy therefore quite apt that a Shiva-avatar in the Science, which he was asked to write by form of Adi Shankaracharya descended to Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj. I then quickly point out to the fundamental truth – the self is skimmed through the life histories and Brahman and only Brahman exists everywhere philosophical principles of the great acharyas - realization of which is the first stable station that Sree Sree Maa mentioned. I tried to link in the spiritual journey, namely ascent to these with the principles of sadhana and divine Shiva-hood by transcending the kutastha worship as enunciated in the Gita and other chaitanya or individual consciousness. From texts. A couple of weeks later I returned to the point of view of supramental descent, it Sree Sree Maa saying, “Will you hear what I talks about the first stage where only Krishna- seem to have assimilated?” “Go ahead”, said consciousness exists. she, “I am waiting to hear from you.” I started. Sri Ramanuja followed and through the “In the descending cycle, when Dwapara Vishistadvaita philosophy presented the Yuga gave way to Kali Yuga, the great avatar, logical next step in self-realization – Gautama Buddha, appeared. The timing assimilating one’s self with the universal matches with what Sri Yukteswar indicates in consciousness (Brahman chaitanya) to realize his chart. The great Sakyamuni re-established what Sri Bishnupada Siddhanta Thakur, while the foundations of self-enquiry and self- elaborating on Sri Ramakrishna’s words in this realization, enunciated the fundamental context, referred to as – ‘Brahman satya jagat reasons for sorrow and demonstrated by his Bhagwan’. In a sense Sri Ramanuja explained life and teachings the path to be traversed from how creation began to evolve from the absolute bondage to salvation and perfection.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Who Is Krishna?
    Gopal’s Fun School RS No. Kanhaiyya-Nitai- 001 WHO IS KRISHNA? This is Krishna. Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. See how beautiful He is! He stands in a threefold bending form. He plays sweet music on His flute. The color of Krishna’s body is blue like a monsoon rain cloud. He wears yellow silk garments. He is decorated with beautiful jewels and flowers. He always wears a peacock feather in His hair. Sweet smelling Tulasi leaves decorate His lotus feet. In Vrindavan everyone loves Krishna very much. Teacher’s sign: ___________ Parent’s sign: ______ Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Gopal’s Fun School (GFS) Kanhaiya Nitai 002 Lord of the Universe Sri Jagannath is the black color deity in the temple. He is none other than Krishna. Jagannath means Lord of the universe. He holds the Sudarshana Chakra in His lotus hand. Lord Jagannath comes out of the temple every year on the chariot to give darshan to everyone. This day is called Jagannath Ratha Yatra. His elder brother Balaram and younger sister Subhadra Mai accompany Him. By the causeless mercy of Srila Prabhupada now Ratha Yatra is conducted by ISKCON all over the world. In this festival we pull the chariot, and invite the Lord to stay in our heart. Jagannath is very kind to His devotee. Lord Jagannath stays eternally (for ever) in His Dhama called Jagannath Puri (Orissa). Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Gopal’s Fun School (GFS) Kanhaiya Nitai 003 Jagannath Pranam
    [Show full text]
  • 2.Hindu Websites Sorted Category Wise
    Hindu Websites sorted Category wise Sl. No. Broad catergory Website Address Description Reference Country 1 Archaelogy http://aryaculture.tripod.com/vedicdharma/id10. India's Cultural Link with Ancient Mexico html America 2 Archaelogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harappa Harappa Civilisation India 3 Archaelogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civil Indus Valley Civilisation India ization 4 Archaelogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiradu_temples Kiradu Barmer Temples India 5 Archaelogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohenjo_Daro Mohenjo_Daro Civilisation India 6 Archaelogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda Nalanda University India 7 Archaelogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxila Takshashila University Pakistan 8 Archaelogy http://selians.blogspot.in/2010/01/ganesha- Ganesha, ‘lingga yoni’ found at newly Indonesia lingga-yoni-found-at-newly.html discovered site 9 Archaelogy http://vedicarcheologicaldiscoveries.wordpress.c Ancient Idol of Lord Vishnu found Russia om/2012/05/27/ancient-idol-of-lord-vishnu- during excavation in an old village in found-during-excavation-in-an-old-village-in- Russia’s Volga Region russias-volga-region/ 10 Archaelogy http://vedicarcheologicaldiscoveries.wordpress.c Mahendraparvata, 1,200-Year-Old Cambodia om/2013/06/15/mahendraparvata-1200-year- Lost Medieval City In Cambodia, old-lost-medieval-city-in-cambodia-unearthed- Unearthed By Archaeologists 11 Archaelogy http://wikimapia.org/7359843/Takshashila- Takshashila University Pakistan Taxila 12 Archaelogy http://www.agamahindu.com/vietnam-hindu- Vietnam
    [Show full text]
  • Avinash Patra Edited
    University of Oxford Journal Origin & Antiquity of the Cult of Lord Jagannath Avinash Patra Edited By: Maria Joseph (Vishnupriy Dasi) ā Oxford University Weekly Journal Copyright© Oxford University Press | Avinash Patra 1 University of Oxford Journal Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in Oxford New York Auckland Cape Town Dares Salaam Hong Kong Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Nairobi New Delhi Shanghai Taipei Toronto Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries www.oup.com First Published in Great Britain on 2011 by Oxford University Press weekly Journal Department, Oxford, U.K Copyright © Oxford University Press 2011 Avinash Patra has asserted his right under the University of Oxford press Copyright, Designs and World-class Family Act 2010 to be identified as the author of this work. This Article is belong realist work of Lord Jagannath Origin and Antiquity Culture. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British library. This Article is sold subject to the condition that is shall not, By way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Printed and bound by Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK 2 4 6 8 11 9 8 3 6 Oxford University Weekly Journal Copyright© Oxford University Press | Avinash Patra 2 University of Oxford Journal Dedicate this Journal to my Lord Jagannātha Image of Lord Jagannath Oxford University Weekly Journal Copyright© Oxford University Press | Avinash Patra 3 University of Oxford Journal Contents I.
    [Show full text]
  • SRIVAISHNAVISM No.1
    OM NAMO BHAGAVATHE VISHVAK SENAYA NAMA : SRIVAISHNAVISM No.1. WEEKLY MAGAZINE FOR SRIVAISHNAVITES. Estd : 07 – 05 -2004. Issue dated 22-03-2009. editor : poigaiadian swamigal. Sub editor : sridhara srinivasan. Flower : 4 petal : 46. srivaishnavism LETTERS FROM OUR READERS. A beautiful composition inspired by the name Adyaril. Adiyen could not have imagined that the name Adyar could inspire a poet. With best regards TGRamamurthi ABOUT THE TAMIL KAVITHAI “ ADAYANINAINTHA “ I am regularly going through your divine mails...and thankyou very much for the pain you are taking to enrich our sampradhaya knowledge.. The recent mail on Vivaha Manthrarthangal is also very good & very explanatory with namaskarams. Gayatri thank u very much for these efforts. adiyen- anuradha raghavan ABOUT DESIKASTHOTHRANGAL IN TAMIL & JIDHANTHE STHOTHRAM. Very happy please include my address in your mailing list. V. Parthasarathy, No.6 Kailash Nagar, II st, Lawspet, Puducherry 605 008.Bye. Yes. I am happy. N Balaji Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha: Thats a wondrfull effort and service to fellow Bhagavadas. Let Thayar and perumal bless the effort by making it reach many bhagavadas. Adiyen Srinivas ABOUT SRIVAISHNAVISM MAGAZINE IN OTHER YAHOO GROUPS. ************************************************************************************** READERS ARE REQUESTED TO SEND THEIR COMMENTS TO ; [email protected]. SRIVAISHNAVISM SRIMADH RAHASYATHRIYASAARAM. “IF YOU HAVE REFORMED ME FROM WICKEDNESS. WHAT REQUITAL CAN I MAKE TO YOU?” WHEN THE SISHYA HANDS OVER THE GREAT WEALTH OF THE TRUTHS CONTAINED IN THE GIST OF THE THREE MYSTERIES (MONTHRAS) THUS ACQUIRED BY HIM (FROM HIS ACHARYA) TO ONE WHO, AS POINTED OUT IN AN EARLIER CHAPTER, HAS BEEN FOUND FIT FOR IT,M HE SHOULD IMPART INSTRUCTION FIRST ON THE SUCCESSION OF ACHARYAS AND REVEAL ALSO HIS GRATITUDE (TO THEM) AND THE ACREDNESS OF THOSE TRUTHS.
    [Show full text]
  • Rudra 2011 Draft 04 Pradip
    Swami Bodhananda Saraswati PROGRAM Spiritual Director and Founder The Sambodh Society, Inc. SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 TEA & SNACKS - 8:00 a.m. PUJAS 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 1. Preliminaries, Sankalpa, Ganapati Puja 2. Punyaha Vachana - Purification Rituals Sambodh Center for Human Excellence Kalamazoo, MI 3. Procession and Installation - Pillars & Flags Permit No. 401 U. S. Postage Paid In the quiet woodlands of Kalamazoo, MI, Sambodh HOMAS 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Organization Non-Profit Center for Human Excellence (SCHE) is quietly Society, Inc. The Sambodh 1. Agnisthapana 2. Mahaganapati Homa emerging as a major facility in the United States for 3. Mahalakshmi Homa the teaching of Vedanta, Meditation, Ayurveda and PRASADAM - LUNCH 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Yoga fostered by the Dharmic vision: the unity of all, and the unity of all spiritual paths. SCHE serves as the HOMAS - 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. headquarters of The Sambodh Society, Inc. and is A Cordial Invitation to attend the 1. Ritwik Varanam 2. Sudarshana Homa maintained by devotees, donors and friends. 3. Dhanvantari Homa 4. Parvati Kalyan Mantra Homa Under the inspired leadership of Swami Bodhananda, 9TH ANNUAL 5. Navagraha Homa 6. Closing Rituals and Arati Sambodh Society and SCHE aspire to nurture a community of spiritual seekers who 1) work selflessly BREAK & SNACKS 5:00 p.m. for the spiritual uplift of humanity; 2) learn from the SHRI MAHA CULTURAL PROGRAM 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. best of both Eastern and Western traditions; and, 3) are steeped in Vedanta, a vision which sees the world UDRABHISHEKAM Children’s Program: Led by Sue Johnson & Neena Marion R as one family and that all paths lead to the same Truth.
    [Show full text]
  • Prusaprinters
    Venkateswara - Destroyer of Sins 3D MODEL ONLY Scan Hindu Heritage VIEW IN BROWSER updated 4. 12. 2020 | published 15. 11. 2020 Summary Venkateswara, is an avatar of Vishnu and is the presiding deity of the Tirupati temple. The richest Hindu temple by far. Venkateswara literally means "Lord of Venkata". The word is a combination of the words Venkata (the name of a hill in Andhra Pradesh, India) and isvara ("Lord"). In this Balaji iconography he is depicted with the ornate towering crown, and the plethora of garlands. From beneath the layers of which his feet could be seen. The Lord’s image has four arms, the upper two being carved to hold the chakram and the conch; the chakram and the conch are not integral parts of the main idol. The upper right arm holds the Sudarshana Chakra; the upper left arm holds the Panchajanya, the conch of Lord Vishnu which is blown by Him in times of war. The lower right hand of the Lord is in the Varada Hasta pose, while the lower left hand is in the Katyavalambita pose. Actually the fingers of the left hand rest on the left thigh, with the thumb of the hand almost parallel to the waist line. The pillars and arch that define His altar have been finished with remarkable attention to detail, a sharp-tusked kirtimukham (a swallowing fierce monster face with huge fangs, and gaping mouth) graces the zenith of the arch, a gruesome, awe-inspiring guardian of the threshold. Source: https://cbkwgl.wordpress.com/2017/01/06/lord-venkateswara-of- tirumala-a-description-of-the-idol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Venkateswara ScanHinduHeritage.org - a mission to document Hindu sculptural traditions.
    [Show full text]
  • The Glory of God: a Summary of the Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana
    THE GLORY OF GOD A SUMMARY OF THE SRIMAD BHAGAVATA MAHAPURANA SWAMI KRISHNANANDA The Divine Life Society Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, India Website: www.swami-krishnananda.org 2 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Bhagavadgita . B.G. Brahmasutra . B.S. Chhandogya Upanishad . C.U. Isavasya Upanishad . Isa Mahabharata . M.B. Panchadasi . Pan. Rigveda . R.V. Srimad Bhagavata . S.B. Svetasvatara Upanishad . S.U. Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali. Y.S. 3 CONTENTS List of Abbreviations ................................................................................ 3 Publishers’ Note ......................................................................................... 4 Discourse 1: King Parikshit's Question to Suka Maharishi ...... 5 Discourse 2: The Process of Creation.......................................... Discourse 3: Kapila’s Instructions to Devahuti ......................... 4323 Discourse 4: The Stories of Siva and Sati, and of Rishabhadeva and Bharata ....................... 61 Discourse 5: Narada Instructs Yudhisthira on Ashrama Dharma .......................................................... 83 Discourse 6: Sri Krishna’s Vrindavana and Dvarka Lilas ....104 Discourse 7: Sri Krishna’s Kurukshetra Lil Discourse 8: The Way to Moksha a......................... ....125 ....................... .........................143 Publishers’ Note The Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana deals with the creation of the world. It is the most philosophical among the Puranas, and its poetry and general literary form are of the highest order and finest execution. The aim of life
    [Show full text]
  • Year IV-Chap.3A-BHAGAVATAM
    CHAPTER THREE Krishna in BHAGAVATAM Year IV Chapter 3-BHAGAVATAM BHAGAVATAM Bhagavatam describes the life of Sri Krishna said in the tenth chapter of Bhagavata Purana. The Purana (all eighteen Puranas) is written by Sage Vyasa and is narrated by his son Shukadeva to Pareekshit, the grandson of Arjuna. Balarama (Rama the strong), the elder brother of Sri Krishna is the eighth incarnation and Krishna (one who is dark in complexion), who is very popular, is the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. They were born towards the end of Dwapara yuga to rid the world from the arrogant and unrighteous kings and asuras. (Krishna is the great expounder of the ‘Song Celestial,’ the Bhagavad Gita.) Mother Earth burdened with sinners took refuge in Brahma in the form of a cow. Brahma in turn prayed to Lord Vishnu. In response to the prayers, Vishnu and Adishesha (another aspect of Vishnu; the serpent on which Vishnu rests) incarnated as Krishna and Balarama in the Yadu house, as the sons of Vasudeva & Devaki and all the devas incarnated as their kith and kin to aid them in their mission. KRISHNA and BALARAMA’S BIRTH Vasudeva was a Yadava prince and son of Shura who ruled Shurasena; and Devaki was the niece of King Ugrasena who ruled Mathura. They got married. Later, when Ugrasena’s son Kamsa affectionately took the reins of the couple’s chariot to drive them to the house of Vasudeva, a voice from the heavens said: “O foolish Kamsa, the eighth child of this very woman will slay you.” Furious Kamsa seized Devaki by the hair and raised his sword to bring it down on her.
    [Show full text]
  • Select Stories from Puranas
    SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS Compiled, Composed and Interpreted by V.D.N.Rao Former General Manager of India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India 1 SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS Contents Page Preface 3 Some Basic Facts common to Puranas 3 Stories related to Manus and Vamshas 5 (Priya Vrata, Varudhini & Pravaraakhya, Swarochisha, Uttama, Tamasa, Raivata, Chakshusa, and Vaiwasvata) The Story of Surya Deva and his progeny 7 Future Manus (Savarnis, Rouchya and Bhoutya) 8 Dhruva the immortal; Kings Vena and Pruthu 9 Current Manu Vaiwasvata and Surya Vamsha 10 (Puranjaya, Yuvanashwa, Purukutsa, Muchukunda, Trishanku, Harischandra, Chyavana Muni and Sukanya, Nabhaga, Pradyumna and Ila Devi) Other famed Kings of Surya Vamsha 14 Origin of Chandra, wedding, Shaapa, re-emergence and his Vamsha (Budha, Pururava, Jahnu, Nahusha, Yayati and Kartaveeryarjuna) 15 Parashurama and his encounter with Ganesha 17 Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Nrisimha, Vamana and Parashurama Avataras 18 Quick retrospective of Ramayana (Birth of Rama, Aranya Vaasa, Ravana Samhara, Rama Rajya, Sita Viyoga, Lava Kusha and Sita-Rama Nidhana) 21 Maha Bharata in brief (Veda Vyasa, Ganga, Bhishma& Pandava-Kauravas & 43 Quick proceedings of Maha Bharata Battle Some doubts in connection with Maha Bharata 50 Episodes related to Shiva and Parvati (Links of Sandhya Devi, Arundhati, Sati and Parvati; Daksha Yagna, Parvati’s wedding, and bitrh of Skanda) 52 Glories of Maha Deva, incarnations, Origin of Shiva Linga, Dwadasha Lingas, Pancha
    [Show full text]
  • International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Management
    [Senapati et al. , 2(4): Oct.-Dec., 2012] ISSN: 2277-5528 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES & MANAGEMENT “LORD JAGANNATH” CULTURE OF PURI, ODISHA Bibhuti Bhusan Senapati ABSTRACT Jagannath (or Jagannatha) meaning "Lord of the Universe", is a deity worshipped primarily by Hindu people, mainly in the Indian states of Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, Manipur and Tripura and by Hindus in Bangladesh. Jagannath is considered a form of Vishnu or his avatar Krishna by the Hindus. Jagannath is worshipped as part of a triad on the "Ratnavedi" (jewelled platform) along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra by his devotees. The icon of Jagannath is a carved and decorated wooden stump with large round eyes and with stumps as hands, with the conspicuous absence of any legs. The worship procedures, practices, sacraments and rituals of Jagannath do not conform with those of classical Hinduism.[3] The principal image of the deity is at the temple city of Puri in Odisha. It is made of wood, which is an exception to common Hindu iconographic deities of metal or stone.[4] The origin and evolution of Jagannath worship, as well as iconography, is unclear and has been subject to intense academic debate. Jagannath lacks a clear vedic reference and is also not a member of the traditional Dashavatara concept or the classical Hindu pantheon, though in certain Oriya literary creations, Jagannath has been treated as the Ninth avatar, by substituting Buddha. Jagannath considered as a form of the Hindu God Vishnu, is non-sectarian and has not been associated with any particular denomination of Hinduism in entirety, though there are several common aspects with Vaishnavism, Saivism, Shaktism, Smartism, as well as with Buddhism and Jainism.
    [Show full text]
  • Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
    Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Based on the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada By Yaduraja Dasa Published by Sankirtana Seva Trust Bangalore A book in English SRI CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU This book was adapted and compiled from the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of ISKCON, by Yaduraja Dasa who has been a member of ISKCON since 1982. Originally from England, Yaduraja Dasa has written numerous articles for magazines and plays for both stage and BBC radio, all based on the teachings of Lord Krishna as presented by Srila Prabhupada. Published by Sankirtana Seva Trust, Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road, Bangalore-10 Printed at Brilliant Printers Pvt. Ltd. Lottegollahalli, Bangalore [Total Pages : 80, 1/8 Crown] © 2011 Sankirtana Seva Trust, Bangalore All Rights Reserved ISBN: 81-8239-002-8 First Printing 2003 : 5000 copies Second Printing 2010 (Revised) : 3000 copies Third Printing 2011 (Revised) : 4000 copies Fourth Printing 2014 (Revised) : 2000 copies Fifth Printing 2015 : 1500 copies Readers interested in the subject matter of this book are invited by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to correspond with its Secretary at the following address: International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road, Rajajinagar, Bangalore - 560 010. Tel: 080-32214522, 23471956 Mobile: 9341211119 Email: [email protected] Website: www.iskconbangalore.org Contents Divine Childhood ...................................................6 Brilliant Youth .....................................................20 The Beginning of a Massive Spiritual Revolution 26 In Jagannatha Puri ............................................. 41 Flooding South India with the Holy Name ..........47 Travelling to Vrindavana .....................................52 Transforming the Impersonalists ........................56 Winning the Buddhists........................................60 Conclusion .........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sri Vishnu Brahmotsavam
    Hindu Community and Cultural Center 1232 Arrowhead Ave, Livermore, CA 94551 A Non-Profit Organization since 1977 Tax ID# 94-2427126; Inc# D0821589 Shiva-Vishnu Temple Tel: 925-449-6255; Fax: 925-455-0404 Om Namah Shivaya Om Namo Narayanaya Web: http://www.livermoretemple.org Navarathri Sri Vishnu Brahmotsavam Friday, October 4th, 2019 through Sunday, October 6th, 2019 Sri Vishnu Brahmotsavam festival is one of the most important and auspicious functions celebrated at Shiva Vishnu Temple. Popular stories trace the origin of this celebration to Brahma, the creator God, who first conducted this festival to Lord Venkateshwara as a way to give thanks for the Lord’s protection of mankind. Hence, this function bears his name as “Brahmotsavam”. The Brahmotsavam is performed over a three-day period at Shiva Vishnu Temple. On the start of the first day, the rite of “Ankurarpanam” (sowing of the seeds to signify fertility, prosperity and abundance) is performed. During the three days of the festival, the religious activities include daily homas and the utsava murti, decorated with different alamkarams and mounted on different vahanas, circumambulate the temple in a grand procession. The concluding day is celebrated in a grand way with Choorna Abhishekam (special abhishekams for the Utsava Murti), the Sudarshana Chakra is bathed and all the devotees bathe afterwards. The priests pay respects to Gods and Sages with the chanting of Vedic mantras and see them off on their return to the Devaloka. The Brahmotsavam celebration provides a unique opportunity for all devotees to participate in the festivities and receive the blessings of Lord Balaji.
    [Show full text]