Durga Puja

The story of Kartikeya

Hi all,

Once upon a time, there was a very powerful demon called Tarakasura. He wanted absolute power! Who doesn't? Ask Bill Gates, if you have any doubt!
He devised a cunning plan - perform tapasya (obeisance, sacrifice, meditation, you take your pick) for Brahma, the creator. Kept at it for so long that even Brahma got fed up. Came and blessed him with one boon. "Simple" Taraka said "Make me immortal."

Brahma was amused! "You cannot be serious!" he said (McEnroe copied this about 4000 years later!). :nono:

"Whoever is born, must die. Yama cannot be denied."

But Taraka would not be denied. Told you, he had a cunning plan.

Taraka said "OK, let me die only at the hand of Shiva's son, when he is only seven months old." "Done" said Brahma and vanished.

Clever - he congratulated himself.

Shiva is engrossed in eternal penance at the loss of his soul-mate Princess sati, he will never marry and so cannot have a son. And even if he has one, what can a seven-month old do against me?

Thus fortified, he conquered all the devas, and devis and took possession of heaven. He simply took all the wealth and possessions and demanded servitude from all. The devas, downtrodden now, went to Brahma for advice. "This is another fine mess you have got us into. Now get us out of it!" (loosely adapted from Laurel and Hardy).

Brahma said "Get Kamadeva (Deity of love) to break Shiva's penance and marry Parvati. Goodness knows, she has pined long enough!" Against the advice of his wife Rati, Kamadeva, the ever-bold, approached Shiva, deep in meditation and lost to the world. He took careful aim and shot his fifth arrow (the best) directly at Shiva. Shiva woke up, very annoyed at this interruption. Very annoyed indeed! One glance from his third eye, and Kamadeva became ashes. (but that's another story).

But the irresistible fifth arrow had already left its mark. Shiva could not take his eyes off the celestial beauty of Parvati.:043: Got married. A son was born with knowledge of divine weapons. As the six divine Krittikas nursed him, he was called Kartikeya. Son of Shiva and Parvati, it took him only weeks to master the scriptures and become valiant in battle. Six months passed.

All devas gave him their weapons and grouped behind him in battle formation. Facing Tarakasura they fought valiantly but were defeated. Even Indra, Vishnu and Shiva could not withstand the might of Taraka. :023:

The boy eas so small that he was obscured by the form of all the Gods upto now. But when they were defeated, the boy went forward and faced Taraka. The asura laughed and said to the gods

"Cowards. Shame on you. Sent a child like a lamb to the tiger's mouth!" To Kartikeya he said "Go play with your friends, wrestle them if you must. This is no place for a child. Send your father to fight me, if you must". :008:
Kartikeya replied, "Do you measure valour by size? With but one syllable the sacred word 'aum~' comprises the whole of creation. Give me battle or accept defeat!" :dance:

A fight to death commenced. With blow after blow, Taraka, felled the boy again and again, until even the deities were despondent.

But Kumara (another name for Kartikeya, but that's anoth story) said "Fear not, ye immortals. Taraka's end is near" Saying thus he picked up the trident that his father had given him. He meditated on the form of Mahakala (another name for Shiva, his father) and Ma Durga (another form for Parvati) and energised his tiny trident with all their combined energies. :033:

He picked up that iridiscent trident with all his strength and hurled it straight at Tarakasura.

Nothing, but nothing could stop that trident. Taraka fell, dead.

Ever since then Kartikeya has been known as the amar-senapati, the Commander-in-chief of the Immortals!

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Regards.

Prashna

The story of Ganesha(from the Shiv Purana).

Hi all,

Ah, well, you know, a year or two had passed. And, even a deva can afford to remain engrossed in a devi for only so long. He had a few jobs to do, like getting to work, bringing home the bacon, that sort of thing (as Rachel Green was to discover in 'Friends', several millenia later)!

He had made a luxurious palace for Parvati and left his own two bodyguards, Nandi and Bhringi to guard the gates. You can't be too careful, there were muggers and burglars even then. They were good, too good.

Wouldn't let in even Parvati's own handmaidens, Jaya and Vijoya. They complained to Parvati. "What are you, a devi or a mouse" they said "you got to show who's boss! Stand up for yourself, devi" they urged. The Americans must have overheard and invented/stolen the science of assertiveness.

Parvati took a handful of clay from her garden pond, OK ocean, to you and me), moulded it into a handsome boy, gave life to it and named him Ganesha. She promptly relieved Nandi and Bhringii from their duties, who went gladly having been awarded a golden handshake AND a very generous index-linked pension. She told Ganesha "Guard the gate, Don't let anyone enter, while I have a bath!"

Unaware of the delicate situation, Shiva turned up with a few of his mates. Ganesha stopped him. "Where do you think you are going! You can't enter, my Mom is having a bath, in peace, if you please!" "I am Shiva" "And I am Ganesha" Stalemate!

Shiva asked his heavies Nandii and Bhringii (brought back from semi-retirement, just like Agassi) to remove this upstart. Bless 'em, they tried. Couldn't shift the boy.

Brahma came to help and was thrown some distance. Vishnu released his fearsome Sudarshan Chakra. Ganesh kept gobbling chunks of it like Polo (the mint, not the sport).

This was now a matter of pride, a battle of the sexes, nothing less. Parvati's honour was at stake. She kept regenerating and energising the divine weapons wielded by the boy.

Vishnu devised a plan. He told Shiva attack from behind while I keep the boy busy with my chakra. Shiva cut off the boy's head from behind with his trident.

Parvati became angry, really, really angry. And you wouldn't like her when she gets this angry! (Move over, you Incredible Hulk) She rose up with her brow furred. The whole world began to tremble and rightly so because a supernova was imminent. Narada was sent to mediate and pacify Parvati. She agreed on two conditions:

1. Return Ganesha to life
2. Accept Ganesha as a full-fledged deity with full rights and privileges due.

"Done" said Shiva. What could he do? Have you seen any husband act otherwise?
"Done" echoed Vishnu.
"Done" agreed all the deities.

Shiva sent his companions (known as 'ganas') to bring back the freshly severed head of the first sentient being they found, which just happened to be an elephant. Shiva did the usual trick, the standard head transplant (Dr Christiaan Barnard mugged up on this a few millenia later).

He made Ganesh the commander of his army of 'ganas'. Hence the name, ganapati.

And furthermore, he decreed that from that day forward Ganesh MUST be worshipped, before any deity could be worshipped.

A practice that continues to this day.

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Regards.

Prashna

A little apology

Hi all,

I may have given the impression that Durga Puja in Autumn is in fact 'akal bodhan' (or Untimely Invocation). And thereby unwittingly offended the non-Bengali's amongst us!

But Shrii Shrii Chandii says nothing of the sort. Quite the contrary, according to that scripture, Durga Puja in Autumn is EXACTLY as it should be and as it was originally performed by the displaced King, Suratha and the cheated Baishya, Samaadhi.

They were the first to worship Shrii Shrii Chandii as advised by Rishi Medhaa. The entire Chandii is that story as narrated by Rishi Medhaa.

So who or what is this Chandii?

More critically, what of all these idols? Do they not PROVE that Hindus are Polytheists and idol-worshippers?

Nothing could be further from the truth!

As the next story from Kena Upanishad ("At whose Command") illustrates.

Regards.

Prashna

At whose Command?

Hi all,

This is from the Kena Upanishad.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The asuras, demons, were not going to give up their supremacy without a fight! And why should they?

They were powerful, some of them a lot more powerful than the Immortal Deities!

Inevitably, a battle ensued.

The Devas gained victory and became somewhat vain. Do you blame'em? Wouldn't you be? Don't you park your brand new 4x4 outside your drive knowing full well that the new paintwork would be better protected in the double garage in your house?

They forgot that the only reason they gained victory was that they were blessed with Brahma-shakti (the power of Brahman). They thought they had won this magnificent victory by themselves, with their own power. To remove their false pride, Brahman, the formless one, assumed the form of a Yaksha (Supernatural being) and appeared before them.

The deities were puzzled and frankly felt a bit apprehensive. They couldn't fathom this mysterious creature!

So they sent Agni, the Fire-deity, to investigate and report back as to what or who this Yaksha was. As Agni approached, the Yaksha asked "Who and what are you?"

Agni replied proudly "I am agni, and the jataveda (knower of the Vedas). I can burn all earthly things."

The yaksha picked up a little piece of dry straw and asked "Then, all-powerful agni, burn away this little straw!"

Agni tried. The straw remained unburnt! With head bowed, agni returned and reported, "I cannot fathom this Yaksha."

So the Deities sent Vayu, the Wind-deity, to investigate and report back as to what or who this Yaksha was. As Vayu approached, the Yaksha asked "Who and what are you?"

Vayu replied proudly "I am Vayu , and I can blow away all earthly things."

The yaksha picked up a little tuft of grass and asked "Then, all-powerful Vayu , blow away away this little tuft of grass!"

Vayu tried. The tuft of grass didn't shift one millimetre! With head bowed, Vayu returned and reported, "I cannot fathom this Yaksha."

So they sent Indra, the foremost of Deities, to investigate and report back as to what or who this Yaksha was. As Indra approached, the Yaksha vanished!

In his place appeared Uma, the beautiful daughter of Himavat.

Indra asked Uma, "who was that Yaksha?"

Uma replied, "Verily, know him as the eternal Brahman, by whose grace the world exists!" And Uma also vanished.

And Indra reported back to all the deities!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Regards.

Prashna

Durga Puja Venues

Hi all,

Today is MahaNavamii, the ninth day in DeviPaksha, the fortnight devoted to Devii or Shrii Shrii Chandii.

Today is the final day of the celebrations. As it falls on a Saturday this year, I expect it to be particularly well attended this year.

Just reportin on the last two days, the venue that I attend was very well attended indeed. Not only by Hindus generally (as opposed to Bengali Hindus) but also by others including many Westerners.

It was very satisfying for me to welcome the Englsh young man who had married a Bengali girl and similarly the Welsh girl who came with a Bengali young man that I have known since birth.

All were made most welcome and participated in the feast (prasad) afterwards and enjoyed the cultural programme also.

I hope some of you will take the opportunity to visit your local Puja, if any, this evening. It will give you a unique opportunity to actually meet Hindus and directly interact with them.

This site gives the venues of the Pujas worldwide. 24 venues in England (UK)are listed.

Regards.

Prashna

Shubha BijoyA

Hi all,

Today is Shubha (auspicious) BijoyA Dashamii or Dussera and it is customary for Hindus to greet all relatives and friends and wish them well for the next 12 months.

I would like to wish everyone who reads this post a very happy and fulfilling year for the next 12 months.

Best wishes.

Prashna

Hi all,

Today is Shubha (auspicious) BijoyA Dashamii or Dussera and it is customary for Hindus to greet all relatives and friends and wish them well for the next 12 months.

I would like to wish everyone who reads this post a very happy and fulfilling year for the next 12 months.

Best wishes.

Prashna

And the same to you Prashna!

Mahalakshmii

Hi everyone,

Shubha bijoya or auspicious bijoya greetings for peace and prosperity for the next 12 months!

Tomorrow is Lakshmii Puja and I would like to narrate the story of Ma Lakshmii as I said in Msg 1.

Most of the story can be found in the pages I have linked to in the thread on Lakshmii Puja. But one aspect still remains unsaid. Why is the idol of Ma Lakshmii beside Ma Durga?

According to some legends, especially in Bengal, Ma Lakshmii is the daughter of Ma Durga. Such legends do serve a most useful purpose, as aids to realisation and memory.

However, according to another legend, MahaLakshmii is another form of Shrii Shrii Chandii. In that form, Mahalakshmii is the form illustrating the rajas guna, or preservation/action attribute (very rough translation, indeed. No accurate translation possible).

Mahalakshmii is the deity of the middle part of Shrii Shrii Chandii, composed in Ushnik chhanda (Ushnik mitre). Her eighteen arms are equipped with meditaion bead formed of rudraksha, axe, arrows, thunderbolt, energy weapon, scilmitar, shield, conch-shell, lotus, bell, noose, sudarshan chakra etc. She neutralised the demon Mahishasura.

The ten-armed form of Ma Durga is a variation or alternative form.

Regards.

Prashna