“A proficient sculptor should be chosen to carve out the deity’s shape from a pure and spotless stone. First of all the sculptor should clearly draw the outline of deity’s appearance on the stone with a marker and then carefully carve it out from the stone. The idol is then…
Glorifying devotion as the simplest means to reach God, Sutji told Shaunak that there was nothing else that pleased God more than the unflinching devotion of his devotee in him. Sutji said– ‘A devotee who chants the holy name of God acquires imperishable virtues and attains salvation even if he…
Kartikeya or Skanda was born after some days. The boys shone with the radiance of a thousand suns and had six (shada) faces (anana). He was therefore also known as Shadanana. The gods armed Kartikeya with diverse weapons and appointed him their general. They requested him to kill the…
Hiranyakasiipu was a worthy opponent of Lord Vishnu, born repeatedly, which necessitated multiple incarnations of Vishnu to conquer this powerful asura and restore dharma (righteousness) to earth. A demon of this magnitude would have quite a lineage and an appropriate source of his tremendous powers. There was a time…
Hiranyahasta’s story came from a time when gods had sons with princesses. Hiranyahasta’s mother was Princess Vadhrimati, who was married to a eunuch. Despondent that she could not have a child, Vadhrimati prayed to the Asvins, the divine twins. The physicians of the devas happily fulfilled her desire. Hiranyahasta…
The word hiranyagarbha is found in the Vedic literature referring to the primeval origin of the world within a golden womb or shell. It remained an image that was not greatly developed. For further details, refer to chapter 1 on creation myths, “Cosmogony, Theogony, and Anthropogony.”
