THE IMPORTANCE OF ‘HOLY DIPS’ IN MARGASHIRSH

Continuing with the description of the significance of various months, Sutji said– ‘Once, while Lord Vishnu was engrossed in his ‘yoganidra’ at Shwetdweepa, Lord Brahma arrived there and requested him to describe the importance of Margashirsh. Lord Vishnu had told him that a devotee  aspiring  for  unification  with  him,  must…

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JAGANNATH IDOL IS CARVED OUT

After the rituals of final yagya ended, Narada advised Indradyumna to perform the rituals of ‘Purnahuti’  to  mark  the  end  of  Yagya  ceremony.  Narada  then  went  on  to  say–‘  A  tree  is considered to be the partial incarnation (Ansha avatar) of Lord Vishnu for each of his hair that falls…

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LORD VARAHA MANTRA

On their way, Prithvi requested Lord Varaha to reveal the sacred mantra, chanting of which makes him pleased. Lord Varaha said–‘The secret mantra that pleases me to no limits is —Om Naham Shrivarahay Dharanyu Uddharnay Swaha. This mantra is capable of liberating a man and also brings all sort of…

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THE GREATNESS OF PRANAV MANTRA

Sage Vamadev was a great devotee of lord Shiva from his birth. He never used to remain at a place for long. One day he had gone to a mountain peak named Kumar, which was situated towards the south of Sumeru Mountain. He met Kartikeya who revealed to him that…

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3) VIRTUES OF WORSHIPPING LORD SHIVA

Sage Lomesh told the assembled sages— One who brooms the courtyard of Shiva temple attains to Shiva loka. Those who make offerings of incense to Lord Shiva not only liberate himself from the bondage of this world but also both his ‘Kulas’. One who gets constructed a Shiva temple or…

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SRI KRISHNA DOES PENANCE

Sri Krishna then proceeded to do his penance after getting initiated by Upamanyu with the mantra – OM NAMAH SHIVAY. He did a tremendous penance for fifteen months by standing on his toe. In the sixteenth month lord Shiva and Parvati appeared before him after being pleased by his penance….

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TRIPURASUR – THE THREE DEMONS

Narada requested lord Brahma to narrate how lord Shiva annihilated the demons. Lord Brahma narrated the tale of Tripurasur. “After the killing of Tarakasur, three of his sons started doing their penance. The eldest among them was Tarkasha, younger to him was Viddyunmali and Kamalaksha was the youngest. I (Brahma)…

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THE ORIGIN OF SOMNATH

The moon had twenty seven wives, one of whom was Rohini. The moon loved Rohini very much, which made the rest of his wives very jealous and angry. They went to their father – Daksha and complained about Moon’s behaviour. Daksha went to Moon and advised him to give proper…

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CHAPTER – 16 DESCRIPTION OF DWADASHI FAST

The sages say: “O fortunate one! You have obliged us narrating the tale of sacred Ganges. Now we desire to hear what Narada asked Sanatkumar.” Suta says: “O great sages! Now I narrate what Narada asked Sanatkumar, listen to it carefully.” Narada says: “I am blessed hearing the pious tale…

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IMPORTANCE OF RUDRAKSHA

Rudraksha is very dear to lord Shiva and hence all the sins of a man get destroyed if he chants the name of Lord Shiva using a Rudraksha beads. He also attains salvation after his death. It is believed that the origin of Rudraksha is connected with Shiva penance. Once…

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GREATNESS OF SHIVALINGA — PILLAR OF FIRE — OMKAR

GREATNESS OF SHIVALINGA–PILLAR OF FIRE– OMKAR According to Suta, if a person is incapable of following the above mentioned three activities i.e. Shravana, Kirtan and Manan then he should worship the Shivalinga. Even by doing this he can attain liberation from all the bondages of the world. Describing about the…

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65) VAJRESHWARI VIDYA

The sages requested Suta to elaborate upon the rituals of Vajravahanika Vidya or Vajreshwari Vidya. Suta replied— Anybody who is desirous of vanquishing his enemy must perform the rituals of Vajreshwari Vidya. The devotee should worship Vajra (a spear) and make offerings in the sacrificial fire holding it (Vajra) in…

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7) DREAMS AND OMENS

Dreams and omens help people to predict the future. A person who cannot see the Pole Star (Dhruva) or the Milky Way (Chhayapatha) will die within the space of a year. If the sun seems to be faded to you, you will not live for more than eleven months. A…

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MRITYU ASHTAK STOTRA

Describing the origin of this stotra, Sutji said– ‘Lord Vishnu himself had taught this powerful stotra to Sage Markandeya. The daily chanting of this powerful mantra had enabled Markandeya to conquer death. One who daily chants this stotra thrice a day enjoys a long life and never dies a premature…

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LAKSHMI MANTRA

A devotee desirous of acquiring wealth and prosperity must worship Goddess Lakshmi with appropriate rituals. He should begin by making salutations to the goddess by chanting the following mantra — Om Srim Hrim Mahalakshmyai Namah. Then follows the rituals of ‘Shadangnyas’ that is performed by chanting the specific mantras meant…

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SHIVA MANTRA

There are various mantras used in the rituals of Shiva worship. A devotee should begin by worshipping the ‘Asan’ (the pedestal) on which the deity is seated. There is a specific mantra for this particular ritual- Om Hram Shivay Namah. Subsequently, a salutation to lord Shiva is made by chanting…

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LORD SHIVA APPEARS AS A BEGGAR

There was a king named Satyarath who ruled over Vidarbha. Once he was attacked by a neighbouring king. Satyarath was killed in that battle. His wife somehow managed to save her life by hiding in a forest. The queen was pregnant at that time. At the shore of a pond…

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IMPORTANCE OF RUDRAKSHA

IMPORTANCE OF RUDRAKSHA Rudraksha is very dear to lord Shiva and hence all the sins of a man get destroyed if he chants the name of Lord Shiva using a Rudraksha beads. He also attains salvation after his death. It is believed that the origin of Rudraksha is connected with…

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