Quiz on Karthigai Deepam

1. How long is the Karthigai Bramhotsavam festival at Thiruvannamalai? – 16 Days actually. But 10 days are festive days
2. Who are the Panchamurthi’s who are given prominence during Karthigai Deepam Festival? - Lord Ganapathi, Lord Murugan, Lord Sandeswarar, Lord Arunachaleswarar and Goddess Parvathi
3. How different is the Karthigai festival amongst Shaivites and Vaishnavites? – For Shaivites it falls on the Full moon day of the Month of Karthigai. For Vaishnavites, it falls on the day that has the Kruthigai star. For Shaivites lighting of the Karthigai Mahadeepam is significant. It symbolizes Lord Shiva who appeared as a flame. For Vaishnavites lighting of Sokkappanai (a Bonfire lit in Vishnu temples) is significant. It symbolizes the Third step that Lord Vishnu placed on King Mahabali – pressing him down to underworld.
4. What are the popular Savouries made during Karthigai deepam? Pal payasam, Nei appam, Pori Urundai, Milagu Adai, Ulundu Vadai, Adhirasam, Vella Seedai, Kadalai Urundai
5. How many types of Villaku can you name? – (1) Agal Vilakku, (2) Kuthu Vilakku, (3) Paavai Vilakku (AKA Lakshmi Vilakku), (4) Gaja Vilakku , (5) Kubera Vilakku, (6) Sara Vilakku, (7) Chakra Vilakku, (8) Suzhal Vilakku, (9) Kumba Vilakku, (10) Thorana Vilakku, (11) Nanda Vilakku (AKA Nunda Vilakku), (12) Ma Vilakku, (13) Kannadi Vilakku (14) Kamakshi Vilakku (15) Nila Vilakku (AKA Kerala Vilakku) (16) Kili Vilakku (15) Anna Vilakku (16) Thundamani Vilakku

Quiz on carnatic Music

Q&A Index

1. What is Melakarta/Sampoorna/janaka raga?

2. What are Janya ragas?

1. What is melakarta?

Melakarta is a collection of fundamental ragas (musical scales) in Carnatic music (South Indian classical music). Melakarta ragas are parent ragas (hence known as janaka ragas) from which other ragas may be generated. In Hindustani music the Thatt is equivalent of Melakarta. There are 10 thaats in Hindustani music, though the commonly accepted melakarta scheme has 72 ragas. A melakarta raga is sometimes referred as mela, karta or sampoorna raga as well.

Rules for Melakarta
Ragas must contain the following characteristics to be considered Melakarta.

 They are sampurna ragas - they contain all seven swaras (notes) of the octave in both ascending and descending scale
 They are krama sampurna ragas - that is the sequence is strictly ascending and descending in the scales, without any jumps or zig-zag notes
 The upper shadjam is included in the raga scale (ragas like Punnagavarali and Chenchurutti are not melakarta as they end with nishadham)
 The ascending and descending scales must have the same notes

Each melakarta raga has a different scale. This scheme envisages the lower Sa (Keezh Shadjamam), upper Sa (Mael Shadjamam) and Pa (Panchamam) as fixed swaras, with the Ma (Madhyamam) having two variants and the remaining swaras Ri (Rishabam), Ga (Gandhaaram), Dha (Dhaivatham) and Ni (Nishaadham) as having three variants each. This leads to 72 seven-note combinations (scales) referred to as the Melakarta ragas as follows.

The 72 melakarta ragas are split into 12 groups called chakras, each containing 6 ragas. The ragas within the chakra differ only in the dhaivatham and nishadham notes (D and N), as illustrated below. The name of each of the 12 chakras suggest their ordinal number as well.

The 72 melakarta ragas can be divided into two parts. viz.,. suddha Madhyamam and prati Madhyamam ragas. When a given suddha madhyamam raga's M1 is replaced by M2, we get the corresponding prati madhyamam raga.

2. What are Janya Ragas?

Janya ragas are derived from the melakarta ragas. The simplest way to generate a janya raga is to leave out one or more of the swaras in the arohanam and/or avarohanam. For example, if we drop out the Ma and Ni in the arohanam of Dheerasankaraabharanam, we end up with Sa - Ri - Ga - Pa - Da - Sa for the arohanam and a sampoorna avarohanam. The resulting raga is called Bilahari. Thus, Bilahari is described as a janya raga of the 29th
melakarta Dheerasankaraabharanam with an arohanam - avarohanam of Sa - Ri - Ga - Pa - Da - Sa, Sa - Ni - Da - Pa - Ma - Ga - Ri - Sa. This means that when going up the scale, one may use only the notes of the arohanam, namely, Sa, Ri, Ga, Pa, Da and Sa whereas, all seven notes can be used in descent. Thus, when a Ma or Ni is used, one has to necessarily descend
(using notes from the avarohanam).

Dropping out more than two swaras results in a scale that is very limited and experience suggests that it is virtually impossible to create a distinct raga swaroopam with the remaining swaras. However, there are some ragas which use only four swaras in the arohanam or avarohanam as in the case of Navarasa Kannada, derived from the 28th melakarta Harikaambhoji, with a structure of Sa-Ga-Ma-Pa-Sa, Sa-Ni-Da-Ma-Ga-Ri-Sa. Just like a complete arohanam or avarohanam is called sampoornam, one with a single swara
dropped out is called shadava and one with two swaras left out is termed oudava. Allowing the arohanam and avarohanam to be sampoornam, shadava or oudava independently, the following possible arohanam - avarohanam types can be constructed.
(1) sampoorna - sampoorna
(2) sampoorna - shadava
(3) sampoorna - oudava
(4) shadava - sampoorna
(5) oudava - sampoorna
(6) shadava - shadava
(7) shadava - oudava

(8) oudava - shadava
(9) oudava - oudava

The first case evidently refers to the melakartas themselves and does not generate any janya ragas. The example of Bilahari belongs to the 5th or oudava - sampoorna case. Using the sampoorna - shadava case as an example, there are 72 sampoorna arohanams and six shadava avarohanams for each, leading to total of 432 janya ragas of this type. By the same
argument, there are 432 janya ragas of shadava - sampoorna type. Following this procedure, one can arrive at a total of about thirty thousand independent janya ragas. However, a large number of these are not in use since they do not have distinct raga swaroopas. This brings us to the important observation that it is not just mathematical jugglery that produces ragas. As the saying goes, 'Ranjayathi ithi Raga' - that which is beautiful is a raga. Ragas are produced through experimenting with the possible combinations, looking for distinct swaroopas. This process has been conducted for centuries by composers and musicians to arrive at the few hundred or so janya ragas
currently in use. The type of janya raga we have considered so far, namely, what is derived by simply dropping notes from a melakarta raga, is called as an Upaanga raga.

There are alternate means of generating janya ragas. The arohanam and/or avarohanam can use a twisted progression. For example, we can construct a janya raga from Dheerasankaraabharanam using the arohanam Sa - Ri - Ma - Da - Ni - Ga - Pa - Sa and a simple sampoorna avarohanam. The resulting raga is called Katanakuthoohalam.

A janya ragam employing a twisted arohanam and/or avarohanam is termed as a Vakra ragam. We can also mix notes from two melakartas in the arohanam and avarohanam to produce janya ragas. For example, the ragam Bhairavi uses Chatusruthi Dhaivatham in its arohanam and Suddha Dhaivatham in its avarohanam. This type of structure is indicated by the term Baashaanga ragam. A ragam can be Baashaangam or Upaangam but not both. The Vakra characteristic can be combined freely with both types. The result is that a very large number of combinations are possible and only the ability to create a distinct swaroopam dictates what combinations are actually used in creating janya ragas. The description of a janya raga usually indicates the melakarta from which it is derived, whether it Vakram or not, whether is Upaangam or Baashaangam, and if it Baashaangam, the swaras which make it so. The arohanam and avarohanam provide further details (like sampoorna, shadava or oudava). The term varja is sometimes used to indicate missing swaras. For example, the raga Sriranjani has an arohanam - avarohanam of Sa - Ri - Ga - Ma - Da -Ni - Sa, Sa - Ni - Da - Ma - Ga - Ri - Sa and is derived from the 22nd melakarta Kharaharapriya. It is thus described as a Panchama varja raga, derived from Kharaharapriya.

Consider another example, Malayamaarutham. It is a Madhyama varja raga derived from the 16th melakarta Chakravaaham. The designation of the parent ragam as Chakravaaham is subjective since the Madhyama varja raga derived from the 52nd melakarta Raamapriya is identical to Malayamaarutham. The problem is that Chakravaaham and Raamapriya differ only in Ma and since Malayamaarutham is Madhyama varja, it can be derived from either. In such cases, the gamakas used in the janya raga have to be studied to decide which of the melakartas is appropriately described as the parent raga. This problem is compounded in the case of Baashaanga ragas which are anyway derived from multiple
melakartas. In any case, the assignment of a parent melakarta is somewhat subjective and various experts often ascribe different parents for a given janya raga. A well known example is the ragam Mohanam, which has an arohanam - avarohanam of Sa - Ri - Ga - Pa - Da - Sa, Sa - Da - Pa - Ga - Ri - Sa, using Chatusruthi Rishabam, Anthara Gandharam and Chatusruthi Dhaivatham. Various authors have classified it as a janya ragam of Harikaambhoji(melakarta no. 28) and Mechakalyaani (65) and more are possible. It is a matter of individual viewpoint as to which is the parent ragam. As long the distinct swaroopam is maintained, it really does not matter what is assigned as the parent ragam.

Quiz on Paavai Nombu

1. Who were the first ones to observe Marghazi Nonbu and towards whom was it initially directed?

It was not Andaal and her friends. But Gopis of Vrindhavan. They observed this fast to please Goddess Katyaayani to get Good husbands.

2. Which places stand as birth places for Thiruppavai and Thiruvempavai? –

Thiruppavai –Srivilliputhur; Thiruvempavai – Tiruvannamalai.

3. Why do men also observe Paavai nonbu when the term Paavai is generally linked to females?

– Because in Bakthi, there is no gender bias. The Lord is the only Love and we are His humble consorts who have nothing else but our unconditional love to offer for His Grace.

4. Andal wrote Thiruppavai. Who wrote Thiruvempavai? –Manickavasagar

5. How many stanzas are there in Thiruppavai and Thiruvempavai? Thiruppavai – 30, Thiruvempaavai - 20

6. What are the singletons that is recited along with Thiruppavai called?

They are called Thaniyans. There are 3 Thaniyans in Thiruppavai and these were not written by Andal. The Thiruppavai also includes 3 thaniyans (literally, 'singletons' or stand alone verses) composed by later authors to introduce older texts. The first tanniyan, 'Nila tungastana...' in Sanskrit was composed by Parasara Pattar, and the next two tanniyans, 'Anna vayal pudhuvai...' and "Choodi kodutha..." (translated below) were composed by Sri Uyyakondar.

Quiz on Hinduism

1)Who is the author of Sivananda Lahari?

Adi Shankarar

2)Where is Vaidhyanath (one of Jyothirlinga Shrines) temple located?

Deogarh in Jharkand

3)What is the meaning of Tat Tvam Asi?

You are That

4)Name all the 12 Alvars of Tamil Nadu.

Poikai, Butham,Pey, Tirumazisai,Madhurakavi,Kulasekara,Tiruppan, Periyalvar,Andal,Nammalvar, Thondaradippodi and Tirumanga

5)What are the four stages of life?

Brahmacharya,Grahasthasrama,Vanaprastha and Sanyasa (student,householder,recluse and ascetic)

6)What are the four Purusharthas (4 aims in life) ?

Dharma ( Religious Laws),Artha (Prosperity/wealth),Kama (Pleasure/Desire) & Moksha (Liberation)

7)Which is the tree under which Shiva sits silent?

Banyan/vata vriksha

8)Where are the four Mutts established by Adi Sankara?

Sringeri,Dwaraka,Badrinath and Puri (Kancheepuram is the place where he attained Mukti)

9)What are the Navagrahas?

Sun,Moon,Mars,Mercury,Jupiter,Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu

10)What did Jnaneswar (aka Dnyaneshwar/Jnandev) write?

Bhavartha Deepika  - a commentary on Bhagavad Gita, popularly known as Jnaneswari/ Dnyaneshwari - in Marathi

11) Where is Kailash, abode of Shiva?

In the Himalayas, inside Chinese territory

12) How many verses are there in Valmiki Ramayana?

24,000

13) Where does “Aham Brahmasmi “ occur?

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

14)What is the weapon of Parasurama?

Parasu (axe)

15) Where does Bhagawad Gita come?

In Bhisma Parva of Mahabharata

16) How many Major Puranas are there?

Eighteen major Puranas & 18 minor Puranas(upa Puranas)

17) Which city is known as the City of Temples in Orissa?

Bhuvaneswar

18) What are Vedangas?

There are six branches of knowledge which help in understanding the Vedas. They are Siksha(phonetics), Kalpam (technique of rituals),Vyakarana (Grammar), Niruktham (etymology), Chandas (Metres) and Jyothisham (astrology)

19) Who wrote Bhaja Govindam?

Adi Shankarar

20) What are the four divisions of each Veda?

Mantras/samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanishads

21) Who is the author of Ramayana (in Sanskrit)?

Valmiki

22) Where is the Mallikarjuna Temple (jyotirlinga shrine) located?

Sri Sailam

23) Who built Angkor Wat temple in Kampuchea (Cambodia)?

Suryavarman II (1113-1150 CE)

24) Who founded the Ramakrishna Mission in India?

Swami Vivekananda , in 1897

25) What was the flag of Arjuna?

Hanuman/monkey

26) Name the demon killed by Krishna on the Deepavali/ Diwali day.

Narakasura

27) Who is the author of Brahmasutras?

Vyasa

28) How many chapters are there in the Bhagawad Gita?

18

29) What are the six systems of Hindu Philosophy?

Sankya,Nyaya,Yoga, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa and Uttara Mimamsa

30) Who is the Guru in Kathopanishad?

Yama

31) Who is the disciple in Kathopanishad?

Nachiketas

32) In which Veda does Sri Rudram occur?

Yajur Veda

33) To which Veda does Prasnopanishad belong?

Atharva Veda

34) What is the birth place of Adi Sankara?

Kaladi, in Kerala

35) Where is the Mahakaleswar Temple located?

Ujjain in Madhya Prades

36) How many times did Thyagaraja recite Rama’s name and how long did it take?

960 million (96 crores) times, it took him 21 years 15 days.

37) Who are the FOUR great Tamil Saivite saints?

Appar(Tirunavukkarasu), Sundarar, Sambandar & Manikkavasagar

38) Who were the FOUR seers, who Veda Vyasa entrusted with the propagation of the four Vedas?

Rig to Paila, Yajur to Jaimini, Sama to Vaisampayana and Atharvana to Sumantu

39) Name the FOUR Manasa Putras (Mind created sons) of Brahma.

Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana & Sanatkumara

40) What are the FOUR divisions of an ancient Indian army?

Ratha (Chariots), Gaja(Elephantry), Thuraga (Cavalry) & Pathathi (Infantry)

41) Name the FOUR ancient methods to achieve your goal.

Sama(gentle persuation), Dhana (Bribes, Offering money or Perks), Beda (Cause dissentions or cause divisions in the opposite enemy camp), Dhanda (Punishment for dis obeyance)

42) What are the FOUR Mahavakyas (Great Truths) in The Upanishads

Aham Brahmasmi, Tat Tvam Asi, Pragnanam Brahma, Ayam Atma Brahma

43) what are the names of the FOUR towns where Kumba Mela is held in roation?

Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayag/Triveni Sangam), Nasik and Ujjain.

44) Where did Suka recite the Puranas (mythology) to his disciples? Where is it?

Naimisaranya; it is in Uttar Pradesh. There is a famous Vaishnavite shrine with the same name.

45) What is the name of the forest that was visited by the famous Tamil saints Appar and Sambandhar ?

Vedaranayam; once the area was full of woods. Now there is a small town with this name. Appar and Sambandhar did miracles in this place.

46) What is the Upanishad that contains the word forest?

Brhat Aranyaka Upanishad (Aranya means forest)

47) In which Vana (forest) Buddha gave his first sermon?

Mrga Vana (Deer Park)

48) What happened in Tarukavanam?

Arrogant ascetics ignored gods. So Shiva and Vishnu went in the disguise of Bikshatana and Mohini and taught them a lesson at Tarukavanam (Vanam means forest)

49) Where is Svetaranyam?

Svetaranyam is Tiru Ven Kadu near Mayiladuthurrai

50) What God you can see in Badarivanam?

Badarivanam is the abode of Vishnu in the form of Nara Narayana or Badari Narayana

51) What is the name given to Indra’s garden?

Indra’s garden is known as Nandanam. That is the name for Temple gardens as well.

52. Who is the lord of death? - Yamadharmaraja. There is a separate shrine for lord yama at the Sri Vanchinathaswamy temple in nannilam taluk, tanjavur district.

53. Who is the father pf Kaveri? - According to legend, a girl called Vishnumaya or Lopamudra, the daughter of Brahma was born, but her divine father allowed her to be considered the foster daughter of sage Kavera-muni . In order to obtain the beatitude for her adoptive father, she resolved to become a river whose waters would have to purify all the sins. This river came to be known as "Kaveri", the daughter of Kavera.

 

54. Where do you find the Shaligrama (or Salagrama) stone? - The name Salagrama refers to the name of the village on the bank of Gandaki (in the Mustang district of Nepal) where the holy stones are picked up.

 

55. What is the name of Sage Narada's veen? - Mahati

 

56. In hinduism, who are the ashta-dikpalas or the guardians of eight directions?

 

57. What is the other names for Udupi? - Rajata peetha / Shivalli (Shivabelli)

 

58. Who is vaikartana? - Surya putra karna

 

59. Ganesha is also known as Ekadanta. Do you know why?

Sage Vyas chose Ganesha for the herculean task of writing the epic Mahabharata. He broke his own tusk and used it as a pen. He is therefore, known as Ekadanta.

 

60. How did Ganesha get the elephant head?

As per Hindu mythology Parvati  A

As per Hindu Mythology, one day, Parvati made a little boy of sandalwood paste and instructed him to guard her chamber,while she took a bath. During this time, Shiva wanted to enter the abode with his followers.s an obedient child, Vinayaka refused entry to Shiva, when he wanted to gain entry. Shiva, who was not familiar with this son, was enraged by the hindrance and ordered his followers to attack the little boy. The boy’s head was chopped off in the fight that ensued. Parvati was aghast with grief on learning the accident and demanded Shiva to restore the boy to life. Shiva, thus, ordered his followers to find a mom who sleeps with her newborn baby. The head of such a baby would be attached to the boy’s body. The followers first found the head of an elephant calf with white tusks. Thus, the re-birth of Ganesha took place with the head of an elephant. Shiva blessed the boy that Ganesha would be worshipped by people before undertaking any task.

61. Dhruva the sacred blade grass holds a special place in Lambodara upasana. Do you know why?

There is a story about Durva grass. Lord Ganesh had to fight with a demon called Analasuran (Fire Demon). As soon as he swallowed the demon Vinayaka’s stomach started burning. When he ate Durva grass the fire subsided. Therefore, Varaganapati is most pleased by the worship of Dhruva tied in garlands or in bunches.

62. Which flower is believed to generate most vibrations in the Ganesh Puja?

Ganapati likes worship done with red hibiscus and yellow marigold flowers. Red hibiscus is believed to generate most vibrations in the Ganesh Puja.

63. Who are the wives of Ganesha?

Shiva and Parvati, pleased with Ganesha’s affection and love, arranged his marriage with two daughters of Prajapati – Siddhi and Budddhi. It is said that he got two sons – Kshema and Labha from Siddhi and Buddhi, respectively.

Yet another legend mentions that Siddhi and Buddhi, daughters of Brahma worshipped Ganesha whole heartedly, that he accepted them as his wives.

64. What is Ganesha's vehicle and what is the story associated with it?

Karaucha, a Gandharva was strolling in the court of Indra, when he accidentally stepped on sage Vamadeva. The enraged sage turned him into a mouse and cursed that he will remain so until  Ganesha made him as his vehicle.The mouse thus was in the hermitage of Sage Parashara, when Ganesha visited the place.

The mouse instantly recognized him and offered prayers to him. Ganapati pleased with his prayers wanted to grant the mouse a boon. The mouse expressed his desire to become his vehicle,which was granted. Thus, Ganapati is always accompanied by Mooshakavahana or the mouse.

Other legends mention that the mouse was a gift to Ganesh from the earth on his birthday.

Quiz on Navagrahas

REFER TO THIS LINK: http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/navagrahas.asp

1.  Name the Navagrahas or the nine planetary deities in Hindu religion.

The Navagrahas are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node). It is believed that these nine planetary deities influence human lives and is responsible for all good or bad times, one faces in life.

2. Shani is the son of? (A) Surya (B) Shiva (C) Brahma (D) Vishnu– Option A

Shani is the son of Surya and his wife Chhaya, hence also known as Chayyaputra. He is the elder brother of Yama, the Hindu god of death, who in some scriptures corresponds to the deliverance of justice. Surya's two sons Shani and Yama judge. Shani gives us the results of one's heeds through one's life through appropriate punishments and rewards; Yama grants the results of one's deeds after death. Shani is associated witht he color black/blue and the metal  Iron

3. Bhed or Ram is the vehicle of which Navgraha? (A) Surya or Sun (B) Mangal or Mars (C) Brishaspati or Jupiter (D) Chandra or Moon – Option B

Mangal(Mars) also known as Angaraka, is a ferocious god with four hands. In two hands, he holds weapons, generally a mace and a javelin, while the other two are held in Abhaya mudra (gesture of ressurance & safety) and Varada mudra(giving gesture). He uses the Ram(Bheda) as his vehicle. Mars is associated with the color red.

4. Surya rides on a Rath carried by? (A) 9 horses (B) 7 horses (C) 3 horses (D) 1 horse– Option B

Surya (Sun) is also called as Ravi. In the company of the other planets, he generally stands in the centre facing east, while the other planets stand around him in eight different directions, but none facing each other. He rides a chariot that has one wheel and pulled by seven white horses. The sever horses symbolically represent the seven colors of the white light and the seven days of the week.

5. Which of the navagraha deities presides over Monday? (A) Surya or Sun (B) Chandra or Moon (C) Mangal or Mars  (D) Brishaspati or Jupiter - Option (B)

 Chandra (Moon) is also known as Soma. Probably because of his waxing and waning qualities, he is never depicted in full in all the images. We see him with only his upper body from chest upwards, with two hands holding one lotus each, riding upon a charriot drawn by 10 horses. He as Soma, presides over Somavaaram or Monday. He is one of the gods of fertility.  He is associated with the color white.

6. Which among the following is the most beneficial Navgraha? (A) Ketu (B) Rahu (C) Guru (D) Shani– Option C

Brihaspati, also known as Guru or Vyazham, is the name for the Navagraha planet Jupiter according to Hindu Astrology. Brihaspati is the Guru of Devas and is praised in many hymns of the Rig veda.  Brihaspati is considered to be the greatest beneficial among the nine Navagrahas. Concerned with education, teaching and the dispensation of knowledge, he is regarded as the god of wisdom and fluency. The mount of Lord Guru is Elephant . Some pictures show Brihaspati in a chariot drawn by eight horses. The eight horses probably represent the eight branches of knowledge. Guru is depicted in yellow or golden color, holding a stick, a lotus and beads. Thursdays are considered good for the worship of Brihaspati.

7. Which Navagraha deity presides over Wenesday? A) Surya or Sun (B) Budha or Mercury(C) Brishaspati or Jupiter (D) Chandra or Moon - Option B

 8. Vishnu cut off the head of which Navgraha to stop him from drinking Amrita? (A) Ketu (B) Rahu (C) Budha (D) Shani – Option B

According to Hindu scriptures, Rahu is the head of the demonic snake that swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. He is depicted in art as a dragon with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses. The Rahu kalam is considered inauspicious. According to legend, during the samudra manthan, the asura  Rahu drank some of the divine nectar. But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu) cut off his head. The head, however, remained immortal and is called Rahu, while the rest of the body became Ketu. It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse. Rahu is associated with Saturday and the color dark blue.

9. Which Navgraha has the tail of snake (or Dragon)? (A) Ketu (B) Rahu (C) Budha (D) Shani – Option A

In Sanskrit, Kethu (Dhuma Ketu) means comet. The scriptures describe him as having the tail of a serpant as his body, a descrption which very much matches with his connection to the image of a comet. However, in the images he is usually shown with a poke marked body, riding upon a vulture and holding a mace. The gemstone of Ketu is Cat’s Eye.

10. Which Navgraha is also the Guru of Demons?? (A) Ketu (B) Rahu (C) Guru (D) Shukra – Option D

Lord Shukra or Planet Venus is the teacher of the demons and the author of Sukraniti.  He is the perceptor of the Daitya (a clan of asuras as are the danavas). In Astrology, there is a dasha or planetary period known as Shukra Dasha which remains active in a person's horoscope for 20 years. This dasha is believed to give more wealth, fortune and luxury to one's living if a person has Shukra positioned well in his horoscope as well as Shukra being an important benefic planet in his/her horoscope.

11. Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup and Pankti – These are the names of? (A) Horses of Surya(B) Horses of Chandra – Option A (These names of various Vedic meters designate the seven horses that carry the sun-god’s chariot)

12. Match the Navagraha with their consorts
Navagraha Consorts
1. Surya Deva 1. Simhi
2. Chandra 2. Chitralekha
3. Mangala 3. Ila
4. Budha 4. Tara
5. Guru 5. Shaktidevi
6. Shukra 6. Neeladevi(Jestadevi)
7. Shani 7. Sukirthi & Urjaswathi
8. Rahu 8. Sandhya & Chaaya
9. Ketu 9. Rohini

Navagraha Consorts
1. Surya Deva 1. Sandhya & Chaaya
2. Chandra 2. Rohini
3. Mangala 3. Shaktidevi
4. Budha 4. Ila
5. Guru 5. Tara
6. Shukra 6. Sukirthi & Urjaswathi
7. Shani 7. Neeladevi(Jestadevi)
8. Rahu 8. Simhi
9. Ketu 9. Chitralekha

Quiz on Tiruvadarai (Arudhra Darsanam)

1. When is Tiruvadarai celebrated?

Answer: The festival Thiruvadarai is celebrated on the day that the Arudra star occurs in the month of Margazhi (December-January). Hence it is also known as Arudhra Darshanam.It takes place on the full moon night in the month of Margazhi and this is also the longest night in a year.

2. What is the significance of Tiruvadarai?

Answer: Thiruvadarai(Arudhra) in Tamil means "sacred big wave", using which this universe was created by Lord Shiva about 132 trillion years ago. It is the day on which Lord Shiva as Nataraja is believed to have performed his cosmic dance. Arudra Darshan celebrates this ecstatic dance of Lord Shiva. Arudra signifies a golden red flame. Lord Shiva in the form of light performs this cosmic dance. The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva represents five activities – Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment and Release. In essence, it represents the continuous cycle of creation and destruction. Tiruvadarai is essentially a Shaivite festival

3. In which temple does the grandest and most important Tiruvadarai celebration take place?

Answer: The grandest of all all Tiruvadarai festivities happens at the Natarajar temple at Chidambaram, where the Margazhi Bhramotsavam, or annual festival is celebrated for a period of 10 days. Hundreds of thousands congregate from far and wide to witness the climax of this festival on the day of Arudra Darisanam.The first day of festivities is marked by the hoisting of the temple flag, and a procession of the images of the Pancha Murthys (Somaskandar, Ambal, Vinayakar, Subramanyar and Chandikeswarar). The fifth day of the festival is considered to be of great significance and is referred to as the 'Teruvadaichaan tiruvizha'. The seventh day, is marked by a procession on the Golden Kailasam and the silver elephant mounts. The eighth day witnesses a procession of Bhikshatanar commemorating legends associated Shiva's and Vishnu's trip through Dhaarukaavanam in the guise of Bhikshaatanar and Mohini. It is only on the ninth day, that the image of Natarajar from the central shrine is taken out in procession in a grand chariot through the streets surrounding the temple. Tens of thousands of devotees drag the massive chariots through the Maada veedhis (processional streets), following which, the images of Natarajar and Sivakami are brought to the 1000 pillared hall of the vast temple. In the pre-dawn hours of the next day, under the full moon, an abhishekam is offered to the images of Natarajar and Sivakami in the 1000 pillared hall (the Raja Sabha), followed by a Royal Audience in the same venue, where thousands of devotees line up for a fleeting glimpse of Natarajar. The cosmic dance of Shiva is enacted later that afternoon, featuring the revered images of Nataraja and Sivakami decked in regal finery; the images are then taken back to the innermost sanctum.

Most of the temples around the world with Lord Nataraja as deity perform the Arudhra Darshan.

4. Traditionally, what prasadams are offered on this day to Lord Shiva in temples and households?

Answer: The sweet dish Kali is made today as prasadam. Additionally, a mixed vegetable sambhar/Koottu known as Thalagam is also prepared as a side-dish. For the Thalagam, a number of veggies are selected in odd numbers starting from 7, 9,13,15 etc traditionally. The veggies usually required are red pumpkin, ashgourd, sweet potato yam/chakkaravalli,
green plaintains(Vazhakkai). Don't use onion,drumsticks,radish or capsicum for an authentic taste.

5. There is a story about how Kali came to be the neivedyam. Do you know what it is?

Answer: Sendanaar, a devout follower of the Lord, usually ate the leftover of what he offered to the lord and only after distributing to the other devotees.On Thiruvadirai day,he could only offer the simple kali preparation .When he felt bad that, that is all he could offer,Lord Nataraja showered him with kali to show him how pleased he was with Sendanaar's devotion.Ever since that miracle occurred, Kali is made as the main offering to Lord Nataraja on this day. Making,offering to Lord and eating this kali prasadam is likened to attaining bliss showered from Lord Nataraja.

6. What is the significance of Tiruvadarai in the town of Sirgazhi?

Answer: In Sirgazhi, this day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Saint Thirugnanasambandar, commemorating the day when the saint as a baby was breastfed by Parvati.

7. What is the significance of Tiruvadarai in Thirupperundurai?

Answer: In Thirupperundurai, the day is observed as the birth anniversary of Saint Manickavasagar - the author of celebrated works such as Tiruvaachakam, Tiruvempaavai and Tiruppalliezhuchi. He was closely associated with the Chidambaram Natarajar temple, and is believed to have merged with Natarajar, in the central shrine there.

8. What is the significance of this festival in Kerala?

Answer: In Kerala, the festival is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Shiva. Thiruvathira is the nakshatra or "star" as per the Malayalam calendar of Lord Shiva. Another belief is that the festival commemorates the death of Kamadeva, the Hindu god of erotic desire. It is believed that on this day, the Goddess Parvathi finally met Lord Shiva after her long penance and Lord Shiva took her as a saha-dharma chaarini (equal partner). Both Parvathi and Shiva present this ideal to devotees in the form of Ardha-Nareeshawara (half male, half female form).In Kerala, Thiruvathira is an important traditional festival along with the other popular festivals, Onam and Vishu.

Quiz - Makar Sankaranthi

1. What is Makar Sankaranthi known as in known as in the following states?

West Bengal - Sankranti, also known as Poush Sankranti
Kashmir - Shishur Saenkraat
Gujarat - Uttarayan
Rajasthan - Sankrat
Karnataka - Makara Sankramana
Himachal Pradesh - Magha Saaji
Assam - Magh Bihu also called Bhogali Bihu or Maghar Domahi
Bihar & Jharkhand - Makar Sankranti or Sakraat or KHICHDI (in local dialects)
Punjab - Maghi; Previous day is celebrated as Lohri

2. How is Makar Sankaranthi celebrated in Andra Pradesh & Telangana?

Answer: It is a four day festival.
Day 1 – Bhogi
Day 2 – Makara Sankranti- the main festival day
Day 3 – Kanuma
Day 4 – Mukkanuma
3. How is Makar Sankranti celebrated in Tamil Nadu?

Answer: Day 1: Bhogi Pandigai
Day 2: Thai Pongal
Day 3: Maattu Pongal
Day 4: Kaanum Pongal

4. On Makar Sankranti day, Haldi-kumkum is celebrated in which state?

Answer: Maharashtra

5. How is Makar Sankranti celebrated in Kerala?

Answer: In Kerala, the most important event on Makar Sankranti is Makaravilakku. The world famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple celebrates Sankranti during evening by lighting Makaravilakku.

6. What is the astrological significance of Makar Sankranti?

Answer: Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti is transition. There is a sankranti every month when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to the next. There are twelve signs of the zodiac, and thus there are twelve sankranti's as well. Each of these sankranti's has its own relative importance but two of these are more important - the Mesh (Aries) Sankranti and the most important, the Makar (Capricorn) Sankranti. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn, during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as Makar Sankranti. From this day begins the six-month long Uttarayana, considered very auspicious for attaining higher worlds hereafter. While the traditional Indian Calendar is basically based on lunar positions, but sankranti is a solar event, so while dates of all festivals keep changing, the english calendar date of Makar Sankranti is always same, 14th January. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu Calendar month of Magha. There is another significance of this day, after this day the days start becoming longer & warmer, and thus the chill of winter in on decline.

6. What is the religious significance of Makar sankranti?

Answer: We can mention five points here.
1. The Puranas say that on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is the swami of Makar Rashi. These father & son do not ordinarily get along nicely, but inspite of any difference between each other Lord Sun makes it a point to meet each other on this day. Father in fact himself comes to his son’s house, for a month. This day symbolized the importance of special relationship of father & son. It is the son who has the responsibility to carry forward his fathers dream and the continuity of the family.
2. From Uttarayana starts the ‘day’ of Devatas, while dakshinayana is said to be the ‘night’ of devatas, so most of the auspicious things are done during this time. Uttarayana is also called as Devayana, and the next half is called Pitrayana.
3. It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terrorism of the Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandar Parvat. So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living.
4. The great savior of his ancestors, Maharaj Bhagirath, did great Tapasya to bring Gangaji down on the earth for the redemption of 60,000 sons of Maharaj Sagar, who were burnt to ashes at the Kapil Muni Ashram, near the present day Ganga Sagar. It was on this day that Bhagirath finally did tarpan with the Ganges water for his unfortunate ancestors and thereby liberated them from the curse. After visiting the Patala for the redemption of the curse of Bhagirath’s ancestors Gangaji finally merged in the Sagar. Even today a very big Ganga Sagar Mela is organized every year on this day at the confluence of River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Lakhs take dip in the water and do tarpan for their ancestors. We salute such a great devotee & benefactor of his ancestors. One who can express such gratitude to his ancestors, work with tireless resolve to redeem the pride, pledges & resolves of his forefathers, alone possess a personality, which the history reveals to be a true benefactor of the world too. A person who has severed his own roots gets soon rooted out in the flow of time. Moral of the story is to see to it that the roots of the tree of ‘our’ life are not only intact but nourished well, thereafter alone the tree blooms & flourishes. There is another spiritually symbolic aspect of this story. The 60,000 cursed son of Maharaj Sagar represent our thoughts, who become dull & dead-like because of uncultured & blind ambition. Redemption of such people is only by the waters of Gangaji, brought down ‘to’ & later ‘from’ the Himalayas with great tapasya. This represents dedicated hard work to get the redeeming Brahma-Vidya, which alone enlightens, enthuses & enlivens the life of anyone.
5. Another well-known reference of this day came when the great grandsire of Mahabharata fame, Bhishma, declared his intent to leave his mortal coil on this day. He had the boon of Ichha-Mrityu from his father, so he kept lying on the bed of arrows till this day and then left his mortal coil on Makar Sankranti day. It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana, becomes free from transmigration. So this day was seen as a sure-shot Good Luck day to start your journey or endeavors to the higher realms beyond.

Quiz on Bhima Ashtami

1. When is Bhishma Ashtami celebrated?

Answer: The eighth day (ashtami)of the waxing moon (shukl paksh) of Magh month (January - February)  is celebrated as Bhishma Ashtami.It falls after Ratha Sapthami.

2. What does the ocassion of Bhishma Ashtami signify?

Answer: Bhishma Ashtami is the death anniversary of Bhishma Pitamah, one of the most prominent and revered characters of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata.

Bhishma was known for his loyalty and devotion to his father King Shantanu.Due to his loyalty and devotion to his father, Pitamah Bhishma was blessed with a boon to choose the time of his death.When he got injured in the battle of Mahabharata, he didn’t leave his body immediately due to his boon. Instead, he lay on a death-bed of arrows for 58 days and waited for the auspicious moment to give up his body. According to Hindu belief,  God Suryadev moves in the South direction during half of year (Dakshinayana) which is considered as an inauspicious period and all auspicious activities are postponed till Suryadev starts moving back in North direction. Pitamah Bhishma chose Magha Shukla Ashtami to give up his body and by this time Suryadev started moving back in North direction or Uttarayana (उत्तरायण).

3. What is the background story that defines the principles that Bhishma abided by throughout his life?

Answer: In Hindu mythology, Bhishma was the son of King Shantanu and his wife Ganga. Bhishma's birth name was Devavarta. He learnt Astra/shastra vidhya from sage Shukracharya.  He became an eminent warrior under the guidance of his gurus. When his father decided he wanted to marry a beautiful young maiden named Satyavati, her parents would not permit it because it was Bhishma who was heir to the throne, and if she had sons they could not inherit the kingdom. To allow the marriage to go forward, Bhishma vowed never to marry and have children of his own, nor to accept the crown. Hearing about this son's immense sacrifice, King Shantanu granted him the boon of Ichha mrityu, which gave him the ability to choose the time of his own death. Shantanu then married Satyavati, and she bore him two sons. The two sons died without producing any offspring, but Satyavati had two grandchildren by a son who had been born before she married the king. Bhishma ended up raising these two and taking charge of the training of their children, who were known as the Kauravas and the Pandavas. In the battle that was eventually fought between the two groups of offspring, Bhishma sided with the Kauravas and was so badly wounded it was said that there was barely a space of two fingers' width on his body that had not been pierced by an arrow. Since he had been allowed to choose the time of his death, he waited on his death-bed of arrows for 58 days, during which he delivered many religious discourses. He later became the model for modern ascetics who lie on nail-studded beds, and to this day is considered a great example of self-denial, loyalty, and devotion.To take up a herculean task is described as a Bheeshma Pratigya

4. How is Bhishmashtami celebrated?

Answer: Bhishma Ashtami is celebrated with utmost fervor in Vishnu temples and ISKCON Temples. The five days beginning from Bhishma Ashtami to Bhishma Dwadasi are known as Bhishma Panchaka vrata.

This day People do Ekodishta (एकोदिष्ट) Shradhha for him. His Shradhha has been prescribed for those who have lost their father. However many believe that his Shradhha rituals can be performed by all irrespective of their father being alive or dead.

Quiz on Ratha Saptami

1.  What is the significance of Ratha saptami?

Ratha Saptami is a Hindu festival dedicated to the sun god, Surya. Ratha Saptami is symbolic of the change of season to spring and the start of the harvesting season. It marks the seventh day following the Sun’s northerly movement (Uttarayana) of vernal equinox starting from Capricorn (Makara). For most Indian farmers, it is an auspicious beginning of the New Year.It is said that the earth's inclination towards the sun is steepest on the Ratha Saptami day.

2. When is Ratha saptami observed/celebrated?

Ratha Saptami is observed on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha, or waxing phase of moon, in the Magha Month (January – February) in a traditional Hindu lunar calendar. The day is of great significance in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In Orissa, the day is observed as Magha Saptami. It also marks the birth of Surya and hence celebrated as Surya Jayanti (the Sun-god’s birthday). This day is also known as achala saptami.

3. What is the religious significance of Ratha Saptami?

The Ratha Saptami festival seeks the benevolent cosmic spread of energy and light from the Sun God. As per the tradition in Hinduism, Lord Surya is believed to ride a ratha (chariot) driven by seven horses – this form is worshipped during Rathasaptami puja and festival. The symbolic significance of the ratha and the seven horses reigned to it is that it represents the seven colours of the rainbow. The seven horses are also said to represent the seven days of a week starting with Sunday, the day of Sun god Surya. The chariot has 12 wheels, which represents the 12 signs (each of 30 degrees) of the Zodiac (360 degrees) and constituting a full year, named Samvatsara. The Sun’s own house is Leo (Simha) and he moves from one house to the next every month and the total cycle takes 365 days to complete.

4. How is Ratha Saptami celebrated in Thirumala?

The festival is of great importance at the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple.On Ratha sapthami a one-day Brahmotsavam is held in Tirumala.On this day, the presiding deity of Lord Malayappa Swamy along with his divine consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken to a procession in Thiru Mada streets in Tirumala. The deities carried out in a jubilant procession around the Thiru mada streets encircling the holy Shrine of Balaji on seven different vahanams(sapthami=seven) .Due to this reason the day of RathaSapthami is called as "Mini-Brahmotsavam" in Tirumala.

5. What are the legends associated with Ratha saptami?

Kamboj empire’s King Yashovarma, a noble king had no heir to rule his kingdom. On his special prayers to God, he was blessed with a son. The king’s vows did not end with this, as his son was terminally ill. A saint who visited the king advised that his son should perform the Ratha Saptami pooja (worship) with reverence to rid of his past sins. Once the King’s son performed this, his health was restored and he ruled his kingdom well.

It is also said that sage Bhisma breathed his last breath fourth day after the Rathasaptahmi day on ekaadashi.

Dashavataras of Maha Vishnu (WIP)

In Hindu mythology there are four eras [yuga] – Satya yuga, Treta yuga, Dwapara yuga and Kali yuga. Each Yuga is supposed to be a day for Lord Brahma. One day of Lord Brahma is 4320 million human years. After the end of every yuga Lord Brahma goes to sleep. The power of Lord Brahma’s creation comes from the Vedas. When Lord Brahma sleeps there is no creation and the universe comes to an end.

Lord Vishnu is the God of Preservation. Whenever the earth was in danger and when evil threatens to overpower good, Lord Vishnu descends from the heaven to incarnate on the earth. There are ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. [Dasavatar – Das meaning ‘ten’ and avatar is ‘incarnation’, the last avatar – Kalki avatar is yet to come]

Sources:http://www.srivaishnavam.info/dhasavatharam/avathars-of-vishnu/, http://hindumythologyforgennext.blogspot.nl/

 MATSYAVATAR - 1st avatar

God’s first incarnation was as a Matsya meaning Fish, wherein he saved Satyavrata Manu and the Sapta rishis with their families from the great flood, by coming in the form of a giant fish. The story goes as follows:

In the Satya Yuga there was a king by name Manu. He was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. His greatest desire was to see Lord Vishnu with his own eyes. For this he performed severe penances for thousands of years. The Satya Yuga was about to end and a great flood was to come and destroy all the life on earth to start afresh for the next Yuga. Lord Brahma after a day full of creation, was tired. He wanted to go to sleep and was soon snoring loudly.

While Lord Brahma was sleeping an asura Hayagriva emerged from Brahma’s nose. With Brahma asleep, Hayagriva realized that it was the right time to take in all the knowledge of the Vedas. Hayagriva concentrated and soon absorbed the knowledge in the Vedas. He then hid deep inside the ocean, thinking that nobody would find him there.
Lord Vishnu saw this and was worried. If the Vedas were stolen by the asura, the knowledge of the Vedas could not be passed on to the Next Yuga. As a Preserver, it was his job to make sure the knowledge survived to the next Yuga.
Wondering what to do, Lord Vishnu looked at Manu performing penance. Lord Vishnu smiled realizing that he could complete quiet a lot than just save the Vedas…
The next morning, Manu went to the river to begin his prayers. He took the water in his hands and held it high above his head and offered it to the Lord Vishnu to mark the beginning of his prayer. He was about to pour the water into the river, when he heard a tiny voice from his hands. ‘O great king! Please do not put me back in the river…’
Surprised Manu stared at his hands. In the palms of his hands was a tiny fish, squirming. The fish looked at Manu, pleading, ‘Please do not put me back in the water. There are so many bigger fishes in the water, they will eat me. Please, O great king…’
Manu looked at the tiny fish with pity. As a king it was his duty to protect anybody who came to him for help. The king readily agreed and put the fish inside his ‘kamandalam’. [Kamandalam is a small jug carried by sages in those days to carry water]
Manu finished his penance and went home for the night. He had left the fish inside the kamandalam, knowing that the fish would be safe inside. He woke up next morning hearing a strong voice, ‘O king…Help me…Your kamandalam is stifling me. I cannot breath in here…’ Surprised Manu looked at his kamandalam, only to find a big fish staring at him from the top of the kamandalam. The fish was pushing the sides of the jug as the jug was too small for it.
Overcoming his surprise, Manu ran inside his house to get a bigger vessel. The fish gulped few breaths and said softly, ‘Thank you, kind king.’
Manu smiled and was about to walk out the home to begin his morning prayers, when he heard an even more powerful voice, ‘King, this vessel in too small for me. Please get me another one.’
Manu blankly stared as the fish stared out of the vessel he had got just minutes back. The fish was again struggling for breath. Manu brought the biggest vessel in his house and threw the fish inside it. The fish thanked him and after checking that the vessel was big enough for the fish, still puzzled, was about to walk out of the house, when he heard a strong voice, ‘I am sorry this vessel is also not sufficient for me, king’
Manu stared in disbelief as he saw the huge fish stare out of the big vessel. However realizing that this was not the time for questions, he carried the fish and ran to the river, where he had found the fish and threw the fish inside.
The fish gulped a few breaths inside water, ‘Thank you…king. You have protected me. But please don’t leave me here. I am afraid the other bigger fishes may eat me…’
Manu began to get suspicious, but he was a king. He could not just stop protecting someone who had come to him for help. He stared at the fish for long and before his very eyes saw the fish getting larger and larger, till it had covered up the entire river.
The same routine followed again. Manu carried the fish from one river to another river, but the fish kept getting bigger.
Finally he dropped the fish inside the ocean, only to find that the fish grown to full one side of the ocean. Looking at gigantic fish, a sudden flash came to Manu. He bowed before the fish, ‘Narayana, you are Narayana..my Lord.’
The fish smiled, ‘You wanted to see me and here I have come.’ Manu stared with tears in his eyes, as a huge horn grew on the head of the fish.
‘My Lord, you have granted me my only desire. I want nothing more. What do you want me to do now?’ Manu said prostrating before the fish.
‘Manu, the Yuga is about to end in seven days. There will be a great flood and all living things on the earth would perish. I want you to build a big ship. Take the seeds of all plants, the male and female of every animal, and the seven sages along with their families. Take them all on the ship’
Manu nodded. The fish continued. ‘Don’t forget to bring Vasuki, the snake God also.’ Manu nodded again as he watched the fish tear through the ocean to the other side.
One half of the fish’s work completed, the fish went to the other side to complete the other reason for the incarnation. On the other end of the ocean, the fish saw Hayagriva guarding the Vedas. Seeing the huge fish, Hayagriva was terrified. What a huge fish…However no sooner than he had thought this, the fish attacked him. The fish was so huge, that a single push sent the asura reeling. Still dazed Hayagriva tried fighting the fish, but the fish was huge and powerful.
After a brief and futile struggle, the asura was dead. Once the asura was dead, the vedas imbibed by him went back to Lord Brahma, who was still asleep.
On the other side of the ocean Manu was building his ship. He had also brought the seven sages with their families.
Soon there were torrential rains which washed away everything. The water level kept increasing and very soon there was a flood. The ship wobbled and many times was about to capsize, but Manu and that others were steadfast in their belief that Lord Vishnu would protect them.
Soon the fish came as promised, ‘Manu, use Vasuki as a rope to tie my horn to the ship’ It bellowed loudly, above the roar of the rain.
Once the fish was tied to the ship, the fish guided the ship in sea and kept the ship safe while the storm raged outside. The fish taught the Vedas to Manu and the others during the voyage. After the storm abated and everything was washed away, the fish deposited the ship at Mount Himavan for the people there to continue the new yuga.

KOORMAVATAR - 2ND avatar

The second avatar is the Koorma avatar, where Lord Vishnu came in the form of a giant tortoise to help in the churning of the ocean by the Devas and the Asuras. The long story goes as follows:

Indra was a very powerful God. He was the king of the Heaven and the ruler of the other Gods. However all this got into his head. He became arrogant and became disrespectful to others.

Indra had a four tusked, beautiful white elephant called Airavatha. Whenever Indra felt like going out of the kingdom, he would occasionally travel on Airavatha.

One such time when Indra was traveling on Airavatha, he met Sage Durvasa coming from the other side.

Sage Durvasa was a powerful sage. As he was immersed in meditation most of the times, he had enormous yogic powers within him However he had one drawback. Sage Durvasa got angry exceptionally fast and also cursed people often.

Sage Durvasa while traveling the world had found a fragrant garland. The flowers of the garland never faded and remained fresh always. He was carrying the garland with him when he met Indra coming on Airavatha.

Sage Durvasa felt that Indra being the King of Gods should be given the garland.
On seeing Sage Durvasa, Indra curtly greeted the Sage without saluting him. IN those days, it was customary to salute the wise and learned sages, giving them due respect.

Sage Durvasa however did not get angry at this. He handed over the garland to Indra. ‘Take the garland Indra. It befits you well.’

Indra carelessly took the garland and placed it on Airavatha’s head. The aroma from the garland was so strong that Airavatha took the garland from his head and flung it down.

Looking at the careless manner in which Indra had treated the garland, Sage Durvasa got enraged, ‘Have you forgotten how to greet people and how to behave when you receive a gift. You insolent…’

Indra had the fright of his life. He suddenly remembered the long list of people whom Sage Durvasa had cursed and reduced them to nothing. He swallowed...Lord of the Gods or not, Sage Durvasa was not someone to be taken lightly.

He hastily got down from Airavatha and rushed forward fell on the sage’s feet to prevent the sage from saying anything further. Before the sage could complete his words, Indra cried, ‘Forgive me Sage. I behaved badly. I should have respected you and…’

Sage Durvasa if anything got more angry and snorted, ‘Hah!’ He blazed, ‘Now that you know I am going to curse you, you say you are sorry…Am I supposed to believe that you have realized your folly?...'

Sage Durvasa wagged his fingers angrily, with his blood red eyes. His forehead twitched and he raised his hands ominously, 'You have to be taught a lesson. You have grown arrogant and disrespectful. I curse you that you and your Devas will all lose your power and your vigour. You will have no energy and be tired always…’

Indra shook his head, panic stricken and yelled, 'NO!...Please no....Have mercy on me...Please my Lord...Have mercy...'

However the sage's word were powerful. Indra could feel his power being drained. He imagined that the other Devas were also facing the same thing.

Indra knew that he had made a huge error and all his friends were paying for his mistake. He had to set things right. Indra still hugged the sage's feet and begged forgiveness from the sage, ‘Please Sage Durvasa. Forgive my mistake. Do not give all of us such a harsh punishment…Please’

But all his pleas fell on deaf ears. Sage Durvasa looked at Indra with blood red eyes, ‘I will not forgive your mistake…’ Sage Durvasa with a stiff upper lip pushed Indra away and walked away, without looking back.

Indra tried talking to the sage again, but he felt his energy ebb away. Try as he might, he could not match the speed of the great Rishi. Though Indra tried following the Sage, he fell unconscious. After some time, Indra woke up to find the sage gone. He was all alone. Indra returned home a dejected man

He called in the council of the other Gods only to find all the other Devas also tired and listless.

Haltingly, Indra explained to the Devas, his encounter with Sage Durvasa. The other Devas were also feeling the effects of the curse. When they came to hear Indra's explanations, the other Devas were panic stricken, wondering what to do.
All the Gods were sitting in the chamber in a subdued and a defeated manner, when a guard suddenly burst inside the room, ‘Devendra, Devendra… you are needed!’ He ran inside breathless and was surprised to find all the Gods sitting listless.

The Gods were too tired to ask what was wrong.

The guard asked Agni what had happened. Agni explained haltingly about what happened. The guard's eyes looked wildly as he looked panic stricken. 'We are doomed...' He whispered softly.

Indra looked sharply at the guard, 'Explain yourself my man. What happened?'

The Guard still looked terrified when he whispered, 'It is the Asuras, sir... they are attacking us....'

The Guard looked at the floor, wondering whether any one would even survive the attack, forget defending themselves.

Indra and his council of Gods looked like they had been petrified. This was bad, very bad. The Devas and the Asuras were forever at war and more often than not, the Devas won because of their superior technology. However now with the Devas feeling so tired, they doubted whether they could even survive the fight let alone win it.

Indra knew it was suicide to even try to defend themselves. However he was left with no choice. In those days, when anyone was challenged to a fight, they had to fight back. It was a matter of honour.

Needless to say, the Devas were routed and most of them fled Devaloka. The Asuras laughed at the Devas calling them cowards and the chief of the Asuras – Bali crowned himself as the King of Devaloka.

The Devas thrown out of their home went to the Creator – Brahma's place – Satyaloka. Tired and unhappy with their defeat at the hands of the Asuras, the Devas were glad to finally reach Brahma's place. They saluted Brahma and told him everything and asked for a way out.

Brahma was flabbergasted. How could Indra behave so arrogantly towards a noble sage? Brahma yelled at Indra, 'How could you, Indra? I had asked you to be patient and wise like a leader. You do not behave like someone you is the King of Devas...' He said his eyes blazing looking at Indra.

Indra was downcast, unhappily, wishing that he had never met Sage Durvasa. He could see now that he had behaved very arrogantly and all the Devas were paying the price for his carelessness.

He fell on the feet of Brahma, 'Father... father, forgive me...I have behaved badly.' He pointed at the other Devas, 'They are also suffering because of my actions. Please father I will do anything to set this right...I will beg Sage Durvasa to take back his curse...' He said a tears coming to his eyes.

Brahma put his hands on Indra's head, realizing that Indra had learnt his lesson. 'Sage Durvasa is not an easy man to talk to. If you attempt to go and talk to him about the curse, he would get angry further...' Indra gulped. He could do without one more curse... Brahma shook his head and sighed, No that would not be the way... there would have to be another way.

Brahma realized that there was no use getting angry at Indra any further and decided to let it go at that. And besides he had other things to worry about.
Brahma was worried about the defeat of the Devas at the hands of the Asuras. The Devas were supposed to look after the natural elements of the world. Who knows what could happen when the Asuras were in charge? He needed to help the Devas and fast, otherwise the future of the entire universe was at stake.

But Brahma was a creator God. He did not know how he could set right his problem. But he knew who could set this right. He looked at the Devas. 'We need to go to Vaikunta, my sons. I am sure Lord Vishnu will solve this problem.'

Saying Brahma got ready to leave for Vaikunta – Lord Vishnu's place. At the mention of Vishnu's name, Indra's eyes sparkled. He knew well about the Dark God. He always had a solution to any problem and would help them no matter what.

Much more happier now all the Devas went to Vaikunta and met Vishnu.

Vishnu saw the tired Gods accompanied by Lord Brahma and narrowed his eyes, 'Well Indra, What have you done now?'

Indra sighed and fell on his knees, 'Lord, stop teasing me. You know everything that happens anywhere...Please do not shame me any more...' He said dejectedly looking downcast.

Vishnu turned his eyes on Brahma. 'Well, should I forgive him?' He asked pointing at Indra.

Brahma looked at Indra and nodded his head. 'My Lord I think he has learnt his lesson.'

'Ok' Vishnu said letting out a sigh. He had known the entire episode with Sage Durvasa.

Vishnu went to Indra and said with twinkling eyes. 'I cannot help you. Only the Asuras can help you now...'

Indra jerked his head up. The other Gods looked at each other and at Vishnu wondering whether they had heard right. Even Brahma looked a little confused.
'My Lord...' Agni began hesitantly sure that he had heard right.

Vishnu smiled his twinkling eyes again, 'Do you know the secrets that are hidden within our great Ocean...'

All the Gods shook their heads. In those times there was a single ocean running through the entire world. It was a very deep ocean, which had never been explored.

When none of the Gods answered, Vishnu answered the question himself, 'Well a lot of things...' Vishnu smiled blissfully, '...including something to help you...Amrita'

Vayu's eyes widened, 'My Lord, did you say Amrita...?' All the Gods exchanged awe-struck glances. Amrita was the ultimate drink. Anyone who drank Amrita would never die, or age and would become extraordinarily powerful...

Agni looked at Varuna, slowly a hope creeping into his tired eyes. However Indra frowned, 'However my Lord, how can we get the Amrita out of the ocean...And my Lord, why do we need the help of the Asuras...? Why....?'

Vishnu held up his hands, Indra was indeed a good leader, who thought through everything...'Patience my good Indra. The Amrita has to be churned out of the ocean. For that you need a churner. Mount Mandara will be your churner.'

Vayu's eyes grew round – Lifting Mount Mandara on the best of days was impossible. Lifting it in their present condition was going to be impossible.

Indra however understood. They needed the help of the Asuras to break the mountain and take it to the Ocean. However he had another question.

'My Lord,' Indra bowed, 'The rope for churning the ocean?'

Vishnu smiled, 'Ask Vasuki the snake God to be the rope. Promise his share in the nectar, I think he will agree.'

Indra bowed. There was one question which was burning him. He however had no doubt that the Dark God had thought about it.

Agni however asked the question for him, 'My lord, if the Asuras help us, we would have to share the nectar with them, how can we stop them?

Vishnu smiled and gave a mischievous smile. 'I will take care of that.' The finality with which he said it brooked no further arguments. The Gods had no doubt that Lord Vishnu would give them the Amrita.

Lord Vishnu looked at the tired faces of all the Gods and said, 'Henceforth you will not feel as tired as you are now. Though I cannot turn back the curse of the great sage Durvasa, I can make it go slow. You will lose your energy slowly. Make sure, you finish the job before you lose all your energy.'

The Gods bowed their heads and thanked Vishnu, their joy knowing no bounds. Already their visit to Lord Vishnu had revived them. Indra and the other Gods began to feel stronger...

'Take care of the other things.' Vishnu said. As the Gods were about to leave, Vishnu called them, ' Make sure you hold Vasuki's tail and not his head, while churning the ocean.' None of the Gods could make sense of the cryptic comment, but they knew that they had been dismissed. They left Vaikunta happier, knowing what had to be done..

Indra with Vayu and Agni first went to see the Asura King Bali.
On seeing Indra unarmed, the Asura king's ministers wanted to kill Indra. However Bali decided too hear them out.

Indra laid out the entire plans. 'We want to get the Amrita out of the ocean.' He began without any preamble. Indra watched Bali's eyes grow round. His minster blankly stared at Indra, as if he had gone mad. 'Amrita, you mean the Amrita. The one that...'

Bali looked at Indra and realized that he was speaking the truth. He silenced his minsters. 'How do you propose to do that?' He asked softly, wondering whether the Devas were trustworthy.

Indra told him about about Mount Mandara and Vasuki. 'This cannot be done by you or by us alone...'

One of Bali's minster interrupted harshly, 'We do not need your help, you coward...we can do this...'

'SILENCE!' Bali roared and the minster abruptly stopped talking. Bali angrily eyed the minister and then turned to Indra, 'We need each other. We do this together.' He nodded his head curtly and dismissed Indra. Indra left with Vayu and Agni happy that the first part of the plan went well.

Indra then alone went to the Vasuki – the king of snakes.

Indra saluted Vasuki and told him about the Devas and the Asuras planned to churn the ocean and that they needed a rope.

Vasuki realized immediately his role and said hissing, 'Well it is a tough job, but I agree. I assume, I will get part of the nectar when the churning is done?'

Indra nodded his head. Vasuki nodded his head satisfied. Being the king of snakes and a God, he could get away from all the stretching and pulling without getting hurt too much.

Soon the big day arrived, the Devas and the Asuras went to the Mount Mandara. They prayed to Mount Mandara and set about breaking the mountain, to carry it to the ocean. Mount Mandara was a heavy mountain and with every single Deva and Asura breaking the mountain, it was still a tough job.

Finally, the mountain was free, the Devas and the Asuras all of them together lifted the mountain. They carried the mountain for a few feet, when the Devas and the Asuras staggered. Mount Mandara was beyond even their combined capabilities. The mountain fell down and crushed many Devas and Asuras carrying the mountain.

Indra tired from his exertion and the death of so many of the other Gods, sat under a tree, cursing himself for the fate of the other Gods. Oh Lord, what are we to do now. We cannot even get the mountain to the ocean let alone churn it...Please help us...He thought drying his eyes

That was when he suddenly smelled a whiff of fresh air, so powerful and strong, Indra felt so strong that he could lift Mount Mandara all by himself. He had had this feeling once before. He turned and saw Lord Vishnu near him. Lord Vishnu smiled and pointed Indra to look at Mount Mandara once more.

Indra got up to his feet forgetting all his tiredness and saw Lord Vishnu single handed lift the mountain and place it on Garuda – Vishnu's vehicle. Garuda, the king of the birds, lifted the mountain as if it was no weight at all. Vishnu spelled out a mantra and sprinkled some water on the Devas and the Asuras lying under Mounta Mandara. The Devas and the Asuras woke up, as they had been asleep.

Indra overjoyed threw himself at his friend's arms, seeing them alive. 'Vayu!' he cried, almost sobbing, 'you are alive!'

Vayu looked strangely at Indra, 'What happened? I remember lifting Mount Mandara, and then nothing...'

Bali was meanwhile looking after his colleagues and making sure they were ok. He looked at Vishnu and thanked Vishnu.

Indra explained to Vayu and the other Gods about how they were crushed under the Mountain. All the Devas and the Asuras fell at Lord Vishnu's feet and thanked him. Vishnu smiled and he carried Mount Mandara on Garuda's back and placed it near the ocean and turned to Garuda, 'Friend, it is best you do not come to this place again. Vasuki the king of serpents would never come as long as you are here.' Garuda nodded. Birds and snakes were natural enemies... Garuda flew off. Lord Vishnu also vanished.

Both the Devas and the Asuras feeling happy now, went near the ocean to place Mount Mandara inside the ocean.

That was when they had another problem.

When the Devas and the Asuras placed the mountain inside the ocean, there was nothing to hold up the mountain, and it kept slipping down, inside the huge ocean.

The Devas and the Asuras were dejected once again. They could not find anything huge enough to give support to the mountain inside the ocean to prevent it from slipping deep inside.

Indra bitterly complained to Agni, 'How can we churn the ocean, Agni. The mountain keeps sinking inside the ocean. I do not think we can find anything big enough to support Mount Mandara...To come so close and no be able to to anything...' Indra said frustrated.

Agni gently touched Indra's shoulder. 'Lord Vishnu will help us,' he said. Indra nodded and prayed to the Lord once more. Oh Lord please help us. This can be solved only by you...

Lord Vishnu came in the form a giant tortoise [his second avatar – Kurma Avatar] and plunged into the ocean. He went under the ocean and picked the submerged Mount Mandara and put it on his back. The Mountain now stood firmly on the tortoise's back, inside the ocean.

Now the Devas and the Asuras dropped medicinal herbs into the ocean, so that their churning would lead to good results.

The Devas asked Vasuki to come and coil himself around the mountain and started the actual churning.

After Vasuki coiled himself, Lord Vishnu's warning flashed through Indra's head Make sure you hold Vasuki's tail and not his head. Indra now knew what he had to do.

He rushed forward and grabbed Vasuki's head, almost strangling Vasuki in the process. 'We are going to hold on the head, you can hold on to the other side.' He said to the Asura King contemptuously. Bali wondered what could have prompted Indra to act such, when his minster rushed forward. 'You weakling! You dare make such demands! Who are you to say anything? Don't forget you are weak and you are outnumbered. We...'

Bali tried to think wondering whether this was a trap, however his minister has grabbed Vasuki's head and pushed Indra back. Indra fell back and pretended to be dejected as he went over to the over side.

The other Gods winked at Indra knowing that his plan had worked well. The Asuras were feeling very happy that Indra had not got the upper hand. They laughed at Indra for being such a coward for not fighting...

However their happiness was short lived. After the churning started the Devas realized why Lord Vishnu had insisted on the Devas holding the tail.

Vasuki was the king of snakes and when he was pulled, he involuntarily spat out the venom in his mouth. The Asuras being near the mouth were badly burnt by the poison.

Bali seethed seeing the blisters and marks on the Asuras hands. But there was nothing he could do. They had accepted to take the mouth and they were stuck with the choice.

After hours of churning, the first thing to emerge from the ocean was the poison Halahal. The Devas and the Asuras alike were stung by the poison. The Halahal mushroomed into a huge cloud threatening to engulf the whole world. If the poison was not removed, the whole world would be suffocated.

Indra fell on his knees followed by the other Devas, 'Oh Shiva, please save us from this destruction. You are the only one who can save us.' Indra muttered a small prayer, his eyes and throat stinging.

Shiva heard the prayers and came to their rescue immediately. He realized that if something was not done the Halahal would destroy the entire universe. He grabbed the entire poison in his palm and swallowed it in a gulp. He realized that he had put himself in danger, but that was the only way to save the universe.
Parvati who was beside Shiva stared horror struck at what Shiva had done. 'NO! What have you...?'

Realizing that she had only a few minutes to act, she immediately grasped Shiva's throat and arrested the poison in his throat, so that the poison would neither come out nor affect Shiva in any way.

She breathed deeply, when she realized that Shiva was alright. However the poison's effect was so bad that Shiva's throat where the poison was stored, turned blue. Since that day, Shiva has been called as 'Nilkanta' which meant 'blue throat'.

The Devas and the Asuras thanked Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and with their blessings resumed the churning. Subsequently the Kamadhenu cow, Ucchashravas horse, Kalpavriksha tree etc. also came out of the ocean. These were shared by the Devas and the Asuras.

The next to come was the beautiful Goddess Lakshmi. She looked so beautiful that the Devas and the Asuras stopped churning and simply gazed at her. (Note: It is believed that Lord Indira first recited the Mahalakshmi ashtakam in praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi).

Eager to get her attention, the Devas scrambled to get a chair for her to sit. The apsaras [dancing maidens] danced for the Goddess and in the end handed her a garland.

In those days, it was customary for a woman of marriageable age to choose her own husband. This was called as 'swayamwara'.

All the Devas, Asuras and Gods [Even Lord Vishnu had come in his human form] were waiting for the Goddess to choose. Every God wondered who would be the lucky one.

Goddess Lakshmi saw all the assembled Devas, Asuras and Gods. She studied Dark God Vishnu with his beautiful twinkling eyes and mischievous smile.

She smiled once and garlanded Lord Vishnu, choosing him above all the others.

The Gods cheered when they saw Goddess Lakshmi marry Lord Vishnu. She was the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity and he was the Preserving God. They all sensed that she was the Goddess Supreme, who had manifested herself as Lakshmi to become Lord Vishnu's wife – his power and his strength.

Thus with great pomp and show, Goddess Lakshmi married Lord Vishnu during the churning of the ocean.

After Lord Vishnu married Goddess Lakshmi who came out of the churning of the ocean, the Devas and the Asuras continued their churning.

Many precious stones and treasures emerged from the ocean, but the amrita was nowhere in sight.

The Devas and the Asuras were almost ready to give up, when they decided to give it one last try. Finally from the ocean emerged – Dhanvantri, with the pot of Amrita.

When it was out, the Asuras ran after Dhanvantri and grabbed the pot from him.

Indra fought forwards and shouted at Bali – the Asura King. 'You said we would share the Amrita. All of us have worked for...'

'THUMP' Indra fell down dazed as Bali punch him in the jaw. Indra's eyes were swimming, as he fell down hard. 'FOOL! Did you really think, we would share such a precious gift with you – our arch enemies?' He taunted Indra, who was lying down. Abruptly he turned to his men, 'All of you go to the side, we will share all the proceeds of the nectar. The Devas,' he said turning contemptuously looking at Indra, 'cannot stop us now.'

Varuna helped Indra on his feet. Indra closed his eyes, his worst nightmares coming true. This was not to be this way. Lord Vishnu had promised...Oh Lord Vishnu!...Please Lord help us now...If the Asuras take the Amrita, we are doomed...

Indra opened his eyes, when he saw a lovely lady standing before him. He had seen plenty of beautiful women, but he could not compare this woman with any one of them. He had just seen Goddess Lakshmi emerge from the ocean. While Goddess Lakshmi had been elegant and beautiful, this woman on the other hand, was enchantingly beautiful.

He saw the Asuras being captivated by the beautiful woman.

He saw Bali approach the woman. 'Who are you, beautiful?'

The woman opened her mouth and spoke in a melodious voice, which even captivated Indra. 'I am Mohini.'

Bali licked his lips, 'Well Mohini' he said pointing at him and his men, totally ignoring the Devas, 'we have just won a precious gift. We are all going to share it. We would be grateful if you would be the one who gave us all the share.'

Mohini smiled sweetly and arched her eyebrows, 'Me. You want me to divide this among you?'

Bali seemed incapable of talking to the woman and simply nodded.
Mohini nodded, 'Very well!' She took the pot of Amrita in her delicate hands, and turned to look at the Devas, 'By the way, who are they?'

Bali spoke contemptuously, 'Nothing worth your attention, my dear lady.'

Mohini shook her head, 'Well that does not seem right. If you are in it together, atleast have them with you, while you have the fruits of your labour.'

Bali was about to shake his head, when his minister intervened, 'Oh yes! If you say so. We will have them with us and let them watch while we take the nectar.'
Bali was about to get angry at his minister, when he saw Mohini's face. It looked radiant and happy at this decision. He also nodded mutely utterly captivated by her.

Mohini made the Devas and the Asuras sit on two sides. She served the Amrita to the Devas first, smiling sweetly at the Asuras. The Asuras contended with her smile forgot to notice, that they had not been served any Amrita. Even Bali was bewitched by Mohini.

However one of the Asuras - Rahu saw something amiss. He saw that the beautiful woman had almost served all the Amrita to the Devas and served nothing to the Asuras.

He sneaked over to the other side and sat beside Surya and Chandra. Mohini did not notice any difference and served Rahu some Amrita.

The Devas were about to gulp the Amrita, when Surya and Chandra noticed something amiss. There was an extra Deva on their side. One whom they had never met before.

Surya looked closely and he gulped his Amrita and yelled, 'He is no Deva,' pointing at Rahu.

Chandra who was close by also yelled, 'I have never seen him before in my life...'

Rahu had taken the Amrita and as it was in his throat, the bewitching Mohini threw the Sudarshana Chakra at Rahu's throat preventing Rahu from swallowing the nectar.

The Devas quickly swallowed the Amrita as they saw Mohini change form and assume the form that they had always loved - that of Lord Vishnu. Mohini was Lord Vishnu!

As the Devas took the amrita, they felt energy fill them countering all the effects of Sage Durvasa's curse. They felt powerful, in control and strong. They had become immortal.

The Asuras realized too late that they were duped, fell upon the Devas angrily. However now as the Devas had taken the nectar, they Devas routed the Asuras.

The battle was fierce and short, but the Asuras were destroyed completely and escaped to netherworld from fear of the Devas.

However as Rahu had taken the amrita and Rahu's head had become immortal. Even now, it is believed that Rahu attacks the sun and the moon occasionally for ratting him out, which causes the solar and lunar eclipses in our planet.

VARAHA AVATAR - 3rd avatar

The third avatar of Lord Vishnu is the Varaha Avatar [Varaha means 'boar' in Sanskrit]. In this avatar Lord Vishnu incarnated as a Boar to protect the earth [Prithvi maa]. During the Satya Yuga, Sage Kashyap and one of his wife Diti had two sons – Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu. Hiranyaksha troubled the humans and the Devas alike. The humans and the Devas unable to take it any more prayed to Lord Vishnu to protect them. Lord Vishnu being the Preserver incarnated as a Boar to protect the humans and the Devas. This avatar is called as Varaha Avatar.

The Varaha avatar starts with the Doorkeepers of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu lived in Vaikunta. His home was guarded by two gatekeepers – Jaya and Vijaya. They loved Lord Vishnu and felt honoured that they were protecting him. They were many people who came to visit Lord Vishnu and it was Jaya's and Vijaya's job to allow every person who had grievance to see the Lord. They knew that Lord Vishnu's time was precious and could not be wasted. The doorkeepers took their job very seriously.

As they were standing guard, the two of them saw four children come towards Vaikunta.

'Who's that?' Jaya asked looking mystified. He had been Lord Vishnu's doorkeeper for ages and had seen all sorts of things, but children... that was rare...

'I have no idea...' Vijaya said looking as mystified. 'Whoever they are... we cannot let these children see the Lord. As it is the Lord has no time... I mean, we cannot bother him more and send these children also to see him...'

Jaya nodded as the four children came to the doors of Vaikunta. 'Open up!' The youngest among them said. 'We want to see the Lord.'

Jaya sagely shook his head. 'Children... please do not disturb the Lord. He is very busy...Why don't you go and play something else...'

'Ch..children... you think we are CHILDREN...' another child spluttered angrily.

Vijaya realised that probably these were just some sage in the guise of children. But he resolutely shook his head... Lord Vishnu was tired. 'Please listen to me...' He said as soothingly as possible, 'The Lord is very tired. He is resting. Please come some time later...'

This time Vijaya got scared when he saw the expression in the face of the children.

The one who looked the eldest looked at him venomously, 'Do you even know who we are? I am Sanaka. That is Sanandana.' He said pointing at the one in the middle, who was quietly standing, not talking till now. 'And these two are Sanatana and Sanatkumara...We are...'

Jaya suddenly realised who these four children were and they were not children. He felt scared, very scared. 'You are the four Kumaras. You are the sons of Lord Brahma...' He said faintly kneeling before the four children.

Vijaya also knelt before the four children. 'We apologise for our behaviour...'

However the four were far from relenting. Sananda spoke for the first time. 'You closed the door of the Lord to devotees. We pray to him daily and are his devotees. The Lord is always available for us. You said he was sleeping... You are insolent and rude... you...'

Sanatkumar spoke, 'For this we curse you...Jaya and Vijaya. You are so proud of yourselves. You think just because you are gods, you can do anything, did you...'

Jaya and Vijaya looked terrified as they feebly shook their heads, 'Please...' Jaya bleated...'Please do not curse us...'

Meanwhile inside Vaikunta, Lord Vishnu heard some raised voices at the door. Wondering who it was he ran outside and saw his doorkeepers kneeling at the four children sages of Lord Brahma. Looking at the expression on Jaya's and Vijaya's faces, he realised that something very wrong had happened.

Lord Vishnu opened his door and stepped outside, when he heard Sanatkumar complete his curse. '...You will no longer be gods. You will be born on earth as ordinary humans and live like ordinary people...'

Jaya and Vijaya knelt there silently not knowing what to do, when they heard a noise behind them...The Lord himself... Hopefully, the two of them turned to the Lord and bowed to them...'Lord...these...'

Lord Vishnu held up his hands and silenced them, 'I know.. there are no explanations necessary...'

The four sages then bowed to Lord Vishnu. Sananda said angrily, 'Lord, your doorkeepers prevented us from seeing you...your devotees...'

Lord Vishnu turned his beautiful black head and looked at his doorkeepers briefly, 'Sages, they did not do anything wantonly. They just thought I was resting... they wanted to give me time to rest. Please forgive them...'

The sages however looked far from forgiving. They looked at the doorkeepers and Sanatana said again, 'No.. no matter what the reason, they refused to let a devotee see the Lord. I cannot forgive that.. Their curse stands...'

So saying the four sages bowed once more to Lord Vishnu and walked away without looking back.

Lord Vishnu looked at the four sages and then turned to Jaya and Vijaya. Jaya sobbed. 'Lord I don't mind going to earth and living as humans, but...but...'

Vijaya continued as tears fell from his eyes, '..we cannot bear being separated from you...please Lord do something...'

Lord Vishnu was touched...He felt proud of them. They did not even mind the curse. He turned and looked at them, 'I cannot take back the curse, but I can give you an option...'

The two looked hopefully at Lord Vishnu's twinkling eyes...'Either you can take seven births on earth as my devotees...'

Vijaya cut in looking horrified, '...Seven births? You mean, I can't see you for seven births...No...no...please no...'

'...or take three births as my enemies...' Lord Vishnu continued as he looked at them.

Jaya said is a whisper, 'As your enemy?... What sort of an option is this? My Lord, how can I even think of not liking you...'

Lord Vishnu looked at them, not saying anything...

Jaya and Vijaya both looked at each other and then at Lord Vishnu. As one they said, 'We will be born three times and come back my Lord...'

Lord Vishnu laughed, 'Do you know that you actually think more about your enemies than your friends. So you will be thinking more about me when you are my enemies... And I will incarnate on the earth to kill you, all the three times. You will attain moksha, my dear friends...' He finished and embraced the two of them tightly, touched by their devotion.

It was after this that Jaya and Vijaya were first born as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu,to Sage Kashyapa and his second wife Diti.

LORD Vishnu incarnated as Varaha – the Boar to kill Hiranyaksha.

However even before Hiranyaksha's birth, at that time, the earth was not in a good shape. The people on earth were very sinful. They were bad and fought often with one another. They never lived in harmony with each other or with nature. They used such devastating weapons that the earth trembled.

Pritvi maa prayed to Lord Vishnu to come and protect her. 'Oh Lord, please come and save me...if this goes on, I will not able to sustain life any more..please come and save all of us...

The great sages on the earth also realised that if something was not done fast, Prithvi maa would be lost. They also performed a great yagna to please Lord Vishnu.

Meanwhile, Hiranyaksha unmindful of the violence wanted to become more powerful than the rest. For this he performed severe penance praying Lord Brahma. When Lord Brahma appeared before him, Hiranyaksha asked for his boon, 'My Lord, my boon is that I shall not be defeated by any man, God or these animals...'' Hiranyaksha gave a list of animals, which could not defeat him. However he forgot to mention the boar as an animal, which could kill him.

Powered by this boon, Hiranyayaksha started tormenting the people of the earth. The humans were already alarmed about the earth. Hiranyayaksha had great strength and could fight anybody. He could never be defeated. He thought that he was the most powerful person ever created, he went and challenged everyone for a fight. The gods usually got scared of him.

However occasionally, some gods used to fight him. Angered by this Hiranyaksha decided that he had to make the Gods weak. He realised that though the gods lived in the heavens, the source of their power was the earth. If I made sure none of the Gods can access the earth, they will become weak and I can go unchallenged...

Hiranyaksha used powerful weapons and soon the earth shook so badly that she slipped from her axis. This was all that Hiranyaksha wanted and when the earth slipped she fell down... straight down...

Then Hiranyaksha hid the earth where no one could find her. Now Hiranyaksha went and challenged the Gods. The gods now not being connected with the earth were so greatly weakened and could not fight Hiranyaksha.

Hiranyaksha went and challenged Varuna, the God of the Sea. 'Varuna!' He bellowed loudly, 'I the great Hiranyaksha challenge you to a fight. I want to see how strong I am...' He said arrogantly.

Varuna seethed with anger, but there was nothing that he could do. He could not fight Hiranyaksha, in this condition. He spoke barely controlling his anger. 'Son I am much too older than you. However if you wish, you can go and fight Lord Vishnu, he is the strongest person, there is to fight...'

When he heard Lord Vishnu's name, Hiranyaksha felt a strange feeling. However as he did not remember who he was, he just nodded and decided that Lord Vishnu was the best person to fight.

Meanwhile Lord Vishnu was very worried. He was the Preserver God and he had heard Prithvi maa's prayer. He also realised the Hiranyaksha was coming his way.

He had to put the earth back in her place if she was to be protected.

And Hiranyaksha...Lord Vishnu smiled and realised that Jaya's first punishment was about to end...

A tiny boar emerged from the nostril of Lord Brahma – the Creator. But as soon as the boar emerged, the Boar started growing. It grew and grew and grew. Soon it grew as large as a mountain.

Hiranyaksha saw a huge boar dive and take the earth from where he had hid her. He was enraged and in awe at the same time. He taunted the boar, 'Hey! Where do you think, you are going. I, the great Hiranyaksha challenge you to a fight...Let us see whether you have the guts to fight me...'

However the boar paid no attention to Hiranyaksha. I have to get Prithvi maa back to her place. Jaya can wait for more time. He pushed the earth up.

As Hiranyaksha came closer, with his weapon, the boar went faster and faster, taking the earth with him. Finally just as Hiranyaksha attacked, the boar placed the earth back in her axis.

Prithvi maa said a silent thank you as the boar turned to face Hiranyaksha. The boar looked at Hiranyaksha so furiously, that Hhiranyaksha was momentarily terrified.

'You wanted to fight me... I was not free at that time. Now I am all yours. Let us who among the two of us is stronger...' The boar said.

The boar and Hiranyaksha fought each other. But this time Hiranyaksha had met his match. No matter what he did, the boar had an answer for it. The boar fought brutally and cleverly, managing to weave inside and outside the defences of Hiranyaksha.

Hiranyaksha found that he was actually getting tired and was still nowhere close to beating the boar.

Tiredly Hiranyaksha looked at the Boar. The boar seemed to be looking at him sternly and lovingly at the same time. He shook his head. Why would the boar look at him lovingly....He again charged at the boar. The boar easily deflected his attack and pushed him back.

Try as he might, Hiranyaksha was not able to find any weaknesses in the attack of the boar. He fought and knew that he could not defeat the boar.

At last out of sheer weakness, he looked at the boar. This is Narayana...my Lord..my Lord who has come as promised... He felt from somewhere deep inside him.

However Hiranyaksha continued to fight the boar. The Boar finally tired out Hiranyaksha and killed him. With his last breath, Hiranyaksha realised who was before him. Narayana...You are Narayana...

 NARASIMHA AVATAR - 4TH avatar

After the death of Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakasipu furious with the humans and the Devas, lead his army of asuras to attack them. However the Devas fought Hiranyakasipu and his men. Hiranyakasipu came to know that every time, Lord Vishnu helped the Devas to fight him back.

If I am to beat that Dark Lord, I need to have a boon to protect myself. Every time I attack the Devas or the humans, Vishnu thinks up of something to thwart my plans...I need to make myself powerful...With that one thought in his mind, Hiranyakasipu set out for the jungles. I will pray to Lord Brahma. He is the Creator God...If I pray long enough, Lord Brahma may even grant me immortality...

Hiranyakasipu started his meditation and soon forgot all about himself and his kingdom....

Meanwhile Lord Indra the King of the Devas came to know that Hiranyakasipu was not leading his men. Realising that if he acted now, he would be able to destroy the Asuras such that they would never be able to attack him again...Now is the right opportunity for me to strike at the heart of the Asuras. Without Hiranyakasipu, their strength is halved...Now if I destroy the Asuras, even if Hiranyakasipu comes back, he would not have an army to follow his orders... Thinking so, Indra along with other Devas attacked the kingdom of the Asuras.

Just as Lord Indra had expected, without Hiranyakasipu, the Asuras were no match for him. The Asuras lost the war. Lord Indra drove away most of the Asuras.

After destroying Hiranyakasipu's capital, Lord Indra marched into Hiranyakasipu's palace. There he found Hiranyakasipu's wife Kayadhu. I will take Hiranyakasipu's wife as my prisoner, Indra thought, If Hiranyakasipu comes back, I may be able to use her as a hostage...Thinking thus, Indra was forcibly taking Kayadhu to Amravathi, Indra's home in the heavens.

It was at that time that Sage Narada appeared before Indra, 'Indra STOP! What are you doing?'

Sage Narada thundered looking at Indra pulling Kayadhu in his chariot. Indra asked his men to catch Kayadu while he turned to address the wandering Sage. Indra bowed at Sage Narada, 'Sir, I have attacked the Asuras. Without Hiranyakasipu to lead them, I felt that this was the right time to destroy the threat of the Asuras...'

'Yes...yes...' Sage Narada said angrily, looking at the devastation around him, 'I can see that...Where does this woman come into this?' Narada asked pointing an angry finger at Kayadu, 'Did she fight you? It does not look like she raised any weapons against you, then why are you hurting her?'

Indra looked back at the Sage, 'Sir, she is the wife of Hiranyakasipu, my rival... I am taking her prisoner...' Indra looked at the fighting Kayadhu, 'Sir if Hirayakasipu attacks us later, I can use her as a hostage...'

Sage Narada if possible looked even more angrily at Indra, 'Fool! Just to win your battle, you will hurt another man's wife, who has done no harm to you...' Narada pointed a trembling finger at Kayadu, 'She is pure and innocent...Taking her prisoner would be a great sin...'

Indra looked at the angry sage and realised that he had no choice other than to let Kayadu go. Indra nodded at his men an they vanished from there leaving Kayadu in the middle of the ruined capital.

Sage Narada helped the trembling Kayadu, 'My daughter! Are you all right?..'

Kayadu looked shaken for a few minutes. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths trying to calm herself. Finally she opened her eyes and looked at the sage. She bowed to him, 'Thank you sir! Thank you for saving my life...I may be Hiranyakasipu's wife sir, but he is the only man I have ever loved...If Indra had taken me, I would have killed him and myself...' She said angrily gritting her teeth, clenching her hands into a fist, shaking slightly.

Sage Narada held up his hands, 'Peace my child...I know you are carrying a child. Such anger is not good either for you or the child...'

Kayadu looked at the sage and again took a deep breath calming herself.

Sage Narada waited until she was calm and spoke again, 'What will you do now? Is there any place you know which is safe for you?'

Kayadu looked around her at all the dead asuras and thought, If I stay here, Indra may come back...She shuddered slightly, At that time, the sage may not be there to speak for me...In my position, I may not be able to fight Indra...'She thought thinking about the child in her womb...She looked at the sage and bowed her head, 'Great Sage! I have a request for you...' She said looking at Sage Narada.

Narada nodded his head asking her to continue. Kayadu spoke, 'I will look after you as your own daughter...Would you please take me to your hermitage...If...if it is ok with you...' She said feeling slightly desperate...

Narada smiled. This was the reason Narada had come here – to take Kayadu to his home..It had started....

Kayadu accompanied Sage Narada to his home and there Kayadu looked after the Sage well. Sage Narada found Kayadu to be extremely intelligent and with a quick grasp. In the evenings, Sage Narada would relax and tell Kayadu stories of Lord Vishnu....Hearing all this Kayadu developed a profound sense of attachment towards Lord Vishnu.

In her womb, the young unborn baby also heard these stories and also loved Lord Vishnu. The time passed happily there...

Lord Brahma and the other Devas were meanwhile having a very big problem. The air of the heavens was becoming hotter and hotter and the Devas were finding it difficult to breathe. Wondering what had happened, the Devas searched and found that Hiranyakasipu's penance was becoming so powerful that the air of the heavens was burning up. Unable to take it anymore, the Devas ran to Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma agreed to meet Hiranyakasipu and went to earth to meet the Asura.

What he saw there stumped Lord Brahma. Hiranyakasipu was so deep in his prayer that creepers had grown on him...Hiranyakasipu still did not know...

Lord Brahma was touched with the devotion of Hiranyakasipu. He took some water from his Kamandalam and threw it on Hiranyakasipu. Slowly Hiranyakasipu got up from his trance. When the water fell on Hiranyakasipu, he emerged from the creepers new and fresh. He looked at the God of Creation and bowed, 'My Lord!'

Lord Brahma looked at Hiranyakasipu touched, 'Arise son! Your penance is unparalleled! You can have any boon you wish!'

Hiranyakasipu bowed and said, 'My Lord! I wish to be immortal...'

Lord Brahma looked unhappy as he shook his head, 'Son, all who are born have to die. I cannot change the laws of nature. Please ask for something else...'

Hiranyakasipu pouted...All my penances for nothing...Then Hiranyakasipu thought of something, Wait, if I ask for an impossible condition for death probably then...Hiranyakasipu thought fast and again bowed to Lord Brahma. 'Lord, I wish for a boon...'

Lord Brahma gestured for Hiranyakasipu to continue. Hiranyaksipu spoke in clear tones,

'Lord I wish that I cannot be killed by any man, God or animal or any other creature created by you. Nobody should be able to kill me at day or night, in heavens or in earth, in the day or the night either inside the house or outside the house, or with any weapons...'

When Lord Brahma heard this he stayed still for some time. He knew that granting this boon was not good considering that Hiranyakasipu had shown utter contempt for all other lives. But he also knew that he had no choice. He had to grant whatever was asked of him. Hiranyaksipu's penance had been very powerful. Narayana...I think you will need to take care of this... He thought as he said, 'So be it Hiranyakasipu! Your wish has been granted.'

Saying thus Lord Brahma vanished from there. Hiranyakasipu overjoyed with the boon ran back to his kingdom.

He was hurt to see that most of them were destroyed by the attack of Indra.

I will wreck revenge on Indra for this. Armed with the boon, Hiranyakasipu attacked Indra. Indra had no chance. The Devas were driven out of Devaloka. Hiranyakasipu became the ruler of the Heavens.

Hiranyakasipu found Kayadu and brought back his wife home.

Despite Kayadu asking Hiranyakasipu to change his ways, Hiranyakasipu tormented the humans and the Devas alike, but no one was able to raise a voice against him.

It was at this time that Kayadu gave birth to a fine young baby boy – he was named Prahlad.

As Prahlad was growing up, Hiranyakasipu became more and more powerful and he started committing more and more atrocities.

However Prahlad was quiet different from his father. Unlike his father Prahlad never hurt another living being. He was a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu and liked praying to Lord Vishnu. Prahlad was kind, gentle and firm to all people around him. While everyone was scared of Hiranyakasipu, all the people loved Prahlad.

Hiranyakasipu once asked Prahlad to come and sit on his lap. He lovingly stroked Prahlad's hair, 'Son! What a fine son you are! Tell me son, how are things going in your school?'

'Father!' Prahlad looked at his father lovingly, 'I have learnt that Vishnu – the Dark Lord is the Ruler of the Three worlds and that if we are devoted to him, he will always be there for us...'

Hiranyakasipu stopped stunned for a few seconds. He got angry, but with great difficulty curbed his anger. He nodded his head and sent for the boy's teacher. He asked Prahlad to go and play with friends as he wanted to talk to the teacher alone. When the teacher appeared, Hiranyakasipu was furious. He yelled at the teacher. 'What are you teaching your students? THIS...this this is what you are teaching...Lord Vishnu...WHY ARE YOU TEACHING YOUR STUDENTS ABOUT LORD VISHNU...'

The Guru quailed with fear. He stammered, 'L..Lord...Lord...I did not teach him these things...'

Hiranyakasipu shook his head furiously, 'Watch over the child! Someone is teaching him these useless things...'

The guru nodded his head and quickly went away from there, lest Hiranykasipu get more angry.

At the school, the Guru taught Prahlad about how Hiranyakasipu was the Lord of the three worlds and how he was to be worshipped...However Prahlad was distracted when he heard this. He shook his head, 'No sir! This is not right! Lord Vishnu is the Lord of the three worlds. The whole universe exists because of him...'

The guru became furious and afraid at the same time. Furious that Prahlad was defying him openly in the class for all the students to hear and afraid that if Prahlad repeated this to his father, Hiranyakasipu may become furious with him.

'Who..who taught you that?' He asked Prahlad furiously.

'It is the truth which can be found anywhere, if you know where to look...' Prahlad said looking straight at his teacher.

The guru dragged Prahlad back to his father's palace. He went to Hiranyakasipu, 'Sir! I have tried everything...The boy keeps on repeating what he said. He would not tell me from where he learnt this...'

Hiranyakasipu got more and more furious as he heard this. Anger blinded him. This is no son of mine...If these are the things he is teaching, he does not have any right to live...HIranyakasipu called his men, 'Guards! Take this boy and kill him with your swords.'

The guard looked anxiously at Hiranyakasipu wondering whether he had indeed ordered for killing the prince.

Hiranyakasipu angrily looked at his men and yelled, 'NOW!'

The men fell over backwards and pulled Prahlad with them. They took out their swords. The first guard struck Prahlad and watched surprised as the blade fell from the hilt...Prahlad looked unharmed and without fear. All the guards together struck Prahlad only to find their blades breaking off even before it struck Prahlad.

Bewildered they turned to Hiranyakasipu. Enraged Hiranyakasipu then ordered Prahlad to be bitten by poisonous snakes. However the bites of the snake did not affect Prahlad at all.

Prahlad then sat under a tree deep in meditation to the Dark Lord. Furious Hiranyakasipu turned on mad elephants at Prahlad to trample him. Hiranyakasipu was stunned when he saw the mad elephants sitting peacefully before Prahlad looking at him.

Hiranyakasipu called his sister Holika. 'Sister Holika! I need your help!'

Holika bowed to Hiranyakasipu, 'Speak my Lord!'

Hiranyakasipu said harshly, 'You have received a boon from the Lord that fire cannot harm you! I want you to use that boon now.'

Holika frowned looking at Hiranyakasipu for explanations. 'My son Prahlad!' Hiranyakasipu spat out, 'He..defies me openly...I don't want to see his face again...I want to kill him..He is no son of mine...I want you to take Prahlad in your lap and hold him tight, so that when I set both of you on fire, he would....'Hiranyakasipu said venomously.

Holika held her hands, 'I understand my Lord!'

Without question Holika picked up the meditating Prahlad and put him on her lap. After she had sat down, Hiranyakasipu set fire to them..That will be the end of him...

However Hiranyakasipu had not calculated the power of devotion. Prahlad gave no sign of even knowing what was going on around him. However Holika, the one who was immune from fire started burning. The fire of her sins burnt her...When the fire finally burnt out, Prahlad was sitting in the middle of a charred place not a hair out of place, whereas Holika was nowhere to be seen...

Now Hiranyakasipu felt afraid. He went to Prahlad and pulled the boy up. The boy woke up as if from a trance, looking around him. Hiranyakasipu shook him, 'YOU SAY YOUR VISHNU IS EVERY WHERE?' He yelled, 'Where is your Vishnu now? Is he here, behind this tree, Is he here in this setting son, Is he inside my palace? IS HE IN THIS PILLAR?' Hiranyakasipu yelled loudly.

Prahald looked at his father straight in the eye, 'Yes father! Lord Vishnu is everywhere...'

Enraged Hiranyakasipu kicked the pillar and said angrily, 'THEN WHERE IS HE?'

Hiranyakasipu stopped stunned as he saw the pillar shatter and from the pillar emerged a ferocious...What is that? It has the face of a lion and the body of the man...Hiranyakasipu hastily stepped back, looking at the half man-half lion. He shook his head unable to believe himself, when the half-man half-lion bellowed loudly, 'I am Narasimha, the avatar of Narayana, and I have come here to kill you...' Narasimha advanced with glowing eyes. Before Hiranyakasipu could escape, Narasimha caught him with his clawed fingers, in a vice like grip.

Hiranyakasipu struggled against grip, but it was of no use. Narasimha took Hiranyakasipu and dragged him to the threshold of the door [neither inside nor outside the house] and placed him on his lap [neither sky nor the earth] and there killed Hiranyakasipu with his claws [without weapons], at twilight [neither day nor night].

After killing Hiranyakasipu, Narasimha let out a loud roar and sat on Hiranyakasipu's throne.

All the Asuras had escaped from there seeing the ferocious beast. Even the Devas were afraid to go near Narasimha. However unafraid, Prahlad went forward. There was nothing but love in his eyes. 'My Lord! You have come to protect me...I knew you would come...'

Looking at the face of Prahlad, Narasimha smiled, 'Yes son! For you I have come!...' Prahlad looked at his father's body and looked at Narasimha, 'Do not worry son! You do not know his story! He is my doorkeeper Vijaya. He was born here because of a curse. After two more births he will attain his place back in Vaikunta...Do not worry about him...'

Prahlad nodded his head, 'I want nothing more, my Lord!'

Narasimha shook his head, 'No son! You are meant to rule your people. You will come to Vaikunta after you have completed your work on earth as your people's ruler...'

Prahhlad nodded his head once more. Prahlad became the benevolent ruler of the Asuras, who prospered during his reign and gave up there old cruel ways.

 VAMANA AVATAR - 5TH avatar

This is the fifth of the Dasavatar, where Lord Vishnu incarnates as a dwarf to protect Indra. ['Vamana' in Sanskrit means dwarf]. The Vamana Avatar is the first Avatar in which Lord Vishnu incarnated as a human.

The Vamana Avatar starts with Mahabali, the Asura King. Mahabali (also known as Bali or Maaveli) was the grandson of Prahlada and the son of Virochana. Mahabali was a a great ruler and his people loved him. The people were very happy and prosperous under his rule. He was taught the Vedas by his grandfather Prahlada and after that by his teacher Shukracharya.

Mahabali performed severe penance to Lord Brahma. Finally Lord Brahma appeared before him, 'My Lord!' Mahabali said bowing before Lord Brahma, 'The people are always afraid of Asuras. I want to show the world that we are good. I want to have the power equal to Indra. I also should not be defeated in battle, sir!'

Lord Brahma sensed that Mahabali was a righteous man, meant for great things. Without asking any questions, he granted Mahabali his boon.

Shukracharya was a very good teacher and a very good battle strategist. With his help, Mahabali soon conquered the three worlds. Mahabali defeated Indra, the King of the Gods and took over the heavens. However Mahabali aided by his Guru, was always righteous and was devoted to Lord Vishnu.

Shukracharya once called him, 'Bali! You have now conquered the three worlds. However if you wish to always be the Lord of the three worlds, you have to perform 100 Ashwamedha Yagnas. It is befitting that a king like you should perform the Ashwamedha Yagna, then you will always be the king of the 3 worlds.'

Bali who respected his teacher nodded his head and started about making preparations for the Yagna. Preparations were going on in full scale.

Meanwhile, elsewhere Indra was lying dejected. Bali had not only defeated him, but was also showing the world, how a great ruler should behave! Bali was a good king and people loved him. Indra was actually feeling jealous of him. Indra had a feeling that all the Gods would also be on the side of the Asura – Bali.

He was sitting beside his mother Aditi in his father – Kashyap's hermitage. Aditi looked at her son and asked him. 'What is the matter son? You look unhappy...'

Indra looked at his mother and said quietly, 'Mother, it is Bali...'

Aditi looked at his son, waiting for him to explain.

'Mother, not only did he manage to defeat me, he is such a good king! People will always say that I am not that good a king as him...' Indra said angrily, 'They will compare me to that Asura and say he is better... I cannot bear it...' He said burying his hands in his lap.

Aditi looked at her son and took pity on him. 'I will see what I can do...But you have to promise me son that you will be a good king and not be hasty and act rashly henceforth...'

Indra looked at his mother, wondering what she could do. But Indra did not doubt even for a minute that his mother would solve his problem.

Aditi prayed to Lord Vishnu and started performing penance to invoke Lord Vishnu. After some time Lord Vishnu appeared before Aditi, 'Aditi! Open your eyes!'

Aditi opened his eyes and bowed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu spoke, 'Why did you pray to me, Aditi?'

Aditi said, 'There is nothing you do not know. You know that Bali has taken over my son's kingdom...'

Lord Vishnu interrupted softly, 'Aditi, Bali is a great man and he is good devotee and he deserves to be the Indra...'

Aditi took a deep breath and spoke again, 'My Lord! I have no doubt, Bali is a fit king. But are the other Asuras fit to rule? I am sure the other Asuras would fall to their old cruel ways and go back to hurting people...Is that what you wish?'

Lord Vishnu looked at Aditi thinking something, 'Well what do you wish?'

Aditi smiled, 'I wish that you are born as my son to end Bali's menace...'

Lord Vishnu smiled, 'Bali is not a menace. But there is one thing. Bali is destined to be the Indra.' Aditi looked at Lord Vishnu with fear. 'But... not just yet. It will be after some time.' Lord Vishnu said smilingly.

'I will take care of this. I will be born as your son, Aditi.' Aditi left home a slightly happy woman.

Soon Aditi and Kashyap were the parents of a black, beautiful short boy. He was extremely intelligent and full of pranks and was the darling of the house.

In those days at the age of five, the sacred thread ceremony was performed, to send the children for their education. Vamana's sacred thread ceremony was also performed.

Meanwhile Mahabali had performed 99 Ashwamedha Yagna and had to perform just one more yagna after which he could be crowned as the King of the Gods.

The final Ashwamedha Yagna was about to be get completed, when the entire kingdom saw a handsome dark boy approach the throne. He looked radiant and looked as if he had mastered all the arts in the universe.

Mahabali felt a surge of love towards the boy. He got up from the throne and offered it to the boy and bowed before him.

'Sir! I am honoured that you have come to my hundredth Ashwamedha Yagna. I now feel it will be a success.' Mahabali said looking at the boy lovingly.

However Guru Shukracharya was looking at the boy suspiciously.

Mahabali said again, 'Sir! Today happens to be the day I give away any alms to any person. I will give you anything you want. Please...

'Mahabali!' Shukracharya interrupted. Mahabali turned around surprised. His guru never spoke out of turn. Something was surely wrong. He looked at his Guru who spoke quietly, 'I wish to talk with you, my Lord!'

'You wish to talk with me now, sir!' Mahabali spoke incredulously. The guru nodded curtly and went inside the main hall to a private room. Mahabali hurriedly apologized to the dwarf boy and went to with his Guru.

'Sir! What hap...' Mahabali asked in an agitated manner.

'Silence!' Shukracharya spoke firmly, 'The boy is none other than Lord Vishnu. He has come here on behalf of Indra. If you give him what he wants, all will be lost...'

However it seemed as if Mahabali heard only half of what his Guru had said. 'Lord Vishnu...! He looked like a man in a daze. 'My Lord has come here to ask something from me...Than I must go...' He said going towards the door.

'Stop! You will do no such thing' The guru thundered, 'Will you disobey your guru and do what your enemy wants...'

'There is no rule as far as my Lord is concerned. And...' Mahabali looked with loving eyes, 'He has come to ask something from me...I will give him anything...' Mahahabli said with a simple devotion, from his heart.

'You disobeyed me!' Shukracharya said angrily, 'You will lose your all your splendour, Mahabali!'

Mahabali listened to the sages words and remained unchanged. It did not matter to him anymore. He looked at his Guru, 'Sir! I am not afraid of anything that will happen from giving my Lord what he wants'

Saying thus Mahabali walked out of the room followed by a furious Shukracharya.

Mahabali went to the boy again and spoke lovingly, 'Sir! We were rudely interrupted...For that I am sorry. As I was saying, today is the day I will give anything to any person who comes asking from me. What is your wish sir?'

The dark boy looked at Mahabali quietly, 'I want three steps of land, measured by my feet!'

Whatever Mahahbali had expected this was not it! He expected the boy to ask for his life, his...anything but not this...this was simple...too simple. He almost laughed. 'Three steps! That is all you want! I will give you....'

The boy interrupted, 'If any person cannot be satisfied by three steps of land, there is nothing much he can be satisfied with, your Majesty! That is all I wish...'

Looking at the dark boy, the king felt the same magnetic effect. He nodded his head, 'Anything you wish sir!'

As soon as Mahabali uttered these words, Vamana grew. Vamana grew...and grew and grew. He grew so huge, that from where Bali stood, he could see only the boy's feet, nothing else. The boy had grown so huge that the earth itself seemed to measure up in his one step!

Next the boy lifted his other leg and measured up the entire skies with his other step! [The avatar where Lord Vishnu grew to such a huge size is called as Trivikrama Avatar]

Mahabali stood there astounded watching the Dark Lord's brilliance! The boy called Mahabali. 'Oh Great King! You promised me three steps... I have measured the earth and the skies in two steps. I have nowhere to keep my third step. Where shall I keep my third step?'

Mahabali heard the boy and smiled, 'My Lord! I am not someone who breaks his promises. I offer my head as your third step my Lord!'

Lord Vishnu gave a beautiful smile, a melancholy smile and kept his third step on the Asura's head. The Asura was pushed to the Nether world [Paatala] by the force of the third step on his head.

Thus Mahabali was removed from his splendour of being the king of the Three Worlds and was pushed to the Nether worlds....

Indra and the other Devas came back to their skies grateful that they had got back their kingdom. They were happy.

However Lord Vishnu was perturbed. Mahabali had been his true devotee. He had not faltered even when his guru had warned him. He remained true to what he had said...Lord Vishnu went to the underworld.

In the underworld, Mahahbali was rebuilding his kingdom. He did not once regret the fact that he was back in the underworld...He had served his Lord and had kept his promise. He was happy. He saw a dark man approaching him. 'Your majesty! I hear you are rebuilding your kingdom. I will be your watchman your majesty! I will protect you and be part of your army!'

Mahabali looked at the dark strong young man. He agreed. The man stayed along as his watchman.

Meanwhile a very beautiful woman also came up to Mahabali. She looked powerful and graceful at the same time. She said to Mahabali, 'Your Majesty! My husband...he has gone to fulfill some errands and is not yet home. I feel lonely without him. I also need protection. I heard that in Mahabali's kingdom, you look after everyone like your own children. Please give me protection too!'

Mahabali was moved when he heard the woman. He said, 'Lady! You are like my sister to me. Please come and stay in my palace. You can stay there as long as you wish!'

The lady thanked Mahabali. Very soon the Nether world became a very prosperous place. People lived very happily and without any worries.

Soon Mahabali relied on the watchman and his sister's counsel heavily. His kingdom was flourishing.

One day Mahabali heard the lady saying some prayers. 'Whom are you praying for?' Mahahbali asked the woman.

The woman turned and looked at Mahabali and said, 'You are my brother! I am praying for you!'

Mahabali was moved and again said, 'Whatever you want, I will give you, my sister!'

The lady smiled, 'I want my husband, Mahabali. You are the only one who can give it to me...'

Mahabali looked confused, 'Me..give your husband...?'

The lady pointed to the watchman, 'That is my husband...'

Mahabali blinked and stared as the two people vanished and there stood Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi in their places. Mahabali was flabbergasted that the great Lord had been his watchman! And that the Goddess of Fortune – Lakshmi had been with him all these days!

Lord Vishnu spoke, 'Your devotion dragged me here Mahabali! I had to be with you...'

Mahabali fell to his feet and looked at the Lord. The Lord continued. 'After this Indra's rule, you are the next Indra...That is my promise. Be a good ruler, my son!'

Mahabali then turned to the Goddess, 'I am sorry for keeping your husband from you, sister! Take him and go back!'

The goddess smiled, 'Thank you! And you did not keep him! He always is with people who love him most! May you always be prosperous...brother!'

Saying thus the two of them vanished to went back to Vaikunta. The bond between Mahabali and Lakshmi is said to be one of the reasons for celebrating the Raksha Bandhan, where the sisters prays for the welfare of the brothers and the brothers protect the sisters from any harm!

The festival of Onam, celebrated by the people of Kerala, commemorates Mahabali's homecoming after being sent down to the underworld by Vamana, a human dwarf and the fifth incarnation avatar of Vishnu.

PARASURAMA AVATAR - 6TH avatar

Parasurama was the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu incarnated himself as a brahman priest in this world. He was brought in this world to avenge all kshatriyas who had become arrogant and were suppressing the brahmans in the world. He was born with unusual physical power, and became better a fighter than any Kshatriya.

Parasurama was the grandson of Sage Rucheeka and Satyavati and the son of Sage Jamadagni and Renuka.