There many best ingredients that will help to cure your health problems naturally without side effects. This is a list of fruits and vegetables, you can use the blender mix them together, then drink them as your smoothie daily for couple of months definitely you will see the benefit of these mixture.
1.Carrot + Ginger + Apple - Boost and cleanse our system.
2.Apple + Cucumber + Celery - Prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, and improve stomach upset and headache.
3.Tomato + Carrot + Apple - Improve skin complexion and bad breath.
4.Bitter gourd + Apple + Milk - Avoid bad breath and reduce internal body heat.
5.Orange + Ginger + Cucumber - Improve Skin texture and moisture and reduce body heat.
6.Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon - To dispel excess salts, nourish the bladder and kidney.
7.Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi - To improve skin complexion.
8.Pear & Banana - Regulates sugar content.
9.Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango - Clear body heat, counteracts toxicity, decreased blood pressure and fight oxidization.
10.Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk - Rich in vitamin C and Vitamin B2 that increase cell activity and strengthen body immunity.
11.Papaya + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin C, E, Iron. Improve skin complexion and metabolism.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
SEVEN SPICES FOR SOUP
BENEFITS OF SPICES
Black pepper
Benefits Pepping up your soup can help improve digestion and reduce fever. This special spice also has antibacterial and antioxidant effects.
Use it Grind over all soups.
Cinnamon
Benefits Cinnamon has been shown to improve blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Aim for a quarter to half a teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day.
Use it Sprinkle a little in tomato-based soups like minestrone.
Turmeric
Benefits Some studies have shown that curcumin, a compound in turmeric, may inhibit the growth of cancer cells. And it's also a great anti-inflammatory. It has detoxing effects on the liver and may prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloid plaque build-up in the brain.
Use it Add 1/4 tsp (per serve) of turmeric to vegetable- and lentil-based soups.
Rosemary
Benefits Rosemary may help stop gene mutations that can lead to certain types of cancer. It can also boost liver function and it contains substances that are useful for stimulating the immune system, increasing circulation, and improving digestion. Plus it may help reduce the severity of asthma attacks, and increase blood flow to the head to improve concentration. Talk about a wonder herb!
Use it Great in chicken soups - add a few sprigs at the start of cooking.
Garlic
Benefits Garlic is an antibacterial, so it fights off infections, and it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Plus, it's been shown to lower cholesterol , blood pressure the risk of stroke and heart disease... Hey, there are worse things than garlic breath!
Use it Let garlic sit for 10 to 15 minutes after chopping and before cooking so the active form of the protective phytochemicals develops. Fresh garlic is great in most soups, but it's especially delish in tomato- and chicken-based soups.
Paprika
Benefit Paprika contains capsaicin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may lower the risk of cancer.
Use it Add a teaspoon or two of paprika or smoked paprika to tomato-based soups.
Ginger
Benefit Ginger can decrease motion sickness and nausea and it may relieve pain and swelling associated with arthritis.
Use it Add 1/4 tsp ground ginger to vegie-based soups and chicken soups.
Oregano
Benefit A study published in the American Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that, gram for gram, oregano has the highest antioxidant activity of 27 fresh culinary herbs.
Use it To spice up tomato soup, add 1 to 2 tsp of oregano to tomato-based soups. It's awesome in minestrone.
Black pepper
Benefits Pepping up your soup can help improve digestion and reduce fever. This special spice also has antibacterial and antioxidant effects.
Use it Grind over all soups.
Cinnamon
Benefits Cinnamon has been shown to improve blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Aim for a quarter to half a teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day.
Use it Sprinkle a little in tomato-based soups like minestrone.
Turmeric
Benefits Some studies have shown that curcumin, a compound in turmeric, may inhibit the growth of cancer cells. And it's also a great anti-inflammatory. It has detoxing effects on the liver and may prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloid plaque build-up in the brain.
Use it Add 1/4 tsp (per serve) of turmeric to vegetable- and lentil-based soups.
Rosemary
Benefits Rosemary may help stop gene mutations that can lead to certain types of cancer. It can also boost liver function and it contains substances that are useful for stimulating the immune system, increasing circulation, and improving digestion. Plus it may help reduce the severity of asthma attacks, and increase blood flow to the head to improve concentration. Talk about a wonder herb!
Use it Great in chicken soups - add a few sprigs at the start of cooking.
Garlic
Benefits Garlic is an antibacterial, so it fights off infections, and it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Plus, it's been shown to lower cholesterol , blood pressure the risk of stroke and heart disease... Hey, there are worse things than garlic breath!
Use it Let garlic sit for 10 to 15 minutes after chopping and before cooking so the active form of the protective phytochemicals develops. Fresh garlic is great in most soups, but it's especially delish in tomato- and chicken-based soups.
Paprika
Benefit Paprika contains capsaicin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may lower the risk of cancer.
Use it Add a teaspoon or two of paprika or smoked paprika to tomato-based soups.
Ginger
Benefit Ginger can decrease motion sickness and nausea and it may relieve pain and swelling associated with arthritis.
Use it Add 1/4 tsp ground ginger to vegie-based soups and chicken soups.
Oregano
Benefit A study published in the American Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that, gram for gram, oregano has the highest antioxidant activity of 27 fresh culinary herbs.
Use it To spice up tomato soup, add 1 to 2 tsp of oregano to tomato-based soups. It's awesome in minestrone.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
DEEPAVALI FESTIVAL REASONS
DEEPAVALI : FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
OORELLA BELAKAGO DEEPAVALI
ULLASA THARUVANTHA DEEPAVALI
ELLELLU PATAKIGALA BALUHAVALI
This Kannada song is very famous during Deepavali festival. It means that the city is lighted up, these lights brings joy and happiness, everywhere you can hear cracker sound and it goes on..
Deepavali : The word `Deepavali’ literally means rows of Deepa or Diya (clay lamp). Deepavali is a festival for lighting rows of lamps. There is also a deeper meaning associated with this. Lamps give light, which is a symbol of Gyana (knowledge). Knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievements can be accomplished. Lakshmi (wealth) increases only in the environment of knowledge and light, where the intentions and motives are clear and full of wisdom.
Wherever there is Agyana, that is darkness or ignorance, it leads to loss of wealth and even if it is acquired it is not long lasting. Hence we light lamps to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.
The symbolism of light is essential to this festival. It is understood that without light there can be no life. Light is responsible for the development of all living things. Light is associated with heat, the sun and the divine.
It is also stated that during this day Goddess Lakshmi resides in the flame of the Deepa or Diya making the purpose of lighting the Deepa even more significant.
The traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual and scientific significance. The spiritual significance being that the oil or ghee in the lamp symbolises our Vaasanas (negative tendencies) and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the Vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The scientific reason can be stated in a way that ghee lamp is a mode of purifying the environment and distributing what one has to give to a large number of people.
The celebration of the four-day festival commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdashi and concludes on Kartika Shuddha Vijiya. The first day of the festival NARAKA CHATURDASHI marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Sathyabhama.
Naraka, son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power from a blessing given by Lord Brahma after a severe penance. Narakasura ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace with his invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture. But Naraka had a boon that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Sathyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka.
When Krishna fell unconscious after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Sathyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Naraka, killing him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhudevi. The slaying of Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they step in to the wrong path. The message of Naraka Chaturdashi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one’s own personal bonds. It is interesting to note that Bhudevi, mother of the slain demon Naraka, declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. It is said Lord Krishna had an oil bath to rid himself off the blood spattered on his body when Naraka was killed. The tradition is followed and people offer prayers on the previous day of the Naraka Chaturdashi to the vessel in which water is being heated for having bath. Hindus light fireworks, which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day.
The second day is AMAVASYA when Lakshmi puja is performed. It is believed that on this day Gnaesha, God of Wisdom and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Lakshmi would be in her benevolent mood and fulfill the wishes of her devotees. It was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Ksheera Sagara (Ocean of Milk), when the Gods and demons were churning the sagara (ocean) for nectar (Amrutha). Lakshmi Pooja is performed in the evenings when tiny clay lamps are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits, devotional songs in praise of Goddess Lakshmi are sung and Naivedya of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess.
Some practices, they do Kedareshwari vrata, Nombu, Mahagowri pooja etc.
Pooja styles varies according to the individual family traditions and customs.
Styles are different but the form is one. Different directions to one destination.
King Bali of the netherworld, with his mighty power, had become a threat to the gods. To curb his powers, Lord Vishnu in the guise of a Brahmin boy (Vamana), visited him and begged for that much land he could cover with three footsteps.
So, with the first step, Vamana covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth. When he asked Bali where he could keep his third step, Bali offered his head and put the Lord’s foot on his head. Lord Vishnu banishes Bali into the Pathala (nether land) by his third stride. Later, pleased by his generosity, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon to return to earth once in a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.
Meanwhile, the Goddess is unable to bear the separation and her grief affects the functioning of the entire universe. Brahma and Lord Shiva offer themselves as guards and plead with Bali to relieve Vishnu. So, on the Amavasya day, Lord Vishnu returns to his abode and Goddess Lakshmi is delighted. It is believed that those who worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day would be bestowed with all the riches.
The third day is Kartika Shuddha Padyami which is BALI PADYAMI and Bali would come out of Pathala Loka and rule Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as ‘Bali Padyami’. The fourth day is referred to as ‘Yama Dwitheeya.’ On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes and offer them gifts.
However, in the northern part of India it is celebrated as the return of Lord Rama along with Seetha and Lakshmana from his 14 years of exile after killing demon Ravana. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his subjects illuminated the kingdom and burst crackers. For the business community, Deepavali marks the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and also the beginning of the new financial year. On this day Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. Believing this day to be auspicious, women purchase some gold and silver or at least one or two new utensils. People in Bengal worship Goddess Kali or Durga during the festival of lights.
Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting clay lamps, decorating the houses, bursting crackers, inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast and exchanging sweets. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame.
It is said that seven lights brighten a house. The first one is ever-burning oil lamps in front of the god, which fights against darkness. Second one is the blessings of elders. Third is by pleasant moods of the housewife and the fourth is efficiency and honesty of the owner. Blessing of a satisfied guest is the fifth light; children’s happiness is the sixth and a good word uttered by the neighbours is the seventh light. People do not put off the light as the light takes man towards prosperity, knowledge and lift the human soul to the height of divine.
Gopuja
Gopuja (worshipping the cow) is conducted to revere the sacred animal. In villages, cattle are adorned and worshipped by farmers as they help them in cultivation. And are the main sources of income. Farmers are closely associated with cattle. They wash animals and decorate them with garlands, place Kumkum and turmeric powder on their forehead and offer pooja for them. Animals are fed with various sweets and other delicious foods. Some people also paint the horns of bullocks. It is a way of thanking animals, which helped them in cultivation and other activities. Some people celebrate this also as Dhanyalakshmi Pooja, where grocery shop owners offer pooja to the goddess of food and grains.
For Jains, Deepavali is the beginning of New Year and the sacred day of the Nirvana of Lord Mahaveera. Sikhs celebrate Deepavali and lighten the Swarna Mandir at Amritsar. Moghul King Jahangeer released Harigovinda Singh, the sixth Guru of Sikhs, on Deepavali after a long imprisonment.
In North India, its 5 days DIWALI festival
1.Dhanteras
2.Choti diwali
3.Lakshmi puja on Diwali
4.Padwa or Govardhan pooja
5.Bhai Dooj
The story is same, meaning is same but the style is different .
Throughout India, Deepavali festival recipes are different. Each state has its unique way of festival recipes which is DELICIOUS DELIGHTS TO ONE AND ALL.
OORELLA BELAKAGO DEEPAVALI
ULLASA THARUVANTHA DEEPAVALI
ELLELLU PATAKIGALA BALUHAVALI
This Kannada song is very famous during Deepavali festival. It means that the city is lighted up, these lights brings joy and happiness, everywhere you can hear cracker sound and it goes on..
Deepavali : The word `Deepavali’ literally means rows of Deepa or Diya (clay lamp). Deepavali is a festival for lighting rows of lamps. There is also a deeper meaning associated with this. Lamps give light, which is a symbol of Gyana (knowledge). Knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievements can be accomplished. Lakshmi (wealth) increases only in the environment of knowledge and light, where the intentions and motives are clear and full of wisdom.
Wherever there is Agyana, that is darkness or ignorance, it leads to loss of wealth and even if it is acquired it is not long lasting. Hence we light lamps to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.
The symbolism of light is essential to this festival. It is understood that without light there can be no life. Light is responsible for the development of all living things. Light is associated with heat, the sun and the divine.
It is also stated that during this day Goddess Lakshmi resides in the flame of the Deepa or Diya making the purpose of lighting the Deepa even more significant.
The traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual and scientific significance. The spiritual significance being that the oil or ghee in the lamp symbolises our Vaasanas (negative tendencies) and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the Vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The scientific reason can be stated in a way that ghee lamp is a mode of purifying the environment and distributing what one has to give to a large number of people.
The celebration of the four-day festival commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdashi and concludes on Kartika Shuddha Vijiya. The first day of the festival NARAKA CHATURDASHI marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Sathyabhama.
Naraka, son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power from a blessing given by Lord Brahma after a severe penance. Narakasura ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace with his invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture. But Naraka had a boon that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Sathyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka.
When Krishna fell unconscious after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Sathyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Naraka, killing him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhudevi. The slaying of Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they step in to the wrong path. The message of Naraka Chaturdashi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one’s own personal bonds. It is interesting to note that Bhudevi, mother of the slain demon Naraka, declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. It is said Lord Krishna had an oil bath to rid himself off the blood spattered on his body when Naraka was killed. The tradition is followed and people offer prayers on the previous day of the Naraka Chaturdashi to the vessel in which water is being heated for having bath. Hindus light fireworks, which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day.
The second day is AMAVASYA when Lakshmi puja is performed. It is believed that on this day Gnaesha, God of Wisdom and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Lakshmi would be in her benevolent mood and fulfill the wishes of her devotees. It was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Ksheera Sagara (Ocean of Milk), when the Gods and demons were churning the sagara (ocean) for nectar (Amrutha). Lakshmi Pooja is performed in the evenings when tiny clay lamps are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits, devotional songs in praise of Goddess Lakshmi are sung and Naivedya of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess.
Some practices, they do Kedareshwari vrata, Nombu, Mahagowri pooja etc.
Pooja styles varies according to the individual family traditions and customs.
Styles are different but the form is one. Different directions to one destination.
King Bali of the netherworld, with his mighty power, had become a threat to the gods. To curb his powers, Lord Vishnu in the guise of a Brahmin boy (Vamana), visited him and begged for that much land he could cover with three footsteps.
So, with the first step, Vamana covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth. When he asked Bali where he could keep his third step, Bali offered his head and put the Lord’s foot on his head. Lord Vishnu banishes Bali into the Pathala (nether land) by his third stride. Later, pleased by his generosity, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon to return to earth once in a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.
Meanwhile, the Goddess is unable to bear the separation and her grief affects the functioning of the entire universe. Brahma and Lord Shiva offer themselves as guards and plead with Bali to relieve Vishnu. So, on the Amavasya day, Lord Vishnu returns to his abode and Goddess Lakshmi is delighted. It is believed that those who worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day would be bestowed with all the riches.
The third day is Kartika Shuddha Padyami which is BALI PADYAMI and Bali would come out of Pathala Loka and rule Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as ‘Bali Padyami’. The fourth day is referred to as ‘Yama Dwitheeya.’ On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes and offer them gifts.
However, in the northern part of India it is celebrated as the return of Lord Rama along with Seetha and Lakshmana from his 14 years of exile after killing demon Ravana. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his subjects illuminated the kingdom and burst crackers. For the business community, Deepavali marks the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and also the beginning of the new financial year. On this day Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. Believing this day to be auspicious, women purchase some gold and silver or at least one or two new utensils. People in Bengal worship Goddess Kali or Durga during the festival of lights.
Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting clay lamps, decorating the houses, bursting crackers, inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast and exchanging sweets. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame.
It is said that seven lights brighten a house. The first one is ever-burning oil lamps in front of the god, which fights against darkness. Second one is the blessings of elders. Third is by pleasant moods of the housewife and the fourth is efficiency and honesty of the owner. Blessing of a satisfied guest is the fifth light; children’s happiness is the sixth and a good word uttered by the neighbours is the seventh light. People do not put off the light as the light takes man towards prosperity, knowledge and lift the human soul to the height of divine.
Gopuja
Gopuja (worshipping the cow) is conducted to revere the sacred animal. In villages, cattle are adorned and worshipped by farmers as they help them in cultivation. And are the main sources of income. Farmers are closely associated with cattle. They wash animals and decorate them with garlands, place Kumkum and turmeric powder on their forehead and offer pooja for them. Animals are fed with various sweets and other delicious foods. Some people also paint the horns of bullocks. It is a way of thanking animals, which helped them in cultivation and other activities. Some people celebrate this also as Dhanyalakshmi Pooja, where grocery shop owners offer pooja to the goddess of food and grains.
For Jains, Deepavali is the beginning of New Year and the sacred day of the Nirvana of Lord Mahaveera. Sikhs celebrate Deepavali and lighten the Swarna Mandir at Amritsar. Moghul King Jahangeer released Harigovinda Singh, the sixth Guru of Sikhs, on Deepavali after a long imprisonment.
In North India, its 5 days DIWALI festival
1.Dhanteras
2.Choti diwali
3.Lakshmi puja on Diwali
4.Padwa or Govardhan pooja
5.Bhai Dooj
The story is same, meaning is same but the style is different .
Throughout India, Deepavali festival recipes are different. Each state has its unique way of festival recipes which is DELICIOUS DELIGHTS TO ONE AND ALL.
Monday, October 29, 2007
COCONUT MILK RICE
Coconut milk rice
Basmathi rice 3 cups
coconut milk 400ml
Soaked peas 1/2 cup
boiled water 1 cup
cloves 4
cinnamon 1 inch stick
garlic pods 8
green chillies 7 slit length wise
onion 2 chopped lengthwise
Fennelseed 1 tspn
mint leaves(optional)
oil 2 tbspn
salt
1. Soak basmathi rice for 15 minutes
2. Heat kadai with oil,add cloves, cinnamom, fennel seeds, garlic pods, green chillies ,fry for 2 minutes, add onion and fry well with soaked peas.
3. Keep at low flame, add coconut milk,water and stir well with salt.
4. shift the kadai contents to rice cooker .Drain basmathi rice and add.
5. Cook coconut milk rice in the rice cooker .
It goes on well with any type of pulses masala curry.
Pulse or any bean masala currry
overnight soaked Black eyed bean 1 cup
potatoes 1 big size
chopped onion 1
chopped tomato 1
ginger garlic paste 1tspn
dessicated coconut 2 tbspn
red chilli powder 1and 1/2 tspn
coriander powder 1 and 1/2 tspn
turmeric a pinch
coriander leaves 2 stems
cloves 2
cinnamon 1 small piece
oil
salt
for grinding
Heat kadai with oil, add cloves and cinnamon,fry gingergarlic paste, onion till brown, add tomato and fry, add dessicated coconut and all powder with salt and allow it to cool and grind.
1. Boil the soaked bean and cubed potatoes with little salt in another vessel.
2. once bean is cooked, mix the ground paste and boil for 6-8 minutes.
3. Season the curry at the end with mustard and curry leaves.
Any type of bean curry goes well on with jeera rice, plain rice, coconut milk rice, pulao, chappathi, poori ,roti etc. You can mix and match with anything. Thats the speciality of the curry.
Monday, October 22, 2007
MYTHOLOGICAL STORIES OF DURGA DEVI
When we read Durga chalisa and Durga Arthi. Its equivalent to reading the story.
The story below is from the net. I like to share this to everybody.
Mythological Stories of Godess Durga
Durga is a wrathful form of Parvati (consort of Shiva). She is represented with many arms with a weapon in each hand, shown sitting astride her mount, the lion, holding celestial weapons. Though popularly She is depicted with ten hands, but other of her popular forms present her with four, six, eight, sixteen, eighteen, and even, a thousand hands. Her face always remains calm and gentle. As Durga, the Goddess is ''beyond reach'' or ''inaccessible''. She is Devi Mahishasuramardini (Goddess Killer of the Buffalo Demon) who appears to her devotees as both saumya (gentle and mild) and ghora (frightful and terrible). According to Skanda Purana, she is none other than Parvati who takes on the role of warrior at Siva’s request to kill a giant demon. The demon cannot be killed by any of the gods because he is protected against the torments of any male by a special boon. Thus Parvati alone is able to kill him, and in doing so, the goddess is named Durga. The demon then takes the form of a buffalo, an apparition that again appears in the famous Devi-Mahatmya tale of the slaying of Mahishasura, the buffalo demon (mahisha means buffalo).
The story from 'Markandeya Chandi'
("Mahishasur-Vadh" or 'The Killing of Mahishasura'-episode from the book):
All the gods, headed by Lord Brahma, came over to Kailasha (a peak in the Himalayas), where Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva were busy in divine conversations. They narrated the whole story of how the demon-king Mahishasura dethroned Indra from the heaven. They added that, the demon is severely putting an end to the devotees of Vishnu and Shiva, by killing them cruelly. The Asura (demon) wants all in the universe to worship him as god, and not anyone else. First, There's no yajna (worship through divine fire in the altar) for long, and the gods of heaven are leading a life in disguise in the mountain caves, away from the clasp of Mahishasura. Hearing the story, the faces of Vishnu and Shiva turned red in wrath. Their faces glowed up. A sudden effulgent, fiery glow came out of their faces, and at a single point, the energy, the 'jyoti' (divine glow and aura), of all the gods coalesced and formed a gigantic mountain of fire. Soon, this 'jyotipunjah' (heap of 'jyoti') took the form of a young woman. She had the complexion of molten gold, and her 'jyoti' touched the heavens high above. Her face was from the light of Shiva. Her ten arms were from Lord Vishnu. Her legs were from Lord Brahma. Where as, her hair from Yama, her hips from the force of the goddess Earth, her breasts from the Moon-god, and so on. The dispossessed gods were drawn to Durga. They praised her and gave to her their divine gifts: Pinakadhrik (Shiva) gave her a trident - "Trishula". Lord Vishnu gave her a disc - "Chakra". Varuna, the god of water, gave her a conch - "Shankha", and the god of fire gave her a missile. From the wind, Vayu, she received arrows. The king of gods, Indra, gave her a thunder-bolt, and the gift of Indra's white-skinned elephant Airavata was a bell, or "ghanta". From Yama, the god of death, Durga received a rod - "Kaaldanda", and from the Ruler of Waters she was given a noose - "Paash". Durga received many other precious and magical treasures -- gifts of jewels, new clothing, and a garland of immortal lotuses for her head and breasts. Heaven's architect Vishwakarma gave her a bright axe and magic armor. God of the Himalayas, Himavat, gave her jewels and a magnificent lion to ride into battle as her mount ("vahan"). Now equipped with the fearsome weaponry of the gods and dressed in golden armor and jewels she set off, seated gracefully upon that lion. His thunderous roars shook the three worlds. Oceans boiled and surf poured overland. Continents were torn at their granite foundations as whole new chains of mountains rose, while older ranges crumbled, cracked, and gave way to dust in a thousand landslides. Seeing these cataclysms rippling in waves through all the three worlds, Mahishasura and his demon allies found their attention drawn from heaven to Earth. Though confident of their power and control in heaven, even the conquering demon host could not help being awestruck.
The demons had little time to admire the radiant visage of their new adversary, for soon she engaged them on the battlefield. First the army of Chikasura and then that of Chamara, Mahishasura's chief commanders were met. They were destroyed in a great battle. At first, confident of his overwhelming power, Mahishasura held in reserve his personal demon army. But seeing the setbacks being dealt his commander's troops on every side, it soon became obvious to Mahishasura that even his personal guard must be completely committed or he would surely be cast out of heaven. Or worse. Onto the battlefield swarmed that most elite and despised assemblage, with its gruesome hordes of infantry gleefully wielding their unearthly collection of dark iron axes and halberds, gorey bludgeoneers side by side with squadrons of demon-archers. Leading this evil array in its mad and desperate charge were thousands of charioteers and cavalry of horses and elephants. Surrounded by chants of praise, the blowing of horns the beating of drums and songs of worship Durga roamed the battlefield on her mighty lion. From her divine breath her army was constantly replenished with new warriors, each able, brave and resolute. With her bell she confused the demons, and many were dragged away bound and chained. With her divine sword she cut them to bits. So many demons and elephants and horses died that a river of blood flowed across the battlefield. The ground was left littered with the broken limbs and body parts of the defeated demon army. Durga was then attacked by the demon commanders, who were all killed immediately, and without mercy.
Mahisha, the king of the demons and usurper of the throne of heaven, was shocked and enraged by the disastrous events on the battlefield. He reverted to his own form, a buffalo, and charged about on the battlefield. He ran wildly at Durga's divine soldiers goring many, biting others and all the while thrashing with his long, whip-like tail. Durga's lion, angered by the presence of the demon-buffalo, attacked him. While he was thus engaged, Durga threw her noose around his neck. To escape this trap, Mahishasura discarded the buffalo and assumed the form of a lion. Durga beheaded the lion, and the demon escaped in the form of a man. Without hesitation, Durga dispatched the man with a flight of sharp arrows. Mahishasura and Lion Yet again the demon escaped, and this time took the formidable shape of a huge elephant, which battered Durga's lion with a tusk. With her sword Durga hacked at the tusk until it too was broken. Weakened, the demon reverted once more to his own form the wild buffalo. He retreated into the mountains where he hurled boulders at Durga with his horns. The Mother of the Universe drank the divine wine, gift of Kuvera. She said:
"Garja garja Kshanam moorha, madhu yavat pivamyaham |
Mayaa twayi hatehtraiva, garjishyantyashu devatah ||"
--- Take thou time to squall and scream as long as I don't finish up my divine wine, o, foolish Mahishasura! I will soon slain you (after I finish my drink), and the gods of heaven would burst in the joy of victory.
Immediately after this, the goddess jumped onto Mahishasura, pushing him to the ground with her left leg. She grasped his head in one hand, pierced him with her sharp spear held in another, and with yet another of her ten hands she wielded her bright sword, beheading him. At last he fell dead, and the scattered surviving remnants of his once invincible army fled in terror. The gods returned to heaven, and along with the sages of the earth, they sang praises to the Goddess Durga. Henceforth, and to this day, the Goddess Durga is worshipped by all the gods in heaven, and all human beings on earth. As he requested, Mahishasura is there too--frozen in his moment of final defeat, impaled by Durga's spear and prostrate beneath her left foot.
Glory of the Goddess
Once in the land of the gods, a huge and terrible battle raged for hundreds of years. The gods were finally defeated, kicked from their celestial abode by the terrible leader of the demons, Mahishasura. The gods, who had fought the battle and lost, appeared before the greatness of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, explaining their defeat. The major gods became furious, and from their faces ''came forth a great fiery splendor, and also from the...bodies of all the gods, Indra and others...and it congealed into a single form''.
Quote Thomas Coburn’s translation of the Devi-Mahatmya at this point will give a feel for the power of the tale of Durga’s appearance: A stupendously fiery mass like a flaming mountain the gods saw there filling the firmament with flames. That matchless splendor, born from the bodies of all the gods, came together in a single place, pervading all the worlds with its lustre, and it became a woman...Devi bellowed aloud with laughter over and over again. The entire atmosphere was filled with her terrible noise, and from that deafening, ear-shattering noise a great echo arose. All the worlds quaked, and the oceans shook. The earth trembled, and the mountains tottered. The gods, utterly delighted, cried, "Victory!" to the one who rides on a lion.
The Stories of Sati and Parvati
What appeals to me the most about Hinduism is that one is allowed to doubt and question. In fact you will be surprised to learn that most of our scriptures are entirely conversations And discussions between Master and disciple. The Bhagavad Geeta would not have been a Scripture of such excellence, in terms of knowledge and wisdom if, Arjun would not have challenged and questioned and questioned Krishna’s word over and over again. It is only in the last Chapter that Arjun asserted: ‘Nashto Mohaa...’ Arjun stated that his delusion was destroyed through the Lord’s Grace, He claimed that his doubts were now gone and he professed that he would now act according to Krishna’s advice. Note, that not once did Krishna express His displeasure at Arjuna’s constant arguments. The Ramayan starts with Sati , the consort of Lord Shiva wondering and questioning. She said to Shiva that she could not agree that Shri Ram was the Lord God Himself in whom Shiva had such intrinsic faith. How could Shri Ram be so disconsolate, when he lost Seeta and could not find her? How could he tearfully ask every tree and shrub where Seeta was? Sati scoffed and wondered aloud. Though Shiva explained that that was the (Leela) sport of the Lord, Sati wanted to test it out for herself. So Sati impersonated Seeta and planted herself near Shri Ram. The latter addressed her as ‘Ma’ Sati had not managed to deceive the Lord Shri Ram. When Shiva asked Sati about her whereabouts, she lied to him.
It is said that Shiva, when he learnt that she had impersonated Devi Seeta, could not accept her as a sexual mate. Shiva had nothing against the fact that she doubted or that she questioned. He was against her impersonation. The above is what we are mostly guilty of. We pretend to be that which we are not. That leads to lies, to those who we love And who have so much trust in us. We not only deceive others but ourselves. It is the above trespass that makes us incarnate again for another try. That is the point that I am trying to make. The above is one of the reasons why Sati had to return as Parvati in her next incarnation. As Parvati, she again showed a desire to learn about the feats and greatness Of Shri Ram. Shiva, this time round was happy to comply with Parvati’s Divine Desire. That is how the Great Narration of the Ramayan began.
Once again there was a Divine Plan in action. One more time for the benefit of Humanity. This story appears in the Shiva Puraanam:-
Sati’s father, King Daksha performed severe penance for 3000 years. The pleased goddess manifested before him and promised to take birth as his daughter Herself. When Sati or Gauri as she was named, grew up, she performed intense penance to attain Shiva as her husband. Daksha was not very happy at Sati’s choice of husband. So Daksha did not invite Shiva and Gauri (Sati) to a great Yagna (Spiritual sacrifice) that he was about to perform. Sati, noting that all the celestial vehicles were headed towards her father’s place, felt peeved at the fact that she had received no invitation. She insisted on attending the function anyway, despite the disapproval of Shiva. When Sati entered her parental palace, her father Daksha ignored her. To add insult to injury, Daksha proclaimed that his other daughters and their husbands were finer and more distinguished than Sati and Shiva and as such were more worthy of honour than Sati and Shiva. The Goddess Sati approached the Sadas (The area of the site of sacrifice where the main priests sit.) She thundered: "Let all those who sit here give ear to the Mistress of the Universe. My husband, the Lord of Lords has been insulted for no good reason. No fault exists in Him. It is claimed in the Scriptures that those who steal knowledge, those who betray a Teacher and those who defile the Lord are great sinners and ought to be punished".
After uttering these words, the offended Goddess threw herself in the glowing sacred fire. Daksha’s Yagna had been desecrated. A celebration turned into a funeral. The invitees disappeared afraid that they could be avenged. Shiva was enraged on learning that his wife had sacrificed herself. He created a being called Veerbhadra by tearing a lock of his hair. Mighty Veerbhadra tore off King Daksha’s head and tossed it into the same sacrificial fire. However because it was proclaimed that the Yagna should not be left incomplete, the head of a sacrificial goat was placed on Daksha. Lord Shiva was very sad at the death of Sati. He began to wander in the three nether worlds carrying the dead body of Sati in his arms. So violent was his stride that the universe began to tremble and there was suffering everywhere. In order to break this attachment of Shiva and to save the universe, Vishnu shot some arrows from his bow and cut the corpse of Sati into fifty one pieces. The pieces fell in 51 different parts of the country. These are known as Shakti Pithas.
And so the Great Goddess is born, ready to fight the enemies of the gods. In her battle with the demons, she easily wins, and must finally confront the general, Mahisha himself. For this battle she is called Chandika, ''The Violent and Impetuous One'', in part because Mahisha so infuriates her by changing form every time she attempts to kill him. The goddess charges and he changes into a lion. She cuts off his head, and he emerges from that body as a man, armed for battle. She kills him, and an elephant appears in his place. She chops off the trunk, and the buffalo is once again before her. Needing something to channel her focus, Chandika drinks her fill of wine and becomes intoxicated. She laughs at Mahisha as he roars and throws mountains at her during her break. She yells at him that soon it will be the gods who are roaring over his death and defeat. Downing her last gulp, the goddess leaps across the battlefield at Mahisha, stands upon his neck to stop him from changing into any other form, pierces him with her spear and chops off his head. She is indeed victorious with this manoeuver, and the gods sing her praise. She so loves their devotion that she tells them she will come again to their aid if they merely call. With this boon, she disappears.
The most detailed and glorious tale of Durga’s battlefield prowess comes when the gods, who remember her earlier promise, again call upon her. This time, She is asked to defeat the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha (two brothers). These demons had somehow managed to amass so much power that they deprived the gods of sacrificial offerings for a long time. This caused the gods tremendous stress because the offerings are what sustains their purpose-if they are not honored, they are depotentiated. This had been going on for so long that none of the gods could live in heaven any longer. The gods therefore sung out to the goddess, praising her for all things, hoping that she would help save them a fate of anonymity. When called, She came in her most beautiful aspect as Ambika. When Sumbha’s generals, Chanda and Munda, saw her, however, they immediately reported back to Sumbha of her splendor. They told him that she would be most worthy of his favors. Sumbha, being vain and wanting all things of beauty for his own, decided to have his minions ask for her hand in marriage on his behalf.
The generals then go to the goddess, but she tells them of a vow taken in her youth to only marry the one who can defeat her in battle. Upon hearing this from his emissaries, Sumbha is angry to think that a ''mere woman'' would thus suggest challenging him. He calls another of his generals, Dhumralochana (Smoky-Eyes), and tells him to take sixty thousand of his forces, grab the woman by the hair and return her to him. Dhumralochana goes forth to Chandika and at first tries to persuade her to come peacefully to Sumbha. She is not so inclined, and when Dhumralochana attempts to attack her, Chandika turns him and his battalions to ashes. The goddess is not easily had. Sumbha quickly hears about his general’s defeat. He is so filled with hatred and desire to overcome and possess the goddess that he next summons Chanda and Munda, his most trusted officers. These two, acting on their commander’s request head off with the rest of the demon entourage and find Chandika in the Himalayas. They immediately begin firing arrows at her, and with this, the goddess lets her rage be known. She turns black in anger and fury, and from her brow, Kali emerges. This emanation of the goddess is her most fierce and gruesome.
She is depicted as emaciated, with red eyes, protruding tongue set for lapping up blood, black countenance, and wild, long, disheveled hair. She carries multiple weapons, a skull-topped staff, and emits alternatively hideous shrieks and deafening roars. Her only clothing, if any, is a tiger-skin wrapped about her waist, and she wears as ornaments a garland of freshly severed human heads and dead infant earrings. Kali easily slays the generals and offers their heads to Chandika, who then names her Chamunda, or slayer of Chanda and Munda. Then, both Chandika and Kali set out to kill Sumbha and his remaining armies.
The gods at this point send their power, or shakti, to the aid of the goddesses. Together, these forces, along with the sakti of Chandika, called Aparajita, decimate all foes while those demons still able to do so flee the battleground in terror. One demon though, named Raktabija (Blood Seed, or Drops of Blood), comes forward again to fight. He has the special gift of being able to multiply wherever one of his drops of blood falls upon the earth. But Chandika and Chamunda team up to defeat him. Chandika lances the demon, weakening him, while Chamunda laps up his blood before it can reach the ground, thus ensuring his death. Now, only Sumbha and Nisumbha are left to challenge the goddesses. To make a long story short, however, devi withdraws Her emanations back into herself, kills Nisumbha first and renders Sumbha powerless, finally destroying him with one fatal pierce of her spear. The Goddess is yet again victorious.
Goddess Durga and a few of her various forms:
Goddess Durga is possibly one of the most powerful of all Indian Goddesses. She is worshipped in numerous forms and personas. The Goddess is seen by many of her devotees to be the supreme deity, as powerful as the supreme male deity. Although many Goddesses have consorts, Goddess Durga is independent. One of the many popular images of Goddess Durga is that of her slaying a demon. This is the buffalo demon Mahishasura who, upon being slayed by the Goddess, begged her forgiveness, and asked that he too be worshiped along with her. As a result, three of her forms often depict her slaying the demon, or with the demon at her feet.
Kali
According to Legend, Durga is a fierce Goddess and she created Goddess Kali to help her in her battles. As Kali, she is the destroyer of all evil. She is black, and wears a garland of skulls around her neck. Kali was created to destroy the demon Raktavera. If a drop of his blood would spill on the floor, another demon would sprout forth from this drop. Unknowingly, Goddess Kali attacked Raktavera, and soon she was surrounded by numerous demons or asuras. Kali then went on to swallow the asuras. She then pierced Raktavera with a spear, and drank his blood as it gushed out, until not a drop of blood was left. The blood-smeared image of Kali which is often seen in pictures and in temples depicts this scene.
Kaushiki and Chamunda
When two demon brothers, Shumbha and Nishumbha, forcibly drove the gods out of heaven, they prayed to the mother Goddess to help them. Parvati heard their prayers when bathing, and shed her skin to create the beautiful Kaushiki. Kaushiki was spotted by Chanda and Munda, two assistants of Shumbha and Nishumbha. Chanda and Munda were astounded by her beauty, and praised her to Shumbha and Nishumbha, who sent a message via Chanda and Munda that she marry them. A battle then assumed, and Kaushiki wiggled her eyebrows. Out of her third eye sprung an elderly black Goddess, who slayed Chanda and Munda and brought them to Kaushiki. Kaushiki was pleased at her work, and bestowed on her the name of Chamunda. Chamunda is a persona of Goddess Kali. While Goddess Kali is young and may be portrayed as beautiful, Chamunda is portrayed as old and frightening. Kaushiki then killed Nishumbha and when she defeated Shumbha, the other personas merged into Kaushiki, and she killed Shumbha.
Mahamaya
Durga is also equated with the Goddess Mahamaya, the creator of illusion and attachment. According to legend, Goddess Mahamaya once granted a boon to two demons of choice of death. These two demons then started disrupting the universe. Lord Vishnu tried to slay them, but could not as they were protected by the boon. He then approached Mahamaya for help. Using the power of illusion, she tricked the demons into helping Lord Vishnu to kill them. However, they laid forth the condition that he did so only where there be no earth, water, air, ether, mind, intelligence or false ego. Taking this opportunity, Lord Vishnu squashed the two demons on his thigh, since Lord Vishnu's was a transcendental body.
Markandeya Chandi or Durga-Saptashati
The 'Durga-Saptashati', or 'Markandeya Chandi', or 'Devi Maahaatmya' is a 700-verse poem ("Saptashati"), and a part of the Markandeya Puraana. It is auspicious to read the Devi Mahatmya Katha on or before Dassera, but the same can also be read any time.
The best technique for the achievement of 'Moksha' is worship. Moksha consists of the march of the human soul to its freedom. Freedom from what? It is freedom from desires that goad a man from birth to death and the dissatisfaction that results despite their fulfillment. The object of any form of worship is the attainment of Divine Grace. The Devi Mahatmya is a brilliant poem in Sanskrit, that describes the three stages of transformation of the obstacles that a human soul encounters in the journey towards freedom. What are these obstacles?
• Desire and anger.
• Restlessness of the mind.
• Ignorance.
The narration starts with the story of king Suratha. He is dejected because he has been defeated by his enemies. He lands up in the hermitage of Sage Medha. There he meets a merchant called Samadhi. Samadhi had not only lost his wealth but his own family, as the latter has turned him out. Both Samadhi and king Suratha are confounded at the fact that their mind keeps reverting to the very family and circumstances that have been the cause of so much sorrow in their lives. They both request Rishi Medha to throw light on this mysterious aspect of the mind. The Sage replies that this sorrow that they were experiencing was due to the veiling power of the Divine Mother which is called 'Maya'. This delusion emanates from the Lord Himself. It is through this power that the Lord creates, preserves and dissolves back everything into its Pure State. It is depicted in the Devi Mahatmya that Ma Durga, Ma Kali, MahaLaxmi and MahaSaraswati are not different. They are three separate aspects of the same 'Shakti' energy.
MADHU AND KAITABHA
Once Lord Vishnu withdrew His power of Maya and went into a Yoga Nidra (sleep). The whole Universe at that time was dissolved in the causal waters. Brahma, the creative power of the Lord had also gone to sleep. The earth had been broken up and was floating around in the causal waters, These pieces of dirt lodged themselves in the ears of the Lord. He swept these out with His fingers. That dirt, because of the Lord's touch sprang into life and became enormous demons 'Asuras'. They were called Madhu and Kaitabh. They attacked Brahma. The latter invoked the Divine Mother to wake Vishnu. The Lord took the Asuras and placed them on His thighs and cut their heads off. The Lord then created the earth with the fat (Medas) of the demons. That is the reason for the earth being called 'Medini' It is believed that the earth is situated in the thighs in the Cosmic Body of the Lord. It is interesting to note that the earth was created again from the fat of the same demons, Madhu and Kaitabh.
MAHISHAASURA
Mahishaasura was a buffalo-headed demon . He was granted a boon whereby he would be protected from anyone. Intoxicated by the above gift, he set out to conquer the world. Mahishaasura defeated Indra, the king of the gods. Indra implored Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh to help him. The Divine Trio amalgamated their shakti (power) and created Durga. Ma Durga fought Mahishaasura for 9 days and beheaded him on the 10th day. The 9 days are those of Navratri and the 10th victorious day is called Vijaydashami. A point to note is that as Mahishaasura was attacked, the latter would change its forms to elephant, bull, buffalo, until ultimately it is killed. The buffalo also represents the base animal instinct in a human being. Goddess Durga is powerful enough to control Evil that comes in disguise. She ends this tyranny and protects Her devotees. These transformations of Maahishaasura also denote the fickle mind and different desires that manifest in some manner or another. The Trident that the Goddess uses to destroy the Impure is a 3 pronged weapon which protects the mental, intellectual and physical aspects of life. Her sword cuts the evil of ignorance. Her bell drives away unholy thoughts and the twang of Her bow instills alertness in Her devotees.
DHOOMRALOCHANA AND CHANDA & MUNDA Ma then proceeded to annihilate Dhoomra- Lochana. The latter was a powerful general of the terrible Asura, Sumbha. The Goddess uttered the sound 'Hum' and the demon turned to ashes by the powerful vibration of the sound. The form of Ma Kali who emerged from the forehead of the angry face of Ambika (form of Durga) killed the Asuras Chanda and Munda. Chanda means a person who is short-tempered and Munda means a shaven-headed man. Together they imply the anger of a champion fighter. Because of this victory over Chanda and Munda , Kali Mata is known as Chamunda.
RAKTABEEJA
Hearing the news of the death of Chanda and Munda, the infuriated King Sumbha mobilised the Asuric forces and surrounded the Mother from all sides. Then, from the Great Devas (Spiritual Beings) emerged Powers which entered the Form of the Mother.
• From Lord Vishnu emerged the power of Vaishnavi, and subforms from His 'avatars' - Vaaraahi and Naarasimhi.
• From Brahma, emerged the power called Brahmaani.
• From Lord Shiva, emerged Maheshwari and Veer Bhadra.
• From Lord Shiva's son Kartikeya (or Kumar), emerged the power of Kaumari.
• From Indra emerged the power of Aindri.
Raktabeeja was the son of Krodhaavati, the sister of Shumbha and Nishumbha. Krodha means anger. Raktabeeja was an Asura who enjoyed a unique blessing. If a drop of blood were to drop from his body and touch the earth, then a demon of his might and form would spring from it. So if he were to get wounded during battle, the drops of blood would give rise to a thousand demons like himself. It is for the above reason that Kali spread her tongue so that she could suck Raktabeeja's blood before it touched the earth. Raktabeeja fell on the ground dead as his body was completely drained of blood.
SHUMBHA AND NISHUMBHA
Finally Sumbha and Nisumbha were slain by Devi Mahasaraswati. Mahasaraswati stands for knowledge and Wisdom. Knowledge and Wisdom are forever victorious over Ignorance and delusion. The first 3 days of 'Navratra' are dedicated to 'Ma Kali' to annihilate the enemies within The next 3 days are dedicated to 'Ma Laxmi' and the last 3 days are dedicated to Ma Saraswati. After 9 days of struggle, Ma Durga beheaded Mahishaasura on the 10th day. This victorious day is called Vijaydashmi. On this day Shri Ram killed the 10 headed Ravana. This day is known as Dassera. On the 10th day a Bonfire is lit to burn the Self arrogating Ego. So on this Vijaydashmi day or call it Dassera if you wish let us also sound the bugle of Victory over our struggle with our base nature tendencies. But how do we do that? Lord Krishna advises the Spiritual seeker in the Geeta, "Verily this divine Maya of mine made up of the three gunas is difficult to cross over. Those who take refuge in Me, they alone cross over it" ~ Bhagwat Geeta - VII-14.
The story below is from the net. I like to share this to everybody.
Mythological Stories of Godess Durga
Durga is a wrathful form of Parvati (consort of Shiva). She is represented with many arms with a weapon in each hand, shown sitting astride her mount, the lion, holding celestial weapons. Though popularly She is depicted with ten hands, but other of her popular forms present her with four, six, eight, sixteen, eighteen, and even, a thousand hands. Her face always remains calm and gentle. As Durga, the Goddess is ''beyond reach'' or ''inaccessible''. She is Devi Mahishasuramardini (Goddess Killer of the Buffalo Demon) who appears to her devotees as both saumya (gentle and mild) and ghora (frightful and terrible). According to Skanda Purana, she is none other than Parvati who takes on the role of warrior at Siva’s request to kill a giant demon. The demon cannot be killed by any of the gods because he is protected against the torments of any male by a special boon. Thus Parvati alone is able to kill him, and in doing so, the goddess is named Durga. The demon then takes the form of a buffalo, an apparition that again appears in the famous Devi-Mahatmya tale of the slaying of Mahishasura, the buffalo demon (mahisha means buffalo).
The story from 'Markandeya Chandi'
("Mahishasur-Vadh" or 'The Killing of Mahishasura'-episode from the book):
All the gods, headed by Lord Brahma, came over to Kailasha (a peak in the Himalayas), where Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva were busy in divine conversations. They narrated the whole story of how the demon-king Mahishasura dethroned Indra from the heaven. They added that, the demon is severely putting an end to the devotees of Vishnu and Shiva, by killing them cruelly. The Asura (demon) wants all in the universe to worship him as god, and not anyone else. First, There's no yajna (worship through divine fire in the altar) for long, and the gods of heaven are leading a life in disguise in the mountain caves, away from the clasp of Mahishasura. Hearing the story, the faces of Vishnu and Shiva turned red in wrath. Their faces glowed up. A sudden effulgent, fiery glow came out of their faces, and at a single point, the energy, the 'jyoti' (divine glow and aura), of all the gods coalesced and formed a gigantic mountain of fire. Soon, this 'jyotipunjah' (heap of 'jyoti') took the form of a young woman. She had the complexion of molten gold, and her 'jyoti' touched the heavens high above. Her face was from the light of Shiva. Her ten arms were from Lord Vishnu. Her legs were from Lord Brahma. Where as, her hair from Yama, her hips from the force of the goddess Earth, her breasts from the Moon-god, and so on. The dispossessed gods were drawn to Durga. They praised her and gave to her their divine gifts: Pinakadhrik (Shiva) gave her a trident - "Trishula". Lord Vishnu gave her a disc - "Chakra". Varuna, the god of water, gave her a conch - "Shankha", and the god of fire gave her a missile. From the wind, Vayu, she received arrows. The king of gods, Indra, gave her a thunder-bolt, and the gift of Indra's white-skinned elephant Airavata was a bell, or "ghanta". From Yama, the god of death, Durga received a rod - "Kaaldanda", and from the Ruler of Waters she was given a noose - "Paash". Durga received many other precious and magical treasures -- gifts of jewels, new clothing, and a garland of immortal lotuses for her head and breasts. Heaven's architect Vishwakarma gave her a bright axe and magic armor. God of the Himalayas, Himavat, gave her jewels and a magnificent lion to ride into battle as her mount ("vahan"). Now equipped with the fearsome weaponry of the gods and dressed in golden armor and jewels she set off, seated gracefully upon that lion. His thunderous roars shook the three worlds. Oceans boiled and surf poured overland. Continents were torn at their granite foundations as whole new chains of mountains rose, while older ranges crumbled, cracked, and gave way to dust in a thousand landslides. Seeing these cataclysms rippling in waves through all the three worlds, Mahishasura and his demon allies found their attention drawn from heaven to Earth. Though confident of their power and control in heaven, even the conquering demon host could not help being awestruck.
The demons had little time to admire the radiant visage of their new adversary, for soon she engaged them on the battlefield. First the army of Chikasura and then that of Chamara, Mahishasura's chief commanders were met. They were destroyed in a great battle. At first, confident of his overwhelming power, Mahishasura held in reserve his personal demon army. But seeing the setbacks being dealt his commander's troops on every side, it soon became obvious to Mahishasura that even his personal guard must be completely committed or he would surely be cast out of heaven. Or worse. Onto the battlefield swarmed that most elite and despised assemblage, with its gruesome hordes of infantry gleefully wielding their unearthly collection of dark iron axes and halberds, gorey bludgeoneers side by side with squadrons of demon-archers. Leading this evil array in its mad and desperate charge were thousands of charioteers and cavalry of horses and elephants. Surrounded by chants of praise, the blowing of horns the beating of drums and songs of worship Durga roamed the battlefield on her mighty lion. From her divine breath her army was constantly replenished with new warriors, each able, brave and resolute. With her bell she confused the demons, and many were dragged away bound and chained. With her divine sword she cut them to bits. So many demons and elephants and horses died that a river of blood flowed across the battlefield. The ground was left littered with the broken limbs and body parts of the defeated demon army. Durga was then attacked by the demon commanders, who were all killed immediately, and without mercy.
Mahisha, the king of the demons and usurper of the throne of heaven, was shocked and enraged by the disastrous events on the battlefield. He reverted to his own form, a buffalo, and charged about on the battlefield. He ran wildly at Durga's divine soldiers goring many, biting others and all the while thrashing with his long, whip-like tail. Durga's lion, angered by the presence of the demon-buffalo, attacked him. While he was thus engaged, Durga threw her noose around his neck. To escape this trap, Mahishasura discarded the buffalo and assumed the form of a lion. Durga beheaded the lion, and the demon escaped in the form of a man. Without hesitation, Durga dispatched the man with a flight of sharp arrows. Mahishasura and Lion Yet again the demon escaped, and this time took the formidable shape of a huge elephant, which battered Durga's lion with a tusk. With her sword Durga hacked at the tusk until it too was broken. Weakened, the demon reverted once more to his own form the wild buffalo. He retreated into the mountains where he hurled boulders at Durga with his horns. The Mother of the Universe drank the divine wine, gift of Kuvera. She said:
"Garja garja Kshanam moorha, madhu yavat pivamyaham |
Mayaa twayi hatehtraiva, garjishyantyashu devatah ||"
--- Take thou time to squall and scream as long as I don't finish up my divine wine, o, foolish Mahishasura! I will soon slain you (after I finish my drink), and the gods of heaven would burst in the joy of victory.
Immediately after this, the goddess jumped onto Mahishasura, pushing him to the ground with her left leg. She grasped his head in one hand, pierced him with her sharp spear held in another, and with yet another of her ten hands she wielded her bright sword, beheading him. At last he fell dead, and the scattered surviving remnants of his once invincible army fled in terror. The gods returned to heaven, and along with the sages of the earth, they sang praises to the Goddess Durga. Henceforth, and to this day, the Goddess Durga is worshipped by all the gods in heaven, and all human beings on earth. As he requested, Mahishasura is there too--frozen in his moment of final defeat, impaled by Durga's spear and prostrate beneath her left foot.
Glory of the Goddess
Once in the land of the gods, a huge and terrible battle raged for hundreds of years. The gods were finally defeated, kicked from their celestial abode by the terrible leader of the demons, Mahishasura. The gods, who had fought the battle and lost, appeared before the greatness of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, explaining their defeat. The major gods became furious, and from their faces ''came forth a great fiery splendor, and also from the...bodies of all the gods, Indra and others...and it congealed into a single form''.
Quote Thomas Coburn’s translation of the Devi-Mahatmya at this point will give a feel for the power of the tale of Durga’s appearance: A stupendously fiery mass like a flaming mountain the gods saw there filling the firmament with flames. That matchless splendor, born from the bodies of all the gods, came together in a single place, pervading all the worlds with its lustre, and it became a woman...Devi bellowed aloud with laughter over and over again. The entire atmosphere was filled with her terrible noise, and from that deafening, ear-shattering noise a great echo arose. All the worlds quaked, and the oceans shook. The earth trembled, and the mountains tottered. The gods, utterly delighted, cried, "Victory!" to the one who rides on a lion.
The Stories of Sati and Parvati
What appeals to me the most about Hinduism is that one is allowed to doubt and question. In fact you will be surprised to learn that most of our scriptures are entirely conversations And discussions between Master and disciple. The Bhagavad Geeta would not have been a Scripture of such excellence, in terms of knowledge and wisdom if, Arjun would not have challenged and questioned and questioned Krishna’s word over and over again. It is only in the last Chapter that Arjun asserted: ‘Nashto Mohaa...’ Arjun stated that his delusion was destroyed through the Lord’s Grace, He claimed that his doubts were now gone and he professed that he would now act according to Krishna’s advice. Note, that not once did Krishna express His displeasure at Arjuna’s constant arguments. The Ramayan starts with Sati , the consort of Lord Shiva wondering and questioning. She said to Shiva that she could not agree that Shri Ram was the Lord God Himself in whom Shiva had such intrinsic faith. How could Shri Ram be so disconsolate, when he lost Seeta and could not find her? How could he tearfully ask every tree and shrub where Seeta was? Sati scoffed and wondered aloud. Though Shiva explained that that was the (Leela) sport of the Lord, Sati wanted to test it out for herself. So Sati impersonated Seeta and planted herself near Shri Ram. The latter addressed her as ‘Ma’ Sati had not managed to deceive the Lord Shri Ram. When Shiva asked Sati about her whereabouts, she lied to him.
It is said that Shiva, when he learnt that she had impersonated Devi Seeta, could not accept her as a sexual mate. Shiva had nothing against the fact that she doubted or that she questioned. He was against her impersonation. The above is what we are mostly guilty of. We pretend to be that which we are not. That leads to lies, to those who we love And who have so much trust in us. We not only deceive others but ourselves. It is the above trespass that makes us incarnate again for another try. That is the point that I am trying to make. The above is one of the reasons why Sati had to return as Parvati in her next incarnation. As Parvati, she again showed a desire to learn about the feats and greatness Of Shri Ram. Shiva, this time round was happy to comply with Parvati’s Divine Desire. That is how the Great Narration of the Ramayan began.
Once again there was a Divine Plan in action. One more time for the benefit of Humanity. This story appears in the Shiva Puraanam:-
Sati’s father, King Daksha performed severe penance for 3000 years. The pleased goddess manifested before him and promised to take birth as his daughter Herself. When Sati or Gauri as she was named, grew up, she performed intense penance to attain Shiva as her husband. Daksha was not very happy at Sati’s choice of husband. So Daksha did not invite Shiva and Gauri (Sati) to a great Yagna (Spiritual sacrifice) that he was about to perform. Sati, noting that all the celestial vehicles were headed towards her father’s place, felt peeved at the fact that she had received no invitation. She insisted on attending the function anyway, despite the disapproval of Shiva. When Sati entered her parental palace, her father Daksha ignored her. To add insult to injury, Daksha proclaimed that his other daughters and their husbands were finer and more distinguished than Sati and Shiva and as such were more worthy of honour than Sati and Shiva. The Goddess Sati approached the Sadas (The area of the site of sacrifice where the main priests sit.) She thundered: "Let all those who sit here give ear to the Mistress of the Universe. My husband, the Lord of Lords has been insulted for no good reason. No fault exists in Him. It is claimed in the Scriptures that those who steal knowledge, those who betray a Teacher and those who defile the Lord are great sinners and ought to be punished".
After uttering these words, the offended Goddess threw herself in the glowing sacred fire. Daksha’s Yagna had been desecrated. A celebration turned into a funeral. The invitees disappeared afraid that they could be avenged. Shiva was enraged on learning that his wife had sacrificed herself. He created a being called Veerbhadra by tearing a lock of his hair. Mighty Veerbhadra tore off King Daksha’s head and tossed it into the same sacrificial fire. However because it was proclaimed that the Yagna should not be left incomplete, the head of a sacrificial goat was placed on Daksha. Lord Shiva was very sad at the death of Sati. He began to wander in the three nether worlds carrying the dead body of Sati in his arms. So violent was his stride that the universe began to tremble and there was suffering everywhere. In order to break this attachment of Shiva and to save the universe, Vishnu shot some arrows from his bow and cut the corpse of Sati into fifty one pieces. The pieces fell in 51 different parts of the country. These are known as Shakti Pithas.
And so the Great Goddess is born, ready to fight the enemies of the gods. In her battle with the demons, she easily wins, and must finally confront the general, Mahisha himself. For this battle she is called Chandika, ''The Violent and Impetuous One'', in part because Mahisha so infuriates her by changing form every time she attempts to kill him. The goddess charges and he changes into a lion. She cuts off his head, and he emerges from that body as a man, armed for battle. She kills him, and an elephant appears in his place. She chops off the trunk, and the buffalo is once again before her. Needing something to channel her focus, Chandika drinks her fill of wine and becomes intoxicated. She laughs at Mahisha as he roars and throws mountains at her during her break. She yells at him that soon it will be the gods who are roaring over his death and defeat. Downing her last gulp, the goddess leaps across the battlefield at Mahisha, stands upon his neck to stop him from changing into any other form, pierces him with her spear and chops off his head. She is indeed victorious with this manoeuver, and the gods sing her praise. She so loves their devotion that she tells them she will come again to their aid if they merely call. With this boon, she disappears.
The most detailed and glorious tale of Durga’s battlefield prowess comes when the gods, who remember her earlier promise, again call upon her. This time, She is asked to defeat the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha (two brothers). These demons had somehow managed to amass so much power that they deprived the gods of sacrificial offerings for a long time. This caused the gods tremendous stress because the offerings are what sustains their purpose-if they are not honored, they are depotentiated. This had been going on for so long that none of the gods could live in heaven any longer. The gods therefore sung out to the goddess, praising her for all things, hoping that she would help save them a fate of anonymity. When called, She came in her most beautiful aspect as Ambika. When Sumbha’s generals, Chanda and Munda, saw her, however, they immediately reported back to Sumbha of her splendor. They told him that she would be most worthy of his favors. Sumbha, being vain and wanting all things of beauty for his own, decided to have his minions ask for her hand in marriage on his behalf.
The generals then go to the goddess, but she tells them of a vow taken in her youth to only marry the one who can defeat her in battle. Upon hearing this from his emissaries, Sumbha is angry to think that a ''mere woman'' would thus suggest challenging him. He calls another of his generals, Dhumralochana (Smoky-Eyes), and tells him to take sixty thousand of his forces, grab the woman by the hair and return her to him. Dhumralochana goes forth to Chandika and at first tries to persuade her to come peacefully to Sumbha. She is not so inclined, and when Dhumralochana attempts to attack her, Chandika turns him and his battalions to ashes. The goddess is not easily had. Sumbha quickly hears about his general’s defeat. He is so filled with hatred and desire to overcome and possess the goddess that he next summons Chanda and Munda, his most trusted officers. These two, acting on their commander’s request head off with the rest of the demon entourage and find Chandika in the Himalayas. They immediately begin firing arrows at her, and with this, the goddess lets her rage be known. She turns black in anger and fury, and from her brow, Kali emerges. This emanation of the goddess is her most fierce and gruesome.
She is depicted as emaciated, with red eyes, protruding tongue set for lapping up blood, black countenance, and wild, long, disheveled hair. She carries multiple weapons, a skull-topped staff, and emits alternatively hideous shrieks and deafening roars. Her only clothing, if any, is a tiger-skin wrapped about her waist, and she wears as ornaments a garland of freshly severed human heads and dead infant earrings. Kali easily slays the generals and offers their heads to Chandika, who then names her Chamunda, or slayer of Chanda and Munda. Then, both Chandika and Kali set out to kill Sumbha and his remaining armies.
The gods at this point send their power, or shakti, to the aid of the goddesses. Together, these forces, along with the sakti of Chandika, called Aparajita, decimate all foes while those demons still able to do so flee the battleground in terror. One demon though, named Raktabija (Blood Seed, or Drops of Blood), comes forward again to fight. He has the special gift of being able to multiply wherever one of his drops of blood falls upon the earth. But Chandika and Chamunda team up to defeat him. Chandika lances the demon, weakening him, while Chamunda laps up his blood before it can reach the ground, thus ensuring his death. Now, only Sumbha and Nisumbha are left to challenge the goddesses. To make a long story short, however, devi withdraws Her emanations back into herself, kills Nisumbha first and renders Sumbha powerless, finally destroying him with one fatal pierce of her spear. The Goddess is yet again victorious.
Goddess Durga and a few of her various forms:
Goddess Durga is possibly one of the most powerful of all Indian Goddesses. She is worshipped in numerous forms and personas. The Goddess is seen by many of her devotees to be the supreme deity, as powerful as the supreme male deity. Although many Goddesses have consorts, Goddess Durga is independent. One of the many popular images of Goddess Durga is that of her slaying a demon. This is the buffalo demon Mahishasura who, upon being slayed by the Goddess, begged her forgiveness, and asked that he too be worshiped along with her. As a result, three of her forms often depict her slaying the demon, or with the demon at her feet.
Kali
According to Legend, Durga is a fierce Goddess and she created Goddess Kali to help her in her battles. As Kali, she is the destroyer of all evil. She is black, and wears a garland of skulls around her neck. Kali was created to destroy the demon Raktavera. If a drop of his blood would spill on the floor, another demon would sprout forth from this drop. Unknowingly, Goddess Kali attacked Raktavera, and soon she was surrounded by numerous demons or asuras. Kali then went on to swallow the asuras. She then pierced Raktavera with a spear, and drank his blood as it gushed out, until not a drop of blood was left. The blood-smeared image of Kali which is often seen in pictures and in temples depicts this scene.
Kaushiki and Chamunda
When two demon brothers, Shumbha and Nishumbha, forcibly drove the gods out of heaven, they prayed to the mother Goddess to help them. Parvati heard their prayers when bathing, and shed her skin to create the beautiful Kaushiki. Kaushiki was spotted by Chanda and Munda, two assistants of Shumbha and Nishumbha. Chanda and Munda were astounded by her beauty, and praised her to Shumbha and Nishumbha, who sent a message via Chanda and Munda that she marry them. A battle then assumed, and Kaushiki wiggled her eyebrows. Out of her third eye sprung an elderly black Goddess, who slayed Chanda and Munda and brought them to Kaushiki. Kaushiki was pleased at her work, and bestowed on her the name of Chamunda. Chamunda is a persona of Goddess Kali. While Goddess Kali is young and may be portrayed as beautiful, Chamunda is portrayed as old and frightening. Kaushiki then killed Nishumbha and when she defeated Shumbha, the other personas merged into Kaushiki, and she killed Shumbha.
Mahamaya
Durga is also equated with the Goddess Mahamaya, the creator of illusion and attachment. According to legend, Goddess Mahamaya once granted a boon to two demons of choice of death. These two demons then started disrupting the universe. Lord Vishnu tried to slay them, but could not as they were protected by the boon. He then approached Mahamaya for help. Using the power of illusion, she tricked the demons into helping Lord Vishnu to kill them. However, they laid forth the condition that he did so only where there be no earth, water, air, ether, mind, intelligence or false ego. Taking this opportunity, Lord Vishnu squashed the two demons on his thigh, since Lord Vishnu's was a transcendental body.
Markandeya Chandi or Durga-Saptashati
The 'Durga-Saptashati', or 'Markandeya Chandi', or 'Devi Maahaatmya' is a 700-verse poem ("Saptashati"), and a part of the Markandeya Puraana. It is auspicious to read the Devi Mahatmya Katha on or before Dassera, but the same can also be read any time.
The best technique for the achievement of 'Moksha' is worship. Moksha consists of the march of the human soul to its freedom. Freedom from what? It is freedom from desires that goad a man from birth to death and the dissatisfaction that results despite their fulfillment. The object of any form of worship is the attainment of Divine Grace. The Devi Mahatmya is a brilliant poem in Sanskrit, that describes the three stages of transformation of the obstacles that a human soul encounters in the journey towards freedom. What are these obstacles?
• Desire and anger.
• Restlessness of the mind.
• Ignorance.
The narration starts with the story of king Suratha. He is dejected because he has been defeated by his enemies. He lands up in the hermitage of Sage Medha. There he meets a merchant called Samadhi. Samadhi had not only lost his wealth but his own family, as the latter has turned him out. Both Samadhi and king Suratha are confounded at the fact that their mind keeps reverting to the very family and circumstances that have been the cause of so much sorrow in their lives. They both request Rishi Medha to throw light on this mysterious aspect of the mind. The Sage replies that this sorrow that they were experiencing was due to the veiling power of the Divine Mother which is called 'Maya'. This delusion emanates from the Lord Himself. It is through this power that the Lord creates, preserves and dissolves back everything into its Pure State. It is depicted in the Devi Mahatmya that Ma Durga, Ma Kali, MahaLaxmi and MahaSaraswati are not different. They are three separate aspects of the same 'Shakti' energy.
MADHU AND KAITABHA
Once Lord Vishnu withdrew His power of Maya and went into a Yoga Nidra (sleep). The whole Universe at that time was dissolved in the causal waters. Brahma, the creative power of the Lord had also gone to sleep. The earth had been broken up and was floating around in the causal waters, These pieces of dirt lodged themselves in the ears of the Lord. He swept these out with His fingers. That dirt, because of the Lord's touch sprang into life and became enormous demons 'Asuras'. They were called Madhu and Kaitabh. They attacked Brahma. The latter invoked the Divine Mother to wake Vishnu. The Lord took the Asuras and placed them on His thighs and cut their heads off. The Lord then created the earth with the fat (Medas) of the demons. That is the reason for the earth being called 'Medini' It is believed that the earth is situated in the thighs in the Cosmic Body of the Lord. It is interesting to note that the earth was created again from the fat of the same demons, Madhu and Kaitabh.
MAHISHAASURA
Mahishaasura was a buffalo-headed demon . He was granted a boon whereby he would be protected from anyone. Intoxicated by the above gift, he set out to conquer the world. Mahishaasura defeated Indra, the king of the gods. Indra implored Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh to help him. The Divine Trio amalgamated their shakti (power) and created Durga. Ma Durga fought Mahishaasura for 9 days and beheaded him on the 10th day. The 9 days are those of Navratri and the 10th victorious day is called Vijaydashami. A point to note is that as Mahishaasura was attacked, the latter would change its forms to elephant, bull, buffalo, until ultimately it is killed. The buffalo also represents the base animal instinct in a human being. Goddess Durga is powerful enough to control Evil that comes in disguise. She ends this tyranny and protects Her devotees. These transformations of Maahishaasura also denote the fickle mind and different desires that manifest in some manner or another. The Trident that the Goddess uses to destroy the Impure is a 3 pronged weapon which protects the mental, intellectual and physical aspects of life. Her sword cuts the evil of ignorance. Her bell drives away unholy thoughts and the twang of Her bow instills alertness in Her devotees.
DHOOMRALOCHANA AND CHANDA & MUNDA Ma then proceeded to annihilate Dhoomra- Lochana. The latter was a powerful general of the terrible Asura, Sumbha. The Goddess uttered the sound 'Hum' and the demon turned to ashes by the powerful vibration of the sound. The form of Ma Kali who emerged from the forehead of the angry face of Ambika (form of Durga) killed the Asuras Chanda and Munda. Chanda means a person who is short-tempered and Munda means a shaven-headed man. Together they imply the anger of a champion fighter. Because of this victory over Chanda and Munda , Kali Mata is known as Chamunda.
RAKTABEEJA
Hearing the news of the death of Chanda and Munda, the infuriated King Sumbha mobilised the Asuric forces and surrounded the Mother from all sides. Then, from the Great Devas (Spiritual Beings) emerged Powers which entered the Form of the Mother.
• From Lord Vishnu emerged the power of Vaishnavi, and subforms from His 'avatars' - Vaaraahi and Naarasimhi.
• From Brahma, emerged the power called Brahmaani.
• From Lord Shiva, emerged Maheshwari and Veer Bhadra.
• From Lord Shiva's son Kartikeya (or Kumar), emerged the power of Kaumari.
• From Indra emerged the power of Aindri.
Raktabeeja was the son of Krodhaavati, the sister of Shumbha and Nishumbha. Krodha means anger. Raktabeeja was an Asura who enjoyed a unique blessing. If a drop of blood were to drop from his body and touch the earth, then a demon of his might and form would spring from it. So if he were to get wounded during battle, the drops of blood would give rise to a thousand demons like himself. It is for the above reason that Kali spread her tongue so that she could suck Raktabeeja's blood before it touched the earth. Raktabeeja fell on the ground dead as his body was completely drained of blood.
SHUMBHA AND NISHUMBHA
Finally Sumbha and Nisumbha were slain by Devi Mahasaraswati. Mahasaraswati stands for knowledge and Wisdom. Knowledge and Wisdom are forever victorious over Ignorance and delusion. The first 3 days of 'Navratra' are dedicated to 'Ma Kali' to annihilate the enemies within The next 3 days are dedicated to 'Ma Laxmi' and the last 3 days are dedicated to Ma Saraswati. After 9 days of struggle, Ma Durga beheaded Mahishaasura on the 10th day. This victorious day is called Vijaydashmi. On this day Shri Ram killed the 10 headed Ravana. This day is known as Dassera. On the 10th day a Bonfire is lit to burn the Self arrogating Ego. So on this Vijaydashmi day or call it Dassera if you wish let us also sound the bugle of Victory over our struggle with our base nature tendencies. But how do we do that? Lord Krishna advises the Spiritual seeker in the Geeta, "Verily this divine Maya of mine made up of the three gunas is difficult to cross over. Those who take refuge in Me, they alone cross over it" ~ Bhagwat Geeta - VII-14.
MYSORE DUSSERA
MYSORE DUSSERA
YESHTONDHU SUNDARA
There is a kannada song on mysore dussera enhancing about the dussera festival.
In south of India, Mysore is famous for Dussera. Mysore palace is very beautiful and gorgeous. Palace is enlightened with full of lights. There is a custom followed by Wodeyar family for several generations offering prayers to goddess Durga. Its special during dussera. Durga is worshipped grandly at Chamundi hills for 9 days .
Navaratri is a festival conducted for 9 days. These nine days Goddesses Durga is worshipped in different forms. First three days Goddess durga is worshipped to ward off our negatives, miseries of life and to give strength and courage, next three days Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for wealth prosperity and last three days Goddess Saraswathi is worshipped for knowledge.
Various cultural programs are performed during these nine days of festival. The programs involved are classical music, classical dance, drama, folk song and dance along with sports activities like wrestling, marathon.
Tenth day is called Vijayadashami day On this day the royal family of Mysore take Idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed on golden Howda for procession on Elephant . This procession is called aane savari.
Ramayan story is related to dussera that Lord Rama performed navaratri durga pooja and killed Ravana and the victory is celebrated on 10th day which is vijayadashami . The other story is about Mahabharatha where Pandavas did nine days durga pooja and on 10th day they started their journey for the battle fighting against injustice caused to them by Kauravas. These are mythological stories on Navaratri.
Navaratri is also a public festival like Ganesh Chathurthi. Navaratri is celebrated through out India . Especially in West Bengal its called Durga Pooja, North India its Ram lila, South its Navaratri dussera. Every region the names are different but worshipping Goddesses Durga is same and she is also form of Lakshmi and Saraswathi as well.
In South India, Goddess is called in 9 names Durga, Badrakali, Amba or Jagadamba, Annapurna, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandika or Chandi, Lalitha, Bhavani and Mookambika.
In North India, West Bengal different names follows:
Goddess Durga is called by various names on each day of the Navaratri festival
Day 1 Shaila Putri
Day 2 Brahmacharini
Day 3 Chandraghanta
Day 4 Kooshmanda
Day 5 Scandamaata
Day 6 Kaatyayini
Day 7 Kaalaraatri
Day 8 Mahagowri
Day 9 Siddhidaatri
The various kinds of Poojas conducted during Navaratri are:
- Sharada Pooja
- Pustaka Pooja
- Lalitapanchami Vrata
- Durga Pooja
- Durgadeeta Namaskara
- Chandika Parayana
- Navadurga Poojane
- Durga Havana
- Chandika Havana
- Laxminarayana Hradaya Parayana
- Kumkumarchane
- Ayudha Pooja
- Yantra Vaahana Pooja
Navaratri Celebrations and Significance :
Navaratri is festival of Dolls (Gombe habba or Bomma Golu). Dolls are arranged in a row and kept in 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 steps. Dolls are arranged on mahalaya amavasya day evening. First step is always with little place for kalasha, ganesha, Goddess
Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswathi. Second step and following steps are arranged with other mythological Gods theme like Rama and family, Dashaavtar, Aandal, Ashtalakshmi, various Krishna forms, Shettrappa and shettramma with shop, Vadya group, Marriage troop and many more. Marapachi bombe is kept which is a pair of bride and groom kept for fertility. Various forms of dolls and toys are arranged . It could be Handmade dolls, soft toys, porcelain toys, wooden dolls, plastic dolls, cloth toys etc. Golu is not complete without park or zoo or lake or temple etc kept beside the Golu steps.
Each house the dolls are arranged in their own style with different theme story. Kids are excited to do the floor job by creating park, zoo, lake, temple area etc.
Starting from the first day to ninth day of navaratri, pooja is performed morning and evening . Prayers are archane of lord Ganesha, durga, lakshmi, saraswathi and lalitha ashtothara. Special prayer is to read Durga chalisa morning and evening for nine days. Naivedyam is done in morning with sweet dish and at evening usli or sundal. Mangalarthi is done at last. Singing God songs at evening. Ladies and children are invited home and given kumkuma tambula with prasada all nine days.
At late evening kempu neer (red water) arthi is done for dolls.
Saraswathi pooja is done on moola nakshatra day by keeping books and pen for knowledge and wisdom.
Durgashtami day which is eighth day of Navaratri is celebrated very auspiciously by reading devi purana and performing pooja for Goddess Durga. On this day eight kanya girls and 1 boy are invited. Praying them in form of Goddess and offering them with Sweet pongal, Sajjige, Boiled black chick peas usli, fruits etc.
Durga is worshipped in the form of Godess Lakshmi on this day.
Navami day is the ninth day of Navaratri which is Ayudha pooja where all the tools are kept for pooja. Apart from this all the electrical appliances and car also is considered as tools. Pooja is done for all these items. This day is for ma durga for tools or weapons.
Vijayadashami is tenth day of Navaratri. This day pooja is performed. Later kalasha is moved little north side, One doll is made slept which means navaratri is celebrated successfully this year and welcoming the dolls next year. Books are read by children and adults as Vidya arambham on vijayadashami day. Anything new can be started on this day as it is very auspicious. Finally the dolls are removed and packed neatly the next day.
Navaratri is celebration of togetherness . Its ladies and children festival. Very few people celebrate and follow. These days most of them are employed and have no time for all these. They all have faith in God but no time to follow in metro cities or abroad. Modern trend of celebration is giving kukum and tambula for any festival.
I celebrate every year. Its very beautiful and peaceful after the prayers. Its fun for kids.
LET MAA DURGA BLESS US ALL
Sunday, October 21, 2007
PLANTAIN SLICES
Raw Plantain 2 no.s sliced
Ginger 1 inch crushed
Garlic pods 5 crushed
Mustard 1 tsp
Turmeric powder 1/4 tspn
Red chilli powder 2 tspn
coriander powder 2 tspn
oil 3 tbspn
Handful curry leaves
salt
1.Heat kadai with oil , add mustard, crushed ginger and garlic, curry leaves.
2.Add sliced raw plantains and fry in low flame for 5 minutes.
3.Add turmeric, chilli, coriander powder and salt and fry for 2 minutes.
4.Add 1/2 glass boiled water to the sliced plantain and cook for 5 - 8 minutes in medium flame.
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