Why Camphor is placed on Bhagwan Venkateshawara’s Chin

Why Camphor is placed on Bhagwan Venkateshawara’s Chin

There is a beautiful story of why Camphor is placed on Venkateswara Swamy's chin in Tirumala.

Once, when Sri Ramanujacharya was discussing serving Venkateshwara Swamy, one of his disciples Ananthalwar, came forward to take responsibility for the Tirumala temple. Ananthalwar was a great devotee of Venkateswara Swamy.

Ananthalwar, reaching Tirumala with his wife did Pushpabhishek daily, and for that, he decided to grow a flower garden. Together with his wife, Ananthalwar began digging wells to water his flower garden. Venkateshwara Swamy decided to help them & appeared as a small boy.

The boy started to help his wife in the process of cleaning mud. When Ananthalwar saw the boy helping his wife, he got angry and ordered him to go away. But the boy didn’t listen to him and continued helping his wife.

Ananthalwar got angry & threw his crowbar at the kid which hit the child's chin & the boy rushed into Srivaari temple & disappeared. After finishing the garden work, Ananthalwar went to the temple.

When Ananthalwar came into the temple he saw Venkateswara Swamy's chin bleeding. Ananthalwar realized it was Venkateswara who came in disguise as that boy and felt very sad about what he did to his bhagwan.

He immediately rubbed Swamy's chin with Camphor to stop the bleeding and asked for forgiveness

Ananthalwar heard a voice saying

“From today onwards, camphor on my chin will be a part of my Alankara, without which my alankar will be incomplete"

It is from that day the practice of keeping camphor in Venkateswara Swamy's chin has been done by priests. The crowbar is still on the wall of Srivaari temple in Tirumala.

 

Significance of Shivratri

 

Significance of Shivratri

The Festival of Mahashivaratri is the most important festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival has been accorded a lot of significance in Hindu Puranas. It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha.

Significance of Shivaratri in Hinduism :

The Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism. According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on the Shivratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases Lord Shiva the most. This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva himself when his consort Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.

Even to date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with care and devotion. They observe day and night fast and give sacred baths to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water, etc. Hindus consider it extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri as it is believed that worship of Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity absolves a devotee of past sins. The devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shankar and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksha or salvation.

Significance of Shivaratri for Women :

Mahashivratri Festival is also considered to be an extremely significant festival by women. Married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ - one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life. Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband.

Marriage of Shiva and Shakti :

The legend of the marriage of Shiva and Shakti is one the most important legends related to the festival of Mahashivaratri. The story tells us how Lord Shiva got married a second time to Shakti, his divine consort. According to the legend of Shiva and Shakti, the day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati is celebrated as Shivaratri - the Night of Lord Shiva.

The Legend goes that once Lord Shiva and his wife Sati or Shakti were returning from sage Agastya’s ashram after listening to Ram Katha or the story of Ram. On their way through a forest, Shiva saw Lord Rama searching for his wife Sita who had been kidnapped by Ravana, the King of Lanka. Lord Shiva bowed his head in reverence to Lord Rama. Sati was surprised by Lord Shiva’s behavior and inquired why he was paying obeisance to a mere mortal. Shiva informed Sati that Rama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Sati, however, was not satisfied with the reply and Lord asked her to go and verify the truth for herself.

Using her power to change forms, Sati took the form of Sita appeared before Rama. Lord Rama immediately recognized the true identity of the Goddess and asked, "Devi, why are you alone, where's Shiva?" At this, Sati realized the truth about Lord Ram. But, Sita was like a mother to Lord Shiva, and since Sati took the form of Sita her status had changed. From that time, Shiva detached himself from her as a wife. Sati was sad with the change of attitude of Lord Shiva but she stayed on at Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva.

Later, Sati’s father Daksha organized a yagna, but did not invite Sati or Shiva as he had an altercation with Shiva in the court of Brahma. But, Sati who wanted to attend the Yagna, went even though Lord Shiva did not appreciate the idea. To her great anguish, Daksha ignored her presence and did not even offer Prasad for Shiva. Sati felt humiliated and was struck with profound grief. She jumped into the yagna fire and immolated herself.

Lord Shiva became extremely furious when he heard the news of Sati’s immolation. Carrying the body of Sati, Shiva began to perform Rudra Tandava or the dance of destruction and wiped out the kingdom of Daksha. Everybody was terrified as Shiva’s Tandava had the power to destroy the entire universe. In order to calm Lord Shiva, Vishnu severed Sati's body into 12 pieces and threw them on earth. It is said that wherever the pieces of Shakti’s body fell, there emerged a Shakti Peetha, including the Kamaroopa Kamakhya in Assam and the Vindhyavasini in UP.

Lord Siva was now alone undertook rigorous penance and retired to the Himalayas. Sati took a re-birth as Parvati in the family of God Himalaya. She performed penance to break Shiva’s meditation and win his attention. It is said that Parvati, who found it hard to break Shiva’s meditation sought the help of Kamadeva - the God of Love and Passion. Kamadeva asked Parvati to dance in front of Shiva. When Parvati danced, Kamadeva shot his arrow of passion at Shiva breaking his penance. Shiva became extremely infuriated and opened his third eye that reduced Kamadeva to ashes. It was only after Kamadeva’s wife Rati’s pleading that Lord Shiva agreed to revive Kamadeva.

Later, Parvati undertook severe penance to win over Shiva. Through her devotion and persuasion by sages devas, Parvati, also known as Uma, was finally able to lure Shiva into marriage and away from asceticism. Their marriage was solemnized a day before Amavasya in the month of Phalgun. This day of union of God Shiva and Parvati is celebrated as Mahashivratri every year.

Another Version of the Legend According to another version of the legend, Goddess Parvati performed tapas and prayers on the auspicious moonless night of Shivaratri to ward off any evil that may befall her husband. Since then, womenfolk began the custom of praying for the well-being of their husbands and sons on Shivaratri day. Unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

Samudra Manthan :

This very popular Shivaratri legend from Puranas explains why people stay awake all night on Shivaratri. Besides, it also tells us why Lord Shiva is also known as Neelakantha.

Legend Behind Samudra Manthan:

Once Indra - the King of Gods, while riding on an elephant came across Durvasa Muni who offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the garland but put it on the trunk of the elephant. The elephant was irritated by the smell and it threw the garland on the floor. This enraged the sage as the garland was a dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was to be treated as Prasada. Durvasa Muni cursed Indra and all devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.

In battles that followed this incident, Devas were defeated and asuras (demons) led by Bali gained control of the universe. Devas sought help from Lord Vishnu who advised them to treat asuras in a diplomatic manner. Devas formed an alliance with asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality and to share it among them. Lord Vishu told Devas that we would arrange that they alone obtain the nectar.

The Churning of the Ocean:

The churning of the milk - the ocean was an elaborate process. Mount Mandara was used as a churning rod and Vasuki, the King of Serpents, became the churning rope. Lord Vishnu himself had to intercede in so many ways to aid the Devas. All kinds of herbs were cast into the ocean and many great beings and objects were produced from the ocean and were divided between asuras and gods. It is said that the following things emerged from the Samudra Manthan:

Sura or Varuni - Goddess and creator of wine

Apsaras - various divine nymphs

Kaustubha - a rare diamond said to be the most valuable jewel in the world

Uchhaishravas - the divine white horse

Kalpavriksha - the wish-granting tree

Kamadhenu - the wish-fulfilling cow

Airavata - the white elephant

Lakshmi - the Goddess of Fortune and Wealth. Vishnu and Her were reunited after having been separated for many ages.

Haalaa-Hala - the Poison:

During the Sagar Manthan by the gods and demons, haalaa-hala, a pot of poison also came out of the ocean. This terrified the Gods and demons as the poison was so toxic that its effects would have wiped out the entire creation. On the advice of Lord Vishnu, Gods approached Lord Shiva for help and protection as only he could swallow it without being affected. On the request of gods and out of compassion for living beings, Lord Shiva drank the poison. However, Parvati - Lord Shiva’s consort pressed his neck so that the poison does not reach his stomach. Thus, it stayed in his throat neither going up nor going down and Shiva remained unharmed. The poison was so potent that it changed the color of Lord Mahadeva’s neck to blue. For this reason, Lord Shiva is also called Neelakantha (the blue-necked one) where ‘Neela’ means blue and ‘Kantha’ means neck or throat.

As part of the therapy, doctors advised gods to keep Lord Shiva awake during the night. Thus, Gods kept a vigil in contemplation of Lord Shiva. To amuse Shiva and to keep him awake, the gods took turns performing various dances and playing music. As the day broke out, Lord Shiva, pleased with their devotion blessed them all. Shivaratri is the celebration of this event by which Shiva saved the world. Since then, on this day and night - devotees fast, keep vigil, sing glories of Lord and meditate.

Churning Out Divine Nectar:

At last, Dhanvantari - the Divine Physician appeared with a pot of Amrita (nectar of immortality) in his skillful hands. Fierce fighting ensued between devas and asuras for the nectar. To protect the nectar from asuras, devas hid the pot of nectar at four places on the earth - Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of these places, a drop of the nectar spilled from the pot and since then, it is believed that these places acquired mystical power. Grand Kumbh Mela is celebrated at four places every 12 years for this reason.

Eventually, Lord Vishnu took the form of a beautiful woman, Mohini. While her beauty bewildered the asuras, Mohini seized the nectar and returned it to the Devas, who drank it immediately...

Raja Mordhwaj

 

राजा मोरध्वज की कथा...दो मिनट की ये कहानी रौंगटे खड़े कर देगी..अंत तक जरुर पढ़े!

महाभारत युद्ध की समाप्ति के बाद अर्जुन को वहम हो गया कि, वो श्रीकृष्ण के सर्वश्रेष्ठ भक्त है, अर्जुन सोचते की कन्हैया ने मेरा रथ चलाया, मेरे साथ रहे इसलिए में भगवान का सर्वश्रेष्ठ भक्त हूँ। अर्जुन को क्या पता था की वो केवल भगवान के धर्म की स्थापना का जरिया था। फिर भगवान ने उसका गर्व तोड़ने के लिए उसे एक परीक्षा का गवाह बनाने के लिए अपने साथ ले गए।

श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुन ने जोगियों का वेश बनाया और वन से एक शेर पकड़ा और पहुँच जाते है भगवान विष्णु के परम-भक्त राजा मोरध्वज के द्वार पर। राजा मोरध्वज बहुत ही दानी और आवभगत वाले थे अपने दर पे आये किसी को भी वो खाली हाथ और बिना भोज के जाने नहीं देते थे।

महाभारत युद्ध की समाप्ति के बाद अर्जुन को वहम हो गया कि, वो श्रीकृष्ण के सर्वश्रेष्ठ भक्त है, अर्जुन सोचते की कन्हैया ने मेरा रथ चलाया, मेरे साथ रहे इसलिए में भगवान का सर्वश्रेष्ठ भक्त हूँ। अर्जुन को क्या पता था की वो केवल भगवान के धर्म की स्थापना का जरिया था। फिर भगवान ने उसका गर्व तोड़ने के लिए उसे एक परीक्षा का गवाह बनाने के लिए अपने साथ ले गए।

श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुन ने जोगियों का वेश बनाया और वन से एक शेर पकड़ा और पहुँच जाते है भगवान विष्णु के परम-भक्त राजा मोरध्वज के द्वार पर। राजा मोरध्वज बहुत ही दानी और आवभगत वाले थे अपने दर पे आये किसी को भी वो खाली हाथ और बिना भोज के जाने नहीं देते थे।

भगवान से आज्ञा पाकर राजा महल में गया तो राजा का उतरा हुआ मुख देख कर पतिव्रता रानी ने राजा से कारण पूछा। राजा ने जब सारा हाल बताया तो रानी के आँखों से अश्रु बह निकले। फिर भी वो अभिमान से राजा से बोली कि आपकी आन पर मैं अपने सैंकड़ों पुत्र कुर्बान कर सकती हूँ। आप साधुओ को आदरपूर्वक अंदर ले आइये।

अर्जुन ने भगवान से पूछा- माधव ! ये क्या माजरा है ? आप ने ये क्या मांग लिया ? कृष्ण बोले -अर्जुन तुम देखते जाओ और चुप रहो।

राजा तीनो को अंदर ले आये और भोजन की तैयारी शुरू की। भगवान को छप्पन भोग परोसा गया पर अर्जुन के गले से उतर नहीं रहा था। राजा ने स्वयं जाकर पुत्र को तैयार किया। पुत्र भी तीन साल का था नाम था रतन कँवर, वो भी मात पिता का भक्त था, उसने भी हँसते हँसते अपने प्राण दे दिए परंतु उफ़ ना की ।

राजा रानी ने अपने हाथो में आरी लेकर पुत्र के दो टु'कड़े किये और सिंह को परोस दिया। भगवान ने भोजन ग्रहण किया पर जब रानी ने पुत्र का आधा शरीर देखा तो वो आंसू रोक न पाई। भगवान इस बात पर गुस्सा हो गए की लड़के का एक फाड़ कैसे बच गया? भगवान रुष्ट होकर जाने लगे तो राजा रानी रुकने की मिन्नतें करने लगी।

अर्जुन को अहसास हो गया था की भगवान मेरे ही गर्व को तोड़ने के लिए ये सब कर रहे है। वो स्वयं भगवान के पैरों में गिरकर विनती करने लगा और कहने लगा की आप ने मेरे झूठे मान को तोड़ दिया है। राजा रानी के बेटे को उनके ही हाथो से मरवा दिया और अब रूठ के जा रहे हो, ये उचित नही है। प्रभु ! मुझे माफ़ करो और भक्त का कल्याण करो।

तब केशव ने अर्जुन का घमंड टूटा जान रानी से कहा की वो अपने पुत्र को आवाज दे। रानी ने सोचा पुत्र तो म'र चुका है, अब इसका क्या मतलब !! पर साधुओं की आज्ञा मानकर उसने पुत्र को आवाज लगाई।

कुछ ही क्षणों में चमत्कार हो गया । मृ'त पुत्र जिसका शरीर शे'र ने खा लिया था, वो हँसते हुए आकर अपनी माँ से लिपट गया। भगवान ने मोरध्वज और रानी को अपने विराट स्वरुप का दर्शन कराया। पूरे दरबार में वासुदेव कृष्ण की जय जय कार गूंजने लगी।

भगवान के दर्शन पाकर अपनी भक्ति सार्थक जान मोरध्वज की ऑंखें भर आई और वो बुरी तरह बिलखने लगे। भगवान ने वरदान मांगने को कहा तो राजा रानी ने कहा !

भगवान एक ही वर दो कि, अपने भक्त की ऐसी कठोर परीक्षा न ले, जैसी आप ने हमारी ली है।
तथास्तु कहकर भगवान ने उसको आशीर्वाद दिया और पूरे परिवार को मोक्ष दिया।

My Thoughts.....................65

 

1) Truth about self cannot be discovered outside, it needs to be realized inside!

2) When life has given you a chance to be alive, stay alive, don't be a zombie.

3) Moksha is to understand that you're boundless and not a bounded one!

4) The only real place is within, outside everything is an illusion!

5) Intuition and wisdom are never borrowed, both come from within!

6) There is no off switch for the wheel of the Kal Chakra, it moves on forever, only way to come out of it is to JUMP OUT with the help of Atma Jnana!

7) You're valuable, focus on the things that enhance your value rather than on useless things that bring down the value of your value!

8) To overcome fear of death, accept death, and live life the way there is no Tomorrow!

9) There is no off switch for the wheel of the Kal Chakra, it moves on forever, only way to come out of it is to JUMP OUT with the help of Atma Jnana!

10) Turn your pressure into pleasure and enjoy Life!