Bad Effects of association with sinners

Dushta-saangatya Dosham

(Bad Effects of association with sinners)

Nov-13-2011               Sunday

On the way to the great Ujjaini city, there was a Pippala-Vruksham (Ashwattha Vruksham). On the tree, a Vaayasam (crow) and a Hamsa (Swan) lived.  One afternoon, when Surya-deva (Sun) was showing His power, came a Paantha (traveller). He was not able to tolerate the heat,and desired taking rest in the shade of the Ashwattha Vruksham. When he was taking rest, the Hamsa (Swan) saw that, through the gaps between leaves of tree, sun-light was directly falling on the face of the Paantha.                                                                                                    Hamsa (Swan), who was a Dayaalu, could not see this and spread out his wings and thus gave shade to the Paantha sleeping under the tree. Seeing the Paantha was sleeping happily, the Vaayasam (crow) got envy due to his bad nature (Dushta-svabhaavam). The Vaayasam (crow), out of Matsaram (envy), dropped his excretions on the face of the sleeping traveler and flew away.                                                                         Though it had nothing to gain by troubling the traveler, it troubled him because,  its nature of paining others; this gives pleasure. The Paantha woke up and saw the Hamsa (Swan) which was above him and thinking that it has dropped this excretion on him, shot it with an arrow. The innocent Hamsa (Swan) fell down and died.

Morals in the Story:

1.   The Daya (kindness) of Hamsa (Swan) is great. Not able to see the difficulty of the traveler, it spread its wings, took all the heat and protected the traveler. There is no greater Dharmam (virtue) than Paropakaaram (helping others in need).

2.   Even though the Hamsa (Swan) is a good-natured, just because it stayed with the Vaayasam (crow) (bad natured), it got into difficulties. One must never be in the Saagatyam (company) of bad. Durjanas (Sinners) not only destroy themselves, but also others (good natured) with them.

3.   Krodham (anger) is one’s greatest enemy. Because of his anger, the traveler, without thinking what actually happened, killed the innocent Hamsa (Swan). Coming under Krodham one can do any great paapam( sin), hence one must always refrain from anger.  .------- Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in the blog with utmost devotion to Sri Parama  Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka,  Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara !  Aum tat sath !  ==================================================

Garuda

GARUDA 

Story : 48            Nov-10-2011             Thursday     Krtheeka  Punnami

Garuda is one of the three principal animal headed-deities in the Hindu (Mythology) Puranas that has evolved after the Vedic Period in Indian history. The other two are Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of the goddess Durga, and Hanuman, the monkey god. It is after Garuda that the Indonesian National Airlines is named. Even today, Garuda is much revered by devout Hindus for his ethics and his strength in applying his ethics to correct evil-doers.  He is also adored for his devotion and service to mother.

Garuda is the king of the birds. He mocks the wind with the speed of his flight. As the appointed charger of Vishnu he is venerated by all, including humans. Garuda is the son of Kashyap, a great sage, and Vinata, a daughter of Daksha, a famous king.  He was hatched from an egg Vinata laid. He has the head, wings, talons, and beak of an eagle and the body and limbs of a man. He has a white face, red wings and golden body. When he was born he was so brilliant that he was mistaken for Agni, the god of fire, and worshipped.

Garuda was born with a great hatred for the evil and he is supposed to roam about the universe devouring the bad, though he spares Brahmins as his parents had forbidden him to eat them.   Garuda is also well-known for his aversion to snakes, a dislike he had acquired from his mother, Vinata. There is a story behind this hatred of Garuda's mother. As it is quite interesting it is told hereafter.

Kashyap, Garuda's father, is a holy sage and a pious Brahmin; he had two wives: Kadru, the elder, and Vinata, Garuda's mother, the younger.  There was great rivalry and hatred between the two wives. They could not tolerate each other.  Once, they had an argument over the color of the horse Uchchaisravas, produced during the Churning of the Ocean of Milk,  just after the time of creation. Each chose a color and laid a wager on her own choice. The one who lost would become the other's slave.  Kadru proved to be right and, as part of the agreement, she imprisoned Vinata in the nether regions, Patala, where she was guarded by venomous serpents. The serpents are the sons of Kadru herself.

Garuda, on hearing of his mother's imprisonment, descended to Patala and asked the serpents to release Vinata. They agreed to do so and demanded as ransom a cup of amrita (nectar). So Garuda set off for the celestial mountain where the amrita was kept. Before he could get to the amrita he had to overcome three hazards set up by the gods to guard the celestial drink. First, Garuda came upon a ring of flames fanned by high winds. They roared and leapt up to the sky but Garuda drank up several rivers and extinguished the flames with that water. Next, Garuda came upon a circular doorway. A very rapidly spinning wheel with very sharp spikes on the spokes guarded it. Garuda made himself very small and slipped through the turning spokes. Lastly, Garuda had to defeat two fire-spitting serpents guarding the amrita. He flapped his wings rapidly and blew dust into the eyes of the monsters and blinded them. Then he cut them to pieces with his sharp beak. So Garuda finally reached the amrita and started to fly back with it to the nether regions but the gods anticipated his purpose and gave chase. Indra, king of the gods, struck him with his thunderbolt weapon but Garuda proved a superior warrior and defeated the gods and continued unscathed on his journey to Patala.

When the serpents got the amrita they were overjoyed and released Vinata. Garuda got his mother back but he became an inveterate enemy of the serpents, the sons of his mother's rival Kadru. Also the serpents, the Nagas (venomous serpants), symbolized evil and that automatically invoked Garuda's hatred.

As the Nagas were about to consume the amrita Garuda had just brought them, the chasing gods entered Patala and Indra seized and took away the cup of amrita.  Anyway, the serpents had just had time enough to lick a few drops of amrita that spilled from the cup and this was enough to make them immortal. Also, since the celestial drink was very strong, their tongues were split and that is why, to this day, serpents have forked tongues.
Moral : Garuda's love and dedication to his mother is emulative to all of us. -------------------------------

Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in this blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara.

 

The Story of Tulasi Devi

The Story of Tulasi Devi

Nov-6-2011. Sunday Ksheerabdi Dwadasi holy day.

Once Tulasi devi descended as the daughter of King Kushadvaja. She was married to Jalhandara. It is said that Samudra deva the demigod controlling the nether regions had Lakshmi devi as a daughter (since she appeared from him at time of the churning of the ocean) and Jalandara (one who is born from water).

Jalandara was married to Tulasi devi and drew strength from her purity and chastity. So firm was her chastity that even Lord Shiva could not defeat Jalandara in battle and all the demigods went to Lord Vishnu for help.

At this time, Lord Vishnu went to Tulasi devi assuming the form of her husband, Jalandara. When Tulasi devi embraced Him with love, thinking Him to be her husband; her chastity was momentarily broken. Taking advantage of this, the demigods killed Jalandara.

When Tulasi devi understood what happened, Lord Vishnu revealed His original form. An enraged Tulasi devi cursed Lord Vishnu for His stone hearted behavior to become a stone. Honoring His pure devotee, Lord Vishnu accepted this curse and promised to appear as the Saligrama shila in the Gandika river (now in Nepal). He also gave Tulsai devi the benediction that she will eternally reside with Him as His consort in Vaikuntha. He said that for the benefit of every one she will assume the form of a plant which will be most auspicious for anyone performing devotional service.

Thus devotees never offer anything to Krishna without a Tulasi leaf. He always adorns Himself with a Tulasi garland. The goddess of fortune, Laksmi, is sometimes envious of the Tulasi leaves which are placed at the lotus feet of the Lord, for they remain fixed there and do not move, whereas Laksmiji, although stationed by the chest of the Lord, sometimes has to please other devotees who pray for her favor. Laksmiji sometimes has to go to satisfy her numerous devotees, but tulasi leaves never forsake their position, and the Lord therefore appreciates the service of the tulasi more than the service of Laksmi.

The marriage of Tulasi Devi with Bhagavan Vishnu is performed on Ksheerabdi dwadasi day in the month of Kaarthika (November) every year.-------------------------------

Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in this blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara.

Durvasa and the Pandavas

Nov.5-2011 (Saturday)

The pandava princes lost their kingdom to Kauravas in gambling. As a result they were forced to go and live in the forest. Lot of their friends including sages used to visit them daily in their forest-ashram. They found it very difficult to give them food. So Panchali the wife of Pandavas prayed the God Bhagavan Sri Krishna. He gave her one Akshaya Pathra which would give any amount of food in a day, till Panchali takes her food. With the Akshaya Pathra the Pandavas were able to give food to all their guests.

The Kauravas wanted to trouble them further. They requested sage Durvasa to visit Pandavas late in the after noon. Durvasa as a very short tempered sage who used to curse people when he gets annoyed. Durvasa reached the forest after Panchali has taken her food. Anyway the pandavas requested the sage to go and take bath in the river so that they can keep food ready. They did not know what to do. Panchali prayed Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna came before them immediately. He said to Panchali, “Sister, I am hungry, give me some food.” Panchali was perplexed and started crying. Sri Krishna asked her to bring the akshaya pathra. In the corner of the Akshaya Pathra, a leaf of Amaranth was sticking. Krishna took the leaf, ate it and drank some water. He told Panchali, “Thanks a lot, my belly is now full”. He then went away. At that time Sage Durvasa was taking his bath. Suddenly he felt that his belly was very full. He was worried that he had made Pandavas cook food for him. He came and excused himself. Like this Sri Krishna solved the problem of Pandavas --------------------------------

Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in this blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara.

Sttory of Biirth of River Kavaeri

Bhagavan Ganapathi blessed the South India with a great river Story of Birth of River Kaveri
Wednesday. (Nov-2-2011)
The marriage of Shiva and Parvathi was to be celebrated on mount Kailasa. All the people all over the world started traveling towards mount Kailasa. Due to the heavy burden on the northern side, the world started tilting towards the north. To correct this Bhagavan (Lord) Shiva requested sage Agsthya to go and live in the South of India. Agasthya obeyed the orders of Bhagavan (Lord) Shiva and reached the south. The entire south India was extremely dry at that time. Bhagavan (Lord) Shiva had sent some sacred waters of Ganga along with Agasthya, which Sage Agasthya was preserving very carefully in his pot. One day when was asleep, Ganapathi took the form of a crow and toppled Agasthya’s pot. From the Ganga (water) started spreading in to a river. This river was called kaveri - means the river was spread by a crow.
---------------. Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in this blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara.