THE MANTRAS_MAHAMRITYUNJAYA

THE MANTRAS

MAHAMRITYUNJAYA MANTRA

Aum Trayambakam Yajamahe,
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam;
Urva Rukamiva Bandhanaan,
Mrityor Mokshiye Maamritat.

ॐ त्रियम्बकं यजामहे, सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनं
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मोक्षिय मामृतात्

TRANSLATION

Three-eyed one, I meditate on you, who increase fragrance and nourishment. From powerful disease, bondage and death free us into immortality.

Mahamrityunjaya mantra is founded by Rishi Markandey. It was a secret mantra and Rishi Markandey was the only one in the world who knew this mantra.

Story:

The Moon was once cursed by Prajapati Daksha for not giving love and respect to his other 26 wives except Rohini. Rishi Markandeya gave the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra to Sati, so that Moon's curse can be removed. At Prabhas Patan this Mantra was recited, finally lord Shiva placed moon on his head to reduce Daksha's curse by making Chandra waning and waxing for 15 days. Chandra made Somnath temple; the first Jyotirlinga temple (among 12 Jyotirlinga).

This mantra is dedicated to Rudra. It refers to furious aspect of Shiva. It is a component of the "life restoring" practice given to the primordial sage Shukra  after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity.

NAVADURGA_THE NINE FORMS OF GODDESS DURGA

NAVADURGA: THE NINE FORMS OF

GODDESS DURGA

                             SHAILAPUTRI: She is the daughter of the mountains.

1.  She is also known as Parvati, the daughter of Hemavana- the King of Himalayas.

2.  She is first among navadurgas.

3.  Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri.

4.  She is the embodiment of power of Brahma, Vishnu and shiva.

5.  She rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two
                      hands.



 BHRAMACHARINI: She is one who practices devout austerity.

1.  She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri.

2.  She is the second form of mother goddess.

3.  She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace.

4.  She holds a rosary in her right hand and water utensil (kamandulu) in her left hand.
                     
                       5.  She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity
                       and grace upon all devotees who worship her.

                       6.  She is filled with bliss, happiness. She is way to 
                       emancipation ie Moksha.

 CHANDRAGHANTA:

1.  The third facet of Goddess durga.

2.  She is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life.

3.  She has a 'Chandra' or half moon in her forhead in the shape of a 'ghanta' or bell. That is why she is called 'Chandraghanta'.

4.  She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides
                       a lion.

                       5.  She has ten hands, three eyes and holds a weapon in her 
                       hands.

                       6.  She is a symbol of bravery and possess great strength to
                       fight in the battle against demons.


                             KUSHMANDA:


1. Fourth form of mother goddess and is worshipped on the
fourth day of Navaratri. 

2.  The meaning of Kushmanda ie 'Ku'- 'a little'; 'ushma'-               'warmth'; 'anda'- 'cosmic egg'.

3.  She is considered the creator of Universe. The universe
was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light 
spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. 

4.  She is depicted as having eight or ten hands. 

                      5.  She hold weapon, glitter, roasry etc in her hands and she rides a lion. 



SKANDA MATA:

1.  She is the fifth aspect of the Mother durga.

2.  She is the mother of skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their Commander-in-chief in the war against the demon " Tarakasur".

3.  She is worshipped on the fith day of Navaratri.

4.  She is accompanied by the Lord skanda in his infant form.

5.  Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards.

6.  The left arm is in pose to grant boons with grace and in left hand which is raised also holds a lotus.

7.  She has a bright complexion and often depicted as seated on lotus.

KATYAYANI:

1.  She is the sixth form of mother durga.

2.  she is worshipped on the sixth day of Navaratri.

3.  The legend behind her name goes thus:

     "Once upon a time there was a great sage, who had a son named Kata. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. he underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of mother goddess. he wished to have a daughter in the form of goddess. According to his wish and desire the mother goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.


 KAAL RATRI:

1. She is the seventh form of Mother durga.

2. She is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri.

3.  She has dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture.

4.  A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck.

5.  She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath.

6.  Her vehicle is donkey.

7.  Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all worshippers and all her right lower hand is in the pose of allaying fears.

8.  Her left upper hand holds a thorn like weapon, made of iron and there is a dagger in the lower left hand.

9.  She is black like goddess kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil.

10.  Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles.

11.  She is also known as 'Shubhamkari'- one who does good.    

MAHA GAURI:

1.  She is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri.

2.  Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful.

3.  As a result of her worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life.

4.  Mahagauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. The story goes like this:-

" Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleaned her with water of ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha gauri, which means extremely white."

5.  She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Her right hand is in the pose of allaying fear and her right lower hand holds a trident. The left upper hand holds a 'damaru' and lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees.

SIDDHIDATRI:

1.  She is the ninth form of goddess.

2.  She is worshipped on the ninth day of navaratri.

3.  She has super natural healing powers.

4.  She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose.

5.  She rides on the lion as her vehicle.

6.   She blesses all gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and devotees as a manifestation of mother goddess.

7.  In 'Devi Bhagavata Purana, it is mentioned that Lord shiva worshipped her and was blessed with all siddhis. By her blessings his hald body became female and other male/ Ardhanarishvara.
                      

THE EIGHT RITES OF PASSAGE

THE EIGHT RITES OF PASSAGE

ASHTA SAMSKARA

1.  NAMAKARANA  -  Name giving ceremony

This is the hindu-name giving ceremony, performed in home or the temple 11 to 41 days after birth. The father whispers the auspicious new name in the infant ear.

2.  ANNA PRASANA  -  Beginning of solid food

The first feeding of solid food is a sacred event performed by the father in the temple/house. The choice of food offered to a child at this crucial time is said to help determine his or her destiny.

3.  KARNAVEDHA  -  Ear piercing

The ear piercing ceremony, given to both boys and girls, performed in temple/ home, generally on the child's first birthday. Health and wealth benefits derive from this ancient rite.

4.  CHUDAKARANA  -  Head shaving

The head is shaven and smeared with sandalwood paste in this rite performed in the temple or home before the age four. It is a very happy day for the child. the shaven head denotes purity and egolessness.

5.  VIDYARAMBHA  -  Beginning of education

The formal beginning of primary education. In this rite, performed in the temple or home, the child scribes the first letter of the alphabet in a tray of unbroken, uncooked, saffron rice. 

6.  UPANAYANA  -  Sacred thread ceremony

The ceremonial investment of the "sacred thread" and initiation into vedic study, performed in home or temple, usually between the ages of 9 and 15, after which a youth is considered " twice born".

7.  VIVAHA  -  Marriage

The marriage ceremony, performed in a temple or wedding hall around the sacred homa fire. Lifetime vows, vedic prayers and seven steps before God and Gods consecrate the union of husband and wife.

8.  ANTYESHTI  -  Funeral/ last Rites

The funeral rite includes preparation of the body, cremation, home-cleansing and dispersal of ashes. The purifying fire releases the soul from this world that it may journey unhindered to the next. 

TYPES OF HINDU MARRIAGE

TYPES OF HINDU MARRIAGE

There are eight types of marriage described in Manusmriti (Laws of Manu) or Manava Dharma Shastra.

1.  Rites of Brahaman (Brahma) -  Where father of bride invites a man learned in the vedas and a good conduct; and gives his daughter in marriage to him after decking her with jewels and costly garments.

2.  Rites of Gods (Daiva)  -  Where the daughter is groomed with ornaments and given to the priest who duly officiates at a sacrifice during the course of its performance.

3.  Rite of the Rishis (Arsha)  -  When the father gives away his daughter after receiving a cow and a bull from the bridegroom.

4.  Rite of Prajapati (Prajapatya)  -  Where father gives away his daughter after blessing the couple with the text "May both of you perform together your duties".

5.  Rite of Asuras (Demons)  -  When the bridegroom receives a maiden after bestowing wealth to the kins men and to the bride according to his own will.

6.  Rite of Gandharva  -  The voluntary union of a maiden and her lover, which arises from desire and physical relations for its purpose.

7.  Rites of Rakshasa  -  Forcible abduction of a maiden from her home after her kinsmen have been slain or wounded and their houses broken open.

8.  Rite of the Pisacha  -  When a man by stealth seduces a girl who is sleeping or intoxicated or is mentally disbalanced or handicapped.

HINDU RITES AND RITUALS

HINDU RITES AND RITUALS

1.  Ceremonies may be performed during pregnancy to ensure the health of the mother and growing child.

2.  The father may part the hair of the mother three times upward from the front to the back, to assure the ripening of the embryo.

3.  At birth, before the umbilical cord is severed, the father may touch the baby's lips with a gold spoon or ring dipped in honey, curd and ghee.

4.  The word is whispered three times into the right ear, and the mantras are chanted to ensure a long life.

5.  A number of rituals for the infant include the first visit outside to a temple, the first feeding with solid food (usually cooked rice), an ear-piercing ceremony and the first haircut (shaving the head) that often occurs at a temple or during a festival when the hair is offered to a deity.

UPANAYANA

The thread ceremony which takes place for young males between the ages of six and twelve to mark the transition to awareness and adult religious responsibilities.

** Only Brahman, Kshatriya and Vaishya were allowed to wear the thread.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF LORD SHIVA

NATARAJA (LORD OF DANCE)

1.  The two most common forms of dance are:-

    (a)  Tandava (Powerful and masculine dance associated with the destruction 

           of the world)

    (b)  Lasya ( graceful and delicate and express emotions on a gentle level and 

           is considered the feminine dance attributed to goddess Parvati).

2.  These dances are associated with the destruction- creation of the world.

DAKSHINAMURTHY

1.  It is the form of Shiva facing south.

2.  This form represents shiva in his apsect as  a teacher of yoga, music and wisdom and giving exposition on the shastras.

3.  Elements of this motif can include shiva seated upon a deer throne and surrounded by sages who are receiving his instruction.

ARDHANARISHVARA

1.  Representation of shiva shown in one half of the body as male and the other half as female.

2.  It is used to visualize the belief that the lord had sacrificed half of his body to his shakti, the sagun swaroop of Goddess adi shakti, as a sign of this love for her.





TRIPURANTAKA

1.  Shiva is depicted as an archer in the act of destroying the triple fortresses, Tripura of the Asuras.

2.  After destroying Tripura, Tripurantaka Shiva smeared his forehead with three strokes of ashes.

AVATARS OF SHIVA

VIRABHADRA

Born when shiva grabbed a lock of his matted hair and dashed it to the ground. Virabhadra then destroyed Daksha's yajna (fire sacrifice) and severed his head as per Shiva's instructions.

BHAIRAVA

Fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation Bhairava is shown carrying head of Brahma.

SHARABHA

To tame Narasimha the fierce man-lion avatar of Vishnu worshipped by Vaishnava sect- into a normal pleasant form representing harmony.

NATARAJA

Lord of dance is a depiction of god shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs his divine dance who performs his divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make preparations for god Brahma to start the process of creation.

DURVASA

Ancient sage, the son of Atri and Anusuya. he is known for his short temper.

HANUMAN

He is identified as eleventh avatar of shiva.

HARIHARA

It is the name of a combined diety of both Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara).

HINDU DEITIES_LORD SHIVA

LORD SHIVA

1. Lord Shiva is the Destroyer or Transformer among the Trimurti.

2. Shiva is one in whom the Universe 'sleeps' in a boundless void after destruction.

3. Shiva is therefore eternal and purest. Shiva is 'The Reality'.

4. Shiva is 'The Consciousness (frees from the bonds of mortal desires).

5. Shiva is 'The Bliss (roots out sin and fear).

6. Shiva is Auspicious (makes the earth religious and an abode of safety and peace).

7. Shiva is a Yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. yet one with great power, he lives a life of a sage at Mount kailash.

8. Shiva is usually worshipped in the abstract form of Shiva Linga.

SHIVA'S ATTRIBUTES

1.  SHIVA'S FORM:   

     

    -  Shiva has a trident in the right lower arm, with a crescent moon on his head.

    -  He is fair like camphor or like an ice clad mountain.

    -  He has a fire and damaru and Mala or a kind of weapon.

    -  He wears five serpents as ornaments.

    -  He wears a garland of skulls.

    -  He faces south.

    -  Panchakshara itself in his body.

2.  Third Eye:   Shiva used his third eye to burn desire (kama) to ashes called 'Tryambakam'.

3.  Crescent Moon:   (Chandrashekhara) Shiva bears on his head the crescent moon.

4.  Ashes (Bhasmaanga Raaga):  Shiva smears his body with ashes.

5.  Matted Hair:   (Jataajoota Dhari) His hair is said to be like molten gold in color or being yellowish-white.

6.  Blue-throat:  (Nilakantha) Shiva drank the halahala poison churned up from the Samudra Manthan to eliminate its destructive capacity. shocked by his act, Goddess parvati strangled his neck and hence managed to stop it in his neck itself  and prevent it from spreading all over the universe supposed to be in Shiva's stomach. However, the poison was so potent that it changed the color of his neck to blue.

7.  Sacred Ganga: (Gangadhara) Ganges river flows from the matted hair of shiva. The flow of Ganges also represents the nectar of immortality.

8.  Tiger skin:  (Krittivasan) He is often upon a tiger skin. Tiger represents lust. His sitting on the tiger's skin indicates, he has concurred lust.

9.  Serpents:  (Nagendra Hara)  Shiva is shown garlanded with a snake. His wearing of serpents on the neck denotes wisdom and eternity.

10.  Deer: His holding deer on one hand indicates that he has removed the chanchalata of mind (ie attained maturity and firmness in thought process). Deer jumps from one place to another swiftly, similar to the mind moving from one thought to another.

11.  Trident:  It represents three Gunas- Sattva, Rajas & tamas ie the emblem of sovereignty. He rules the world through these three Gunas.

12.  Damaru:  A small drum shaped like an hourglass is also known as damaru. It represents the Sabda Brahman. It represents OM from which all languages are formed. It is he who formed the sanskrit language out of the Damru sound.

13.  Nandi:  It is the name of bull that serves as Shiva's mount. Bull is his vehicle. Bull represents Dharma Devta. This denotes that shiva is the protector of Dharma, is an embodiment of Dharma/ righteousness.

14.   Gana:  They are the attendants of shiva and live in kailash. Ganesh was chosen as their leader by Shiva, hence Ganesha's title ' Gana-pati' ie 'lord of Ganas'.

15.  Mount Kailasha: In the himalayas is his traditional abode. It represents a linga, representing the centre of universe.

16.  Varanasi:  It is considered as the city specially loved by Shiva and is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage in India. Also known as Kashi.

SHIVA AS A HOUSEHOLDER

1.  As a family man and householder, he has a wife, Parvati and two sons Ganesha and Kartikeya.

2.  Parvati is identified with Devi, the divine mother, Shakti (divine energy) as well as goddess like Tripura sundari, Durga, Kamakshi and Meenakshi.

3.  The consorts of shiva are the source of his creative energy. They represent the dynamic extension of Shiva onto this universe.

4.  His son Ganesha is worshipped as Remover of obstacles, lord of beginnings.

5.  Kartikeya is worshipped in southern India as Murugan and skanda/ Kartikeya in North India.