Interesting facts/stories about Goddess Parashakthi

Discussion in 'Religious places & Spiritual people' started by navs23, Jan 28, 2011.

  1. navs23

    navs23 Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,410
    Likes Received:
    635
    Trophy Points:
    208
    Gender:
    Female
    Navrathri Vrat

    Navratri Vrat or Navaratri Vratam is an important fast observed by Hindus during Ashvin (September – October). It is believed that those devotees who perform Navratri fasting will find happiness on earth and will receive ‘moksha.’ Legend has it that, how to observe the Navarathri Vrat was once narrated by Goddess Durga to one of her ardent devotee. The Vratam is observed by both men and women and Navratri mantra is repeated during the period.

    When is Navratri Vrat observed
    The Navratri fast is observed from the first day to the ninth day of Ashvin month. People take bath in the morning and evening during this period and some even drink water only after the ritual bath in the morning.
    Most devotees take only a single meal during the day. Non-vegetarian food is totally avoided. Some people confine to milk and fruits during the nine days.
    Some devotees only observe fast during three days i.e., first fast during any one of the first three days and second fast during any one of the next three and last in any one of final three days.

    navdurga.jpg

    How to perform the rituals
    A Kalash is prepared at home and the water is changed daily for nine days. The kalash is placed on grains on raised platform or in the Puja room. Goddess Durga is worshipped during the first three days, Goddess Lakshmi for the next three days, and Goddess Saraswathi during the last three days. (Some people make clay figures of the Goddesses during the period).
    Each day fresh flowers and fruits are offered to the Goddess. Arati is performed and bhajans are recited.

    In South India, there is the display of dolls and idols – Kolu (in Tamil) and the placing of Kalasham, which represents the Goddesses. These dolls are placed on nicely fabricated platforms and form “steps” or raised structures of 5 or 7 or 9.

    Mango leaf festoons are installed on doors, windows and in puja room. Fresh Kolams are drawn on all the nine days. Women are specially invited from the neighbourhood. They come in their silk fineries and sing a bhajan before the kolu. “Sundal” (a fried Bengal gram delicacy) is distributed to one and sundry. It is common to give gifts to the invited women; usually it is a bag containing betel leaves, betel nuts, a pair of round turmeric roots, a coconut, fruits, sweets, flowers, a small gift such as eye kohl, kumkuma, bangles, comb etc.

    This is the period of celebration of women. A kannika (young girl before puberty) is worshipped. Some people do the Kannika Pooja on all nine days; their tiny feet and ankles smeared with a paste of rich red vermillion in a traditional motiff. New clothes are distributed and only after they have been served the first offering, the rest can join in for lunch.

    Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) and Sri Lalita Sahasranama are recited during the period. The important Navratri mantra is ‘Aaim hreem kleem chamundayai vichche.’

    Some devotees conduct special homas and pujas during the period.

    On the ninth day, all books, pen and whatever implements that a person uses for his/her livelihood is worshipped and is not touched on the day.

    On the tenth day, that is the Vijayadashami day in South India, especially in Kerala, young children are initiated into the world of learning.

    There are no hard and fast rules for any fasting in Hindu religion. There is always scope for flexibility. Some people just abstain from non-vegetarian food during the period. Some people just visit temples all the nine days. Some people read Bhagavad Gita or other holy books during the period.

    Source: hindu-blog.com, navratripooja.wordpress.com
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2011
  2. pinksugar

    pinksugar Gold IL'ite

    Messages:
    600
    Likes Received:
    127
    Trophy Points:
    108
    Gender:
    Female
    Thanks swetha and navs.Thanks for your suggestions and support.You are right.i should do what I can and leave the rest to god. God knows the best.I will continue my prayers and keep faith at all times.Thanks for the inspiratinal story navs!

    I enjoy reading your posts.I did not know there are so many forms of goddess.Its so interesting to read.
    The nonmbu topic was very useful and timely.

    Regarding goddess annapurna you had given a link to a sloka which should be said before having our food.Its given by chitvish.Its a 4 stanza sloka.The first 2 are from annaporna ashtakam.What is the meaning of the last 2 stanza and can I get an audio of it?I dont want to pronounce it wrong.Do u have its meaning also?
     
  3. Swethasri

    Swethasri Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,653
    Likes Received:
    1,567
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Female
    Nice explanation about navaratri navs.Thanks
     
  4. Swethasri

    Swethasri Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,653
    Likes Received:
    1,567
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Female
    Vasantha Navarathri

    Most of the people are unaware of this Navratri celebration in the month of March because the festival is not popular amongst the other Indian populace due to lack in pomp and fanfare. Although like its October counterpart this festival is celebrated to mark the seasonal changes. Vasanth Navratri is celebrated at the beginning of the summer whereas the Navratri in October marks the beginning of the winter. Vasanth Navratri is also known as Ram Navratri because Ram Navami falls on the nine day of Chaitra. This Spring Navratri or Vasanth Navratri festival is dedicated to Mother Gauri or Parvati


    Legend of celebrating Vasanth Navratri

    According to the legend of Devi Bhagwata King Dhruvasindu of Kosala was killed by a lion during one of his hunting expeditions. Next Preparations were made to crown the prince Sudarsana. But, King Yudhajit of Ujjain, the father of Queen Lilavati, and King Virasena of Kalinga, the father of Queen Manorama, were each desirous of securing the Kosala throne for their respective grandsons. They fought with each other. King Virasena was killed in the battle. Manorama fled to the forest with Prince Sudarsana and a eunuch. They took refuge in the hermitage of Rishi Bharadwaja.
    The victor, King Yudhajit, thereupon crowned his grandson, Satrujit, at Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala. He then went out in search of Manorama and her son. The Rishi said that he would not give up those who had sought protection under him. Yudhajit became furious. He wanted to attack the Rishi. But, his minister told him about the truth of the Rishi’s statement. Yudhajit returned to his capital.


    Fortune smiled on Prince Sudarsana. A hermit’s son came one day and called the eunuch by his Sanskrit name Kleeba. The prince caught the first syllable Kli and began to pronounce it as Kleem. This syllable happened to be a powerful, sacred Mantra. It is the Bija Akshara (root syllable) of the Divine Mother. The Prince obtained peace of mind and the Grace of the Divine Mother by the repeated utterance of this syllable. Devi appeared to him, blessed him and granted him divine weapons and an inexhaustible quiver.


    The emissaries of the king of Benares passed through the Ashram of the Rishi and, when they saw the noble prince Sudarsana, they recommended him to Princess Sashikala, the daughter of the king of Benares.

    The ceremony at which the princess was to choose her spouse was arranged. Sashikala at once chose Sudarsana. They were duly wedded. King Yudhajit, who had been present at the function, began to fight with the king of Benares. Devi helped Sudarsana and his father-in-law. Yudhajit mocked Her, upon which Devi promptly reduced Yudhajit and his army to ashes.

    Thus Sudarsana, with his wife and his father-in-law, praised Devi. She was highly pleased and ordered them to perform her worship with havan and other means during the Vasanta Navratri. Then she disappeared.

    Prince Sudarsana and Sashikala returned to the Ashram of Rishi Bharadwaja. The great Rishi blessed them and crowned Sudarsana as the king of Kosala. Sudarsana and Sashikala and the king of Benares implicitly carried out the commands of the Divine Mother and performed worship in a splendid manner during the Vasanta Navratri.

    Sudarsana’s descendants, namely, Sri Rama and Lakshmana, also performed worship of Devi during the Vasanta Navratri and were blessed with her assistance in the recovery of Sita.

    Why Vasanth Navratri is celebrated?

    The reason stated for celebrating Vasanth Navratri is given as
    • To welcome the seasonal changes because other celebrations of the year starts with Vasanth Navratri.
    • To worship the divine power of Shakti that was started by our ancestors.
     
  5. navs23

    navs23 Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,410
    Likes Received:
    635
    Trophy Points:
    208
    Gender:
    Female
    Pinksugar,

    No problem, hope you're feeling better now :thumbsup

    Please visit the link below for Annapoorana Ashtakam lyrics and video. This website has the lyrics and song for most of the Stotras.

    Hindu Devotional Blog: Sri Annapurna Ashtakam Lyrics & Video – Annapurnashtakam Devotional Prayer to Annapurna

    For the meaning, check

    Annapurna ashtakam - VijayaDhwani

    Let me know if you're looking for the Ashtakam in any other language, I can look it up for you.

    Read this somewhere:
    While it is important to pronounce mantras the right way, it is written in the Narayaneeyam that what with the Kali Yuga (the present era) being so wrathful, regressed and full of woes and wickedness, even an imperfect but heartfelt pronunciation can yield remarkable results.

    Good Luck!

     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2011
  6. navs23

    navs23 Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,410
    Likes Received:
    635
    Trophy Points:
    208
    Gender:
    Female
    Thank you for sharing about Vasantha Navaratri Swetha! I am hearing it for the first time, good to know :bowdown
     
  7. navs23

    navs23 Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,410
    Likes Received:
    635
    Trophy Points:
    208
    Gender:
    Female
    Jivantika Vrata - The fast taken for our children

    Jivantika Maa or Jivati Devi, is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. 'Jivantika' means 'giver of long life'. This Vrata is especially for our Children. The Goddess Jivantika Protects our Children. The Goddess Jivantika Protects our children in home and out, at day and night, everywhere, every time. Goddess Jivantika is provider and protector of children. A mother can observe this Vrata for her children and her good married Life.

    goddess-jivantika.jpg

    Significance of Jivantika Vrata

    The significance of Ma Jivantika and Jara Jivantika Vrat is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Married women observe the Jara Jivantika Puja for the welfare of their children and to get healthy babies. Women who observe the Vrat wear only red clothes on the day and avoid social functions. After the morning bath, Arati is performed to Goddess Jivantika. After the puja, some rice is held in the hand and the devotee asks the Goddess to protect her children and then she sprinkles the rice on the head of the children.
    Women avoid cooked food on the day. Usually, they only consume fruits and water. Some people do not sleep during night as well.

    photo1.jpg

    When is Jivantika Vrata observed
    Jara Jivantika Puja is mainly observed on Fridays in the Shravan Month in Maharashtra and Gujarat. In 2010, Jara Jivantika Puja dates are August 13, August 20, August 27 and September 3. Goddess Jivantika is worshipped on all Fridays in Shravan month. The mantra that is chanted on the day is "Om Shri Jivantikayai Namah."

    How to observe the Jivantika Vrat
    - This is to be observe on the first Friday on Shravan month. If the first Friday is not convenient, it can be observed on the Second Friday For better result, it can be observed on all the Fridays in Shravan month.
    - In the morning, Pray the Goddess to help to observe this Vrata purely and seek her help.
    - The observer should wear neither yellow clothes nor gold ornaments. Only red clothes are to be worn.
    - The observer should not take part in any Social gatherings.
    - After the bath, in red clothes the observer would perform 'Pooja' by offering an "Arati" preferably with five lamps or one lamp and offer 'Kansar' or 'Lapsi' made of sugar.
    - At the end of "Pooja" the observer should hold rice in the right hand and pray to Goddess to protect the children everywhere and the sprinkle the rice on the heads of the children. If children are with the parents, rice is thrown on all four directions. North and South.
    - Request goddess to forgive our errors committed unknowingly. If there was any fault committed during the vrat, vrat is observed again the next Friday.
    - If possible do not sleep for the whole night. if it is not possible, the observer should remain awake atleast until 12 'O Clock night.

    Legend
    King Sushil Singh and Queen Sukeshiba had no children. Unable to bear their plight, they ordered a midwife to steal the new born baby boy of Sunderben and declared him as prince Priyavrat Singh. Sunderben was devastated and according to the advice of her husband, she started to observe the Jivantika Vrata. This pleased the Goddess Jivantika and she was there to protect the child always. The prince grew up and became a king. During his trip to Gaya, he disguised himself as a layman and decided to pass a night at a Baniya's place. He fell asleep in the yard and at midnight Shasti Devi(Destiny) appeared and tried to enter into the room. Goddess Jivantika stopped Shasti Devi from writing 'death' as the fate of the new born in the house. She ordered Shasti Devi to write a prolonged and happy life as wherever she dwells, there can not be anything inauspicious. Banya had previously lost all his children on their sixth night and since this child survived, the Banya couple were astonished and attributed this to the unknown guest who came to stay with them.

    The King went to Gaya and during the ritual at a proper time, two hands appeared to accept the homage. The king could not understand the reason and was not convinced by any reasons given by the honored Pandits of the village.
    The king visited Banya's home as he had promised earlier. This time once again it was the sixth night of a newly born baby. The king was lying awake thinking about the miracle of two hands. At midnight the Goddess Shasthi Devi came. She saw the Goddess Jivantika at the King's pillow side.
    Goddess Jivantika asked "What are you going to write?"
    Goddess Shasthi said, "This boy is to die the next morning."
    Goddess Jivantika said, "I am an auspicious Goddess, there can not be any inauspiciousness in my presence, so write a prolonged life with peace and prosperity, health and happiness."
    Goddess Shasti replied "How can I write such a life, according to the law of karma? Last time, I honored your words, It will disturb the system of the World"
    Goddess Jivantika said "I am an auspicious Goddess and whenever and wherever I dwell there can not be any inauspicious thing. So it is my order to write as I wish. He has done nothing, but his mother observes my "Vrata" on Friday in the month of Shravan It is my favorite day and that is why I guard this man even when he is out of home. On that day his mother does not wear green and yellow clothes, and do not pass green and yellow arches. She does not cross even rice water. For the whole day she remembers me, whole heartedly and for a single moment, she does not forget me, How can I forget her and her son ?"

    Priyvratasinh listened to this dialogue. The next morning the child was alive. He returned to his palace and asked his queen mother if she observed the vrata for Goddess Jivantika to which the queen refused. The king became suspicious and in order to find out his true mother he arranged a celebration in the Shravan month on Friday and ordered all the women of his kingdom to wear yellow sarees. All the women came except his mother. The king then sent her a red Saree. She came to the kingdom wearing a red saree. The king recognized his true mother. The queen mother confessed about her sin and the kind was reunited with his true mother.

    photo2.jpg

    Temple and Prasadam
    Rajkot in Gujarat's Saurashtra region has the only temple dedicated to Jivantika Mata. The prasadam offered to children everyday are chocolates and peppermints. In addition to this, fast food like hot dogs, pizzas, pani poori are offered as well.. Anything that children love to eat is offered to the Goddess here.

    Source: hindu-blog.com, jivantikaadyasthan.com
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2011
  8. Swethasri

    Swethasri Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,653
    Likes Received:
    1,567
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Female
    Me too hearing about Godess jivantika now only.very interesting.
     
  9. navs23

    navs23 Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,410
    Likes Received:
    635
    Trophy Points:
    208
    Gender:
    Female
    Ragu Kaalam Durga Pooja

    Durga pooja at the time of Ragu kaalam is done to overcome the ill effects of Ragu and Saturn. Held weekly on every Tuesdays(3pm to 4.30pm), Fridays(10.30pm to 12pm) and Sundays(4.30pm to 6pm) in Durga temples, this pooja attracts many people for various benefits like, to excel in studies, find a good life partner, have a happy married life or have good children. Of all the days, Tuesday is the most auspicious day.

    How to observe the Rahu Kaala Durga Pooja
    One who wants to perform this pooja needs to cut the lemon into halves(horizontally not vertically) and squeeze the juice out. Turn the lemon half inside out(invert it) and use your fingers to remove the fruit, which leaves a nice bowl(deep enough to hold the oil). The main purpose is to bring out the dermis part of the lemon, which is usually white in colour. The lemon resembles us and the white dermis of the lemon shows our pure conscious and the darker part (green in colour which is hidden inside) is our Maya.
    Apply some turmeric and kumkum on both sides of the lemon. Add a cotton wick or any other wick of choice and fill the lemon with ghee.
    One can use any type of wicks in this pooja.
    1) Wick made of banana stem fibre - removes offences before God and ancestral curse
    2) Cotton wick- brings good fortune
    3) Lotus stem fibre – removes karma from pervious birth and establishes a happy and prosperous life
    4) White madder plant –pulp of the bark – increase wealth and dispels misfortunes
    5) New yellow cotton cloth – obtains the grace of Goddess Parasakti and frees one from entanglements and will not be affected by further misfortunes
    6) New Red cotton cloth- removes any marriage obstacles and child bearing obstacles, keep on free from spells, mantras and tantras. The wick is a symbol of energy and light.

    375021830_d2e54d6769.jpg

    The story behind Ragu Kaala Pooja
    A couple was blessed with a child after their continuous prayers to the Divine Mother.
    The child reached her puberty age and the parents decided to seek an astrologer to ask the fate of the child. The couple were shocked to know that their daughter was under the influence of Ragu Thosam and that she will be bitten to death by a black serpent the ninth day from her birthday. On hearing this, the couple rushed to Mother Durga. At this time, Goddess Parvathy was wandering as a saint on earth after she had closed the eyes of Lord Shiva with her palms and had to leave the Kailasham. Parvathy takes a vow to save the child and when the time comes, Ragu changes himself into a serpent and tries to kill the girl. Parvathy blocks all his attempts and at last, Parvathy herself takes the form of the girl and is bitten by Ragu. Ragu begs for forgiveness and lets the girl live. Goddess Parvathy forgives Ragu and reminds him Ragu's influence will ease for those who perform Durga pooja at Ragu kaalam.

    Why should one not light lemon lamps at home during Ragu kaalam
    Durga pooja can be done at home and it will be very effective if its done during the rahu kalam. But lighting of lemon lamps at house during the pooja is not permitted due to the following reason:
    Normally durga pooja during rahu kalam is suggested to overcome ill effects of rahu and saturn. The Lemon is believed to be an attracting medium of energies and hence when we are doing pooja to overcome our ill effects, the lighting of lemon lamps is suggested, which will absorb all the ill effects and burn away the same. But since it is burning away the ill effects created by rahu and saturn, it is better to be done at temple wherein the bad energy released will be neutralised in the power of the divinity.

    lemon lamps at Banashankari Temple.jpg

    Source: Shaktisadhana.org, indiadivine.org
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  10. Swethasri

    Swethasri Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,653
    Likes Received:
    1,567
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Female
    Godess Anjanatchi

    The deity is called Thirukalleswara because of His abode is amidst a forest, crowded with tall cactus plants. The hamlet also got the name Thirukallil. When sage Brigu was living here, he used to worship the Lord with the forest flowers. When he worshipped with 1000 flowers, Lord Siva appeared before him as Dakshinamoorthy along with His consort.
    Thirukachoor, situated near Singaperumalkoil is the sthala where Lord Siva was believed to have begged and satiated the hunger of His devotee. Sundarar, after worshipping Lord Siva, came out of the temple and lied down in the nearby mandap and closed his eyes out of fatigue and hunger. Lord Kachabeswara, moved by the condition of His devotee, assumed the form of a Brahmin and awakened Sundarar.


    Then, he laid a plantain leaf before him and served food. Seeing the food items which were colorful with different tastes, Sundarar asked for the reason. To this, the Brahmin said that as he had no time to cook, he collected the various items from different houses. When Sundarar returned after washing his hands in the nearby tank, the Brahmin was not there. Then, Sundarar realized that the Lord had come in the form of the Brahmin and had begged too for his sake. Let us go to Thirukachoor temple and worship the deity known for His benevolence.


    Sthala purana
    The devas and asuras churned the Ocean of Milk for nectar. They used the Mantara Mountain as the churner, Vasuki, the snake king as the rope. But the mountain started sinking into the sea on account of its weight. To prevent the mountain from sinking, Thirumal assumed the form of a tortoise and shouldered the mountain from beneath the sea. The history says that Thirumal came to this sthala and worshipped Lord Siva to get the strength to bear the weight of the mountain while being in the form of a tortoise (kachapam). This place got the name Thirukachoor because of this incident.


    It is also known as Aadhikachabesam. If we worship the deity Kachabeswara on the days of pradosham after bathing in the Koormatheertham, we’ll get redemption from all doshas and be blessed with prosperity, education and happiness, it is believed.


    Architecture
    Thirukachoor sthala is also called Alakoil. The east-facing temple has no tower. There’s a big tank, called Koormatheertham in front of the temple. It is believed that Thirumal created this tank when he took Koormavtar. The 16-pillar mandap where Sundarar was believed to have relaxed is situated near this tank. Lord Kachabeswara blesses His devotees from His east-facing sannidhi. Kodimaram, Nandi and altar are situated opposite to the sannidhi. The deity is also known as ‘Virundhitta Eswara’ and Kachabeswara.


    He is a swayambu lingam here. The sanctum is designed as a moat. At the Amutha Thyagesa mandap in front of the south entrance, there’s an engraving on a pillar, depicting a tortoise as worshipping a Sivalinga. If we go further down through the mandap, we see the sannidhi of Goddess Anjanatchi. Ambal blesses Her devotees with four arms. She is also called Kanni Umaiyal. This sannidhi has been built as a separate temple. The Malaikoil, which is a part of the Thirukachoor temple, is situated on a hill at a distance of 3 km from Alakoil. The deity in this temple is called Maruntheeswara and the Goddess ‘Irul Neekiya Ammai


    Route
    This sthala is located at 1 km distance from the Singaperumal Koil railway station on the Chennai-Egmore-Chengalpattu route. From Singaperumalkoil on the Chennai-Chengalpattu national highway, we can turn into the Sriperumbhudur road, cross the railway gate and reach Thirukachoor. The temple is situated at the center of the hamlet.
     

Share This Page