getting a
glimpse
of her
partly
focused
he did
not stir
a humble
actor
dressed
as a woman
caught in
a hazy blur by
a beggar poet
a photographer
after the shot
he touched
my feet said
thank you sir
the mirror
does not lie
it captured me
it captured her
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Shooting The Soul Of A Mirror
Lord Ravan
I used to go shoot Ramlila every year , but it was the backstage that was photo effective , their zeal their efforts to get the show started and these were humble souls enacting a great theme ..across the Bengal club at Shivaji Park....
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravana
Ravana is a character in Hindu mythology, and is the primary antagonist in the Ramayan epic.
He plays a major role in the Hindu mythology Ramayana, where he is mainly depicted negatively as a brute, and most infamously as having kidnapped Rama's wife Sita and being killed by her husband.
This depiction is, however, open to other interpretations. Ravana is also mentioned as a great scholar, a capable ruler, Veena Player and a devoted follower of Shiva, and he has his apologists and staunch devotees within the Hindu traditions. The contrived meaning of "10 headed" as it is propagated by nationalists is that he possessed a very thorough knowledge in the 4 vedas, and 6 upanishadas (although the Upanishads number in their hundreds), which made him as powerful as 10 scholars. However, there is mention in Atharva Veda of demonic brahmans called 'Dasagva' (Ten headed) and 'navagva' (nine headed). These early mythical beings may be the actual forerunners of the later character in the Ramayana.
Ravana is also said to have authored Ravana Sanhita, a powerful book on the Hindu astrology, also known as Kaali Kitab. Ravana possessed a thorough knowledge of Ayurveda and political science. He is said to have possessed the nectar of immortality, which was stored under His navel, thanks to a celestial boon by Brahma. [1]
Contents
[hide]
* 1 Etymology
* 2 Birth
* 3 Tapas to Brahma
* 4 King of Lanka
* 5 Devotee of Lord Shiva
* 6 Emperor of the Three Worlds
* 7 Women
* 8 Depiction in other Scriptures, as Vishnu's cursed doorkeeper
* 9 Ravana's family
* 10 Ravana Temples
* 11 Popular Culture
* 12 Ravana-Dahan (Burning effigy of Ravana)
* 13 References
[edit] Etymology
The name 'Ravana' obtains from the root ru - shabde raavayati iti raavaNaH 'one who makes people criers by his violent actions.'[2] Ravana had many other popular names such as 'Dashanan', 'Lankeshwar', 'Ravanaeshwaran', 'Dashgreev', 'Dashkandhar', 'Vaishravan', all signifying the qualities.
[edit] Birth
Ravana was born to his father Brahmin sage known as Vishrava and his wife, the daitya princess Kaikesi. He was born in the Devagana gotra, as his grandfather, sage Pulastya, was the one of the six human sons of Brahma. Kaikesi's father, Sumali (or Sumalaya), king of the Daityas, wished her to marry the most powerful being in the mortal world, so as to produce an exceptional heir. He rejected the kings of the world, as they were less powerful than him. Kaikesi searched among the sages, and finally chose Vishrava, the father of Kubera. Ravana was thus partly Daitya and partly Brahmin.
His brothers were Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna. Through his mother, he was related to the daityas Maricha and Subahu. Kaikesi also produced a daughter, Meenakshi ("girl with fish like eyes"), although later she was dubbed the infamous Shoorpanakha "winnow-like nails".
His father Vishrava noted that while Ravana was aggressive and arrogant, he was also an exemplary scholar. Under Vishrava's tutelage, Ravana mastered the Vedas and the holy books and also the arts and ways of Kshatriyas (warriors). Ravana was also an excellent veena player and the sign of his flag had a picture of veena on it.[citation needed] Sumali, his grandfather, worked hard in secret to ensure that he retained the ethics of the Daityas.
The Ramayana tells the Ravana had close connections with region of the Yadus, which included Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan up to Mathura south of Delhi. Ravana is believed to be the related to Lavanasura also regarded as a Rakshasa, of Madhupura (Mathura) in the region of the Surasenas, who was conquered & killed by Shatrughana, youngest brother of Rama.
After worshipping a Shiva Linga on the banks of the Narmada, in the more central Yadu region, Ravana was captured and held under the control of King Kartavirya Arjuna, one of the greatest Yadu kings. It is very clear from the references in the Ramayana, That Ravana was no commoner among the Humans or Asuras, a great chanter of the Sama Veda.
It is mentioned in one of the chapters of the Srimada Bhagvata, that Sita was actually his daughter. During one of the Ceremonial Yagya By Lord Shiva, Ravana was given the Boon Water,which he was told to give to Mandodari. While on way back to his kingdom, both the husband & wife slept in a lonely forest. During the night, Ravana felt thirsty, so he drank that water & was impregnated. While on the way back to his kingdom the next day, he coughed ferociously and Sita is said to have landed in Janakpur, The kingdom of King Janaka, who while ploughing in ceremony after performing the Yagya for the rains in his drought hit kingdom, struck a metal vessel with the lowest blade of the plough called Seet, this is how Sita's name originated.[3]
[edit] Tapas to Brahma
Following his initial training, Ravana performed an intense penance to Brahma (the Creator God), lasting several years. Pleased with his austerity, Brahma offered him a boon. Ravana asked for immortality, which Brahma refused to give, but gave him the celestial nectar of immortality. The nectar of immortality, which was stored under his navel, according to which he could never be vanquished till the nectar was dried out.
Ravana then asked for absolute invulnerability and supremacy before gods and heavenly spirits, other demons, serpents, and wild beasts. Contemptuous of mortal men, he did not ask for protection from these. Brahma granted him these boons, and additionally great strength by way of knowledge of divine weapons and sorcery.
[edit] King of Lanka
A traditional depiction of Ravana,
After winning these boons, Ravana sought out his grandfather, Sumali, and assumed leadership over his army. He then set his sights on capturing the island city of Lanka(present day Sri Lanka).
Lanka was an idyllic city, created by the celestial architect Vishwakarma for Kubera, the treasurer of the gods. Kubera had generously shared all that he owned with Ravana and the latter's siblings, who were Kubera's half-brothers and half-sister through his stepmother Kaikesi. However, Ravana demanded Lanka wholly from him, threatening to take it by force. Vishrava, their father, advised Kubera to give it up to him, as Ravana was now undefeatable.
Although Ravana usurped Lanka, he was nevertheless regarded as a benevolent and effective ruler. Lanka flourished under his rule, to the extent that it is said the poorest of houses had vessels of gold to eat and drink off, and hunger was unknown in the kingdom.
[edit] Devotee of Lord Shiva
Ravana lifting mount Kailash - Ellora Caves.
Following his conquest of Lanka, Ravana encountered Shiva at his abode in Kailash. Here Ravana attempted to uproot and move the mountain on a whim. Shiva, annoyed by Ravana's arrogance, pressed his littlest Toe on Kailash, pinning him firmly and painfully under it. His ganas informed Ravana of whom he had crossed, upon which Ravana became penitent. He composed and sang songs praising Shiva, and is said to have done so for years until Shiva released him from his bondage.
Pleased with his resilience and devotion, Shiva gave to him the divine sword Chandrahas ("Moon-blade"). It was during this incident that he acquired the name 'Ravana', meaning "(He) Of the terrifying roar", given to him by Shiva - the earth is said to have quaked at Ravana's cry of pain when the mountain was pinned on him. Ravana in turn became a lifelong devotee of Lord Shiva and is said to have composed the hymn known as Shiva Tandava Stotra.
After Ravana had been given the Celestial juice of Immortality by Brahma, he went on to please Shiva. He cut his head & put it as sacrifice for pleasing Shiva, but Shiva replaced his head with a new one. This was repeated Nine times, on which Shiva was happy & pleased with Ravana's resilience & devotion. Thus he also got name Dassa-sheesha.
[edit] Emperor of the Three Worlds
Ravana in Sanskrit drama of Kerala, India- Kutiyattam. Artist: Guru Nātyāchārya Māni Mādhava Chākyār[4]
His abilities now truly awe-inspiring, Ravana proceeded on a series of campaigns, conquering humans, celestials and other demons. Conquering the netherworld completely, he left his brother Ahiravana as king. He became supreme overlord of all asuras in the three worlds, making an alliance with the Nivatakavachas and Kalakeyas, two clans he was unable to subdue. Conquering several kingdoms of the human world, he performed the suitable sacrifices and was crowned Emperor.
Kubera at one point chastised Ravana for his cruelty and greed, greatly angering him. Proceeding to the heavens, Ravana fought and defeated the devas, singling out his brother for particular humiliation. By force he gained command over the gods, celestials, and the serpent races. At the time of the Ramayana, set several hundred years later, Ravana is shown as dominating all human and divine races - so much so that he can command the Sun's rising and setting.
[edit] Women
Ravana kidnapping Sita and killing Jatayu - By Raja Ravi Varma
Ravana was known for his virility and his aggressive conquests of women. Ravana had several wives, foremost of whom was Mandodari - daughter of Mayasura and an apsara named Hema.
Mandodari was renowned for her wisdom and grace as well as beauty and chastity. She is often compared to Sita, the most beautiful woman described in Indian spiritualism.
In addition to his wives, Ravana maintained a harem of incredible size, populated with women whom he captured in his many conquests, many of them accepted and lived happily in his harem for his great manhood, power, and knowledge of different subjects. Ravana was known to force himself upon any woman who rejected his advances. Two significant encounters occurred that would shape the course of the Ramayana.
The first was the encounter with the sage-woman Vedavati. Vedavati had been performing penance with the intention of winning Lord Vishnu as her husband. Ravana met her at her hermitage, her beauty enhanced by the austerities she had performed. He propositions her and is rejected. Ravana mocks her austerities and her devotion to Vishnu; finding himself firmly rejected at every turn, he tries to molest Vedavati, pulling her hair. This greatly incensed her, and she forthwith cut off her hair, and said she would enter into the fire before his eyes, adding, "Since I have been insulted in the forest by thee who art wicked-hearted, I shall be born again for thy destruction." So she entered the blazing fire, and celestial flowers fell all around. It was she who was born again as Sita, and was the moving cause of Ravana's death, though Rama was the agent.[5]
Vedavati is said to have been reborn as Sita, causing Ravana's death and winning Vishnu (as Rama) as her husband.
The second was his encounter with the apsara Rambha, upon whom he forced himself. Rambha was betrothed to Kubera's son, but her plea that she was like a daughter to him did not deter Ravana. Angered at this, Kubera's son cursed Ravana, stating that his ten heads would fall off if he forced himself upon any woman thereafter. This curse is said to have protected Sita's chastity while she was Ravana's captive for nearly a year.
[edit] Depiction in other Scriptures, as Vishnu's cursed doorkeeper
Ravana as depicted in Yakshagana, popular folk art of Karnataka
In the Bhagavata Purana, Ravana and his brother, Kumbakarna were said to be reincarnations of Jaya and Vijaya, gatekeepers at Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu and were cursed to be born in Earth for their insolence.
These gatekeepers refused entry to the Sanatha Kumara monks, who, because of their powers and austerity appeared as young children. For their insolence, the monks cursed them to be expelled from Vaikunta and to be born on Earth.
God Vishnu agreed that they should be punished, but agreed to mitigate their curse. He asked them whether they wanted seven births as devotees of Vishnu or three births as enemies of the Lord. Since they wanted to return as soon as possible, they agreed to be born in three births as evil-doers. As according to the Vishnu Puarana, once Narada wanted to get the Shape & form of Lord Vishnu, so that he could marry a Princess on whom he had developed infatuation (although it was a Vishnu's mesmerisation. On desperate request of Narada, Lord Vishnu actually made him look like a monkey. Narada straightaway went to the Swayamvara of that Princess. The princess is said to have passed Him three times, when he didn't still realise why he was rejected(as he believed that he looked Like Lord Vishnu). Other Princesses present there made fun out of his Appearance and told him to just have a look at himself before looking at the Princess. He went to a nearby fountain & looked in the water. He was furious to find that he, in fact, looked like a monkey. Lord Vishnu was also present there. Narada cursed him saying that in 'Treta Yuga his beloved wife will get kidnapped by a Demon. He will be compelled to seek help from the monkeys. The two Door Keepers of Lord Vishnu, Jai & Vijay, were also present there laughed uncontrollably at Narada's plight.Enraged he hurled another curse at them as, that they should live on Earth as Demons at that time. Just then when the princess put the Swayamvara Garland on Vishnu's neck and she came to her real incarnation as Goddess Lakshmi. On this Narada realised his mistake and asked for apology from Lord Vishnu. Upon which Vishnu said that, it was bound to happen. Jai & Vijay pleaded to Lord Narada to forgive them. But a curse could never be taken back, so he limited the Curse to Three Lives. Lord Vishnu came to their rescue & said that he would each time he bring them Mokhsha by Killing them & that they would be back in his service after that.
In the first birth,in kritaYuga Jaya and Vijaya were born as Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha. Vishnu incarnated as Varaha and Narasimha and killed them both. In Treta Yuga they were born as Ravana and Kumbhakarna and were killed by Rama. Then in Dwapara Yuga. In their final birth, they were born as Shishupala and Dantavakra, and killed by Sri Krishna. After the end of three births, they returned to Vaikunta.
[edit] Ravana's family
An Effigy of Ravana with burning sparklers on Dusshera. Dashehra Diwali Mela in Manchester, England, 2006.
This section deals with many members of Ravana's family. Since they are hardly mentioned outside the Ramayana, not much can be said about them. They are presented here as they are in the Ramayana, which is viewed by some as being only the point of view of Rama devotees, but is the most complete account of the story that is known.
Ravana was married to Mandodari, the daughter of the celestial architect Maya. He had seven sons from his three wives:
1. Indrajit
2. Prahasta
3. Atikaya
4. Akshayakumara
5. Devantaka
6. Narantaka
7. Trishira
Ravana's paternal grandfather was Pulastya, son of Brahma. Ravana's maternal grandfather was Malyavan, who was against the war with Rama, and his maternal grandmother was Tataki. Ravana also had a maternal uncle, Maricha.
Ravana had six brothers and two sisters:
1. Kubera - the King of North direction and the Guardian of Heavenly Wealth. He was an older half-brother of Ravana: they were born to the same father by different mothers.
2. Vibhishana - A great follower of Sri Rama and one of the most important characters in the Ramayana. As a minister and brother of Ravana, he spoke the Truth without fear and advised Ravana to return Kidnapped Sita and uphold Dharma. Ravana not only rejected this sane advice, but also banished him from his kingdom. Vibhishana sought protection from Sri Rama, which was granted without hesitation. He is known as a great devotee of Sri Rama.
3. Kumbhakarna - One of the most jovial demons in Hindu mythology. When offered a boon by Brahma, he was tricked into asking for unending sleep! A horrified Ravana, out of brotherly love, persuaded Brahma to amend the boon. Brahma mitigated the power of the boon by making Kumbhakarna sleep for six months and being awake for rest six months of a year (in some versions, he is awake for one day out of the year). During the war with Sri Rama, Kumbhakarna was awakened from his sleep. He tried to persuade Ravana to follow Dharmic path and return Sita; seek mercy of Sri Rama. But he too failed to mend the ways of Ravana. However, he fought on the side of Ravana and was killed in the battlefield. Before dying he met Vibhishana and blessed him for following path of righteousness.
4. Khara - King of Janasthan. He protected the northern kingdom of Lanka in the mainland and his kingdom bordered with the Kosala Kingdom, the kingdom of Rama. He was well-known for his superior skills in warfare.
5. Dushana - Viceroy of Janasthan.
6. Ahiravan - King of the Underworld ruled by the rakshasas by Ravana and Demon King Maya.
7. Kumbhini - sister of Ravana and the wife of the demon Madhu, King of Mathura, she was the mother of Lavanasura. She was renowned for her beauty and later retired to the sea for penance.
8. Surpanakha - the evil sister of Ravana. She was the ultimate root of the kidnapping of Sita Devi. She was the one who instigated her brothers to wage a war against Rama.
[edit] Ravana Temples
Despite Valmiki's attempt to portray Ravana [1,2] as a villain, there are several temples where he is worshipped.[6][7][8] Ravana is considered most revered devotee of Lord Shiva. The images of Ravana are seen associated with lord Shiva at some places.
There is a huge Shivalinga in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, supposedly installed by Ravana himself, with a statue of Ravana near by. Both Shivalinga and Ravana are worshiped by the fishermen community there.
In Sri Lanka, a thousand years ago, King Walagamba is said to have constructed cave temples for Ravana in the Ella Valley.
Thousands of Kanyakubja Brahmins of the village Ravangram of Netaran, in the Vidisha District of Madhya Pradesh, perform daily puja (worship) in the Ravan temple and offer naivedyam / bhog (a ritual of sacrifice to the Gods. Centuries ago King Shiv Shankar built a Ravana temple at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The Ravana temple is opened once in a year, on Dashehra Day, to perform puja for the welfare of Ravana.
A Jain temple in Alvar, Rajasthan is called the Ravan Parsvanath Temple. The legend says that Ravana used to worship Parsvanath daily. While Ravana was on tour to Alvar he realized that he forgot to bring the image of Parsvanath. Mandodari, Ravana's wife, is said to have made an image of Parsvanath immediately. And hence the Ravan Parsvanath temple at Alvar.[9]
Ravana is said to have married Princess Mandodari at a place about 32 kilometers away from Jodhpur, which is now called Mandor. There is a mandap (altar or pavilion) where Ravana is said to have married Mandodari, and which the local people call Ravan Jee Ki Chanwari.
At the altar can also be found the images of Saptamatri (Seven Mothers) flanked by Ganesha and Veera Bhadra. The Saptamatri images are said to precede the time of the Pratihara Dynasty (founded in the 6th Century AD) and are in fact reminscent of the images of seven female deities of Harappa - the oldest civilization in India. In the nearby stepwell, a stone bears a script that resembles the Harappan script.
The Dave Brahmins of Mudgal Gotra, Jodhpur/Mandor who were originally from Gujarat, claim to be the descendants of Ravana. The say that since time immemorial they are performing the shraddh (death anniversary) of Ravana on Dashehra Day every year. They offer pind daan and take a bath after that ritual. They recently erected a Ravan temple in Jodhpur, where daily puja is performed.
There is a theory proposed by Sinhalese nationlists that points to the southern part of Sri Lanka as the capital of Ravana, hence the name Ruhuna came to existence. "Ruhuna" is claimed to be derived from the word's Ravana Pura or Rohana Pura, despite the liguistic improbability of 'va' becoming 'ha' in Prakrit. This is probably an attempt to tie Ravana with the history of that other national hero: Duttagamini, who was a king from that region.
[edit] Popular Culture
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Ravana has been depicted as a cybernetic being possessing great powers in the Virgin Comics series Ramayan 3392 A.D.. In this series, Ravana is shown to be devoid of any human feeling and only embodies pure evil.
In an animated television film named after the Ramayana, Ravana is a luxury-loving, arrogant emperor who kidnaps Sita (as suggested above) to punish Rama for the mutilation of Shoorpanakha. He is mostly shown as an ordinary man, albeit with pointed ears and the ability to change shape. When he is angry or combating Rama, he assumes the commonly perceived features of multiple heads and (except in the first such scene) twenty arms.
Ashok K. Banker, a novelist who wrote a fantasy series featuring the Ramayan's basic storyline and characters, depicted Ravana as a dark lord capable of projecting himself into inanimate objects, of demonic possession, and of other feats of magic. Nearly all the legends described above are ascribed to him, but his character undergoes some significant changes throughout the series. He is at first depicted as an archvillain, but evolves gradually into a thing of smaller scale, ultimately to the point of seeming fully human despite his ten heads. When he goes to face Rama for the last time, Ravana is fully aware that he will die in this battle and seems to know the histories of all of his own previous incarnations. He is shot down dramatically and dies with elegance.
Rama has also been depicted in the original(but non-canon) "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" novel, "Resurrecting Ravana" by Ray Garton. In the novel, Gile's old foe Ethan Rayne cons the granddaughter of Benson Lovecraft out of a statue of Ravana, planning to resurrect the God with the aid of the Rakshasa, lesser demons which induce close friends to argue and eventually brutally kill each other.
Ravana, a powerful boss fight appears as only one of dozens of references to Hindu mythology in Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga
[edit] Ravana-Dahan (Burning effigy of Ravana)
Effigy of Ravana is burnt on Vijayadashami, in India at many places. It is said that it is symbolization of triumph ove evil (i.e. Ravana) by Rama.
Ravana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ravana (Rāvaṇa, also known by other names) is the Rakshasa king of Lanka (identified with modern-day Sri Lanka) and the primary antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana. In the classic text, he is mainly depicted negatively, kidnapping the protagonist Rama's wife Sita, to claim vengeance on Rama and his brother Lakshmana for having cut off the nose of his sister Surpanakha and is finally killed by Rama in the climactic battle.
Ravana is depicted and described as having ten heads. The ten-headed Ravana is also sometimes depicted with only nine heads because he has sacrificed a head to convince Lord Shiva. He is described as a devout follower of the god Shiva, a great scholar, a capable ruler and a maestro of the Veena. He has his apologists and staunch devotees within the Hindu traditions. Ravana also authored Ravana Sanhita, a book on Hindu astrology. Ravana possessed a thorough knowledge of Ayurveda and political science. He is said to have possessed the nectar of immortality, which was stored inside his belly, thanks to a celestial boon by Brahma.[1] According to some theories, he was a historical emperor who reigned over Sri Lanka from 2554 BC to 2517 BC.[2]
The name Ravana (or Ravaṇa) means "Sun race" as Rasignifies the sun and vana signifies generation.[3] Ravana had many other popular names such as Dasis Ravana, Dashaanan, Raavan, Ravula, Lankeshwar, Lankeshwaran, Ravanaeshwaran all signifying the qualities of his life. Ravana was a cross of Brahmin and Rakshasa thus attaining a status of Brahmarakshasa.
In the age of the Ramayana epic written by Valmiki, Ravana was the most powerful Tamil King of Lankapuri.[4][5][6] His race from the maternal side was that of Raksha/Rakshasa and from his paternal side was of Prajapti(Lord Brahma's descendents). He was an Agnihotri brahman and a great devotee of Lord Shiva.
Variations of the names(alphabetically) include the following:
Bengali: রাবণ Raabon
Burmese: ရာဝဏ [jàwəna̰]
Devanagari:रावण Raavaṇ
Gujarati: રાવણ
Indonesian: Rahwana
Javanese: Rahwana or Dasamuka (from Daśamukha or 'ten-faced')
Kannada:ರಾವಣ Raavana
Kashmiri: Raavun
Khmer: Rabana or Rab, Krong Reap
Lao: Raphanasuan
Malay: Rawana or Wana
Malayalam: രാവണന് Raavanan
Maranao: Lawana
Marathi: रावण Raawan
Nepali: रावण Rawan
Thai: ราวณะ Rawana or corrupted as ราพณ์ Rap, but more commonly ทศกัณฐ์ Thotsakan (from Dashakantha or 'ten-necked')
Tamil: இராவணன் Iraavanan
Telugu:రావణాసురుడు Rāvaṇasurdu
Sanskrit:Rāvaṇa
Sinhalese: රාවණ Ravana
Yuan: Rahbanasun
Marwari: Raavan Murarka
Oriya: ରାବଣ Rabana
He is known as Dashahisa: Ten Heads
Ravana was born to a great sage Vishrava (or Vesamuni), and his wife, the daitya princess Kaikesi. He was born in the Devagana, as his grandfather, the sage Pulastya, was one of the ten Prajapatis or mind-born sons of Brahma and one of the Saptarishi (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the first Manvantara. Kaikesi's father, Sumali (or Sumalaya), king of the Daityas, wished her to marry the most powerful being in the mortal world, so as to produce an exceptional heir. He rejected the kings of the world, as they were less powerful than him. Kaikesi searched among the sages and finally chose Vishrava, the father of Kubera. Ravana was a Daitya or Rakshasa and he belonged to the caste of Brahmins. Ravana later usurped Sri Lanka from his half brother Kubera and became the King of Lanka.
Rama had once addresed Ravana as a "Maha Brahmin" (Great Brahmin).
His brothers were Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna (some sources mention of another brother called Ahiravana). Through his mother, he was related to the daityas Maricha and Subahu. Kaikesi also gave birth to a daughter, "Chandranakha" ("girl with moon-like face"), although later she was dubbed the infamous Shoorpanakha "winnow-like nails".
Father Vishrava noted that while Ravana was aggressive and arrogant, he was also an exemplary scholar. Under Vishrava's tutelage, Ravana mastered the Vedas, the holy books, and also the arts and ways of Kshatriyas (warriors). Ravana was also an excellent veena player and the sign of his flag had a picture of veena on it.[citation needed] Sumali, his maternal grandfather, worked hard in secret to ensure that Ravana retained the ethics of the Daityas.
The Ramayana tells that Ravana had close connections with region of the Yadus, which included Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan up to Mathura south of Delhi. Ravana is believed to be related to Lavanasura, also regarded as a Rakshasa, of Madhupura (Mathura) in the region of the Surasenas, who was conquered & killed by Shatrughna, youngest brother of Rama.
After worshiping a Shiva Linga on the banks of the Narmada, in the more central Yadu region, Ravana was captured and held under the control of King Kartavirya Arjuna, one of the greatest Yadu kings. It is very clear from the references in the Ramayana that Ravana was no commoner among the Humans or Asuras, a great chanter of the Sama Veda.
Tapasya to Brahma[edit source | editbeta]
Following his initial training, Ravana performed an intense penance (or tapasya) to Brahma (the Creator God), lasting several years. During his penance, Ravana chopped off his head 10 times as a sacrifice to appease him. Each time he sliced his head off a new head arose, thus enabling him to continue his penance. At last, Brahma, pleased with his austerity, appeared after his 10th decapitation and offered him a boon. Ravana asked for immortality, which Brahma refused to give, but gave him the celestial nectar of immortality. The nectar of immortality, stored under his navel, dictated that he could not be vanquished for as long as it lasted.
Ravana also asked for absolute invulnerability from and supremacy over gods, heavenly spirits, other rakshas, serpents, and wild beasts. Contemptuous of mortal men, he did not ask for protection from these. Brahma granted him these boons in addition to his 10 severed heads and great strength by way of knowledge of divine weapons and magic. Thus Ravana known as 'Dasamukha' or 'Dashaanan' (Dasa = ten, mukha/anan = face).
King of Lanka[edit source | editbeta]
After winning these boons, Ravana sought out his grandfather, Sumali, and assumed leadership over his army. He then set his sights on capturing the island city of Lanka .
Lanka was an idyllic city, created by the celestial architect Vishwakarma for Siva and Acquired by Kubera , the treasurer of the gods upon advice of his father Visravas. Kubera had generously shared all that he owned with Ravana and the latter's siblings, who were Kubera's half-brothers and half-sister through his stepmother Kaikesi. However, Ravana demanded Lanka wholly from him, threatening to take it by force. Vishrava, their father, advised Kubera to give it up to him, as Ravana was now undefeatable.[citation needed]
Although Ravana usurped Lanka, he was nevertheless regarded as a benevolent and effective ruler. Lanka flourished under his rule, to the extent that it is said the poorest of houses had vessels of gold to eat and drink off, and hunger was unknown in the kingdom.
Following his conquest of Lanka, Ravana encountered Shiva at his abode in Kailash. Ravana at first went to meet Shiva. Nandi the vehicle of Shiva, refused to let Ravana in. He got annoyed and started teasing Nandi. Nandi in turn got annoyed and cursed Ravana that Lanka would be destroyed by a monkey. To show Nandi his love for Shiva, Ravana attempted to uproot and move the mountain on a whim. Shiva, annoyed by Ravana's arrogance, pressed his littlest toe on Kailash, pinning him firmly and painfully under it. His ganas informed Ravana of whom he had crossed, upon which Ravana became penitent. He plucked his nerves and used them as strings to compose music and sang songs praising Shiva, and is said to have done so for years until Shiva released him from his bondage.
Pleased with his resilience and devotion, Shiva gave to him the divine sword Chandrahas (Chandra-Moon, Has-laugh, literally 'the laughter of the moon' but referring to the shape formed by a crescent moon which resembles a smile). It was during this incident that he acquired the name 'Ravana', meaning "(He) Of the terrifying roar", given to him by Shiva – the earth is said to have quaked at Ravana's cry of pain when the mountain was pinned on him. Ravana in turn became a lifelong devotee of Lord Shiva and is said to have composed the hymn known as Shiva Tandava Stotra.
Lord Shiva had given his sword Chandrahasa with a warning that if it was used for unjust causes, it would return to the three eyed one and Ravana's days would be numbered. After Ravana had been given the Celestial juice of Immortality by Brahma, he went on to please Shiva. He cut his head & put it as sacrifice for pleasing Shiva, but Shiva replaced his head with a new one. This was repeated Nine times, on which Shiva was happy & pleased with Ravana's resilience & devotion.
Emperor of the Three Worlds[edit source | editbeta]
Ravana in Sanskrit drama of Kerala, India- Kutiyattam. Artist: Guru Nātyāchārya Māni Mādhava Chākyār[7]
His abilities now truly awe-inspiring, Ravana proceeded on a series of campaigns, conquering humans, celestials and other demons. Conquering the netherworld completely, he left his brother Ahiravana as king. He became supreme overlord of all asuras in the three worlds, making an alliance with the Nivatakavachas and Kalakeyas, two clans he was unable to subdue. Conquering several kingdoms of the human world, he performed the suitable sacrifices and was crowned Emperor.
Kubera at one point chastised Ravana for his cruelty and greed, greatly angering him. Proceeding to the heavens, Ravana fought and defeated the devas, singling out his brother for particular humiliation. By force he gained command over the devas, celestials, and the serpent races. At the time of the Ramayana, set several years later, Ravana is shown as dominating all human and divine races – so much so that he can command sun's rising and setting.
Depiction in other Scriptures, as Vishnu's cursed doorkeeper[edit source | editbeta]
In the Bhagavata Purana, Ravana and his brother, Kumbhakarna were said to be reincarnations of Jaya and Vijaya, gatekeepers at Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu and were cursed to be born in Earth for their insolence.
These gatekeepers refused entry to the Sanatha Kumara monks, who, because of their powers and austerity appeared as young children. For their insolence, the monks cursed them to be expelled from Vaikuntha and to be born on Earth.
Lord Vishnu agreed that they should be punished. They were given two choices, that they could be born about 7(Seven) times as normal mortals and devotees of Vishnu, or 3 times as powerful and strong people, but as enemies of Vishnu. Eager to be back with the Lord, they choose the latter one. Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna were born to fulfill the curse on the second birth as enemies of Vishnu in the Treta Yuga. The curse of first birth was fulfilled by Hiranyakashipu and his brother Hiranyaksha in Satya Yuga when they were both vanquished by earlier avatars of Vishnu (Hiranyaksha by Varaaha and Hiranyakashipu by Narasimha) and the curse of third birth was fulfilled by Dantavakra and Shishupala in the Dwapar Yuga when they both were slain by Krishna, the eighth avatar.
Ravana's family[edit source | editbeta]
Queen Mandodari and the women of Lanka mourning the death of Ravana. Bas-relief of 9th century Prambanan temple, Java, Indonesia
This section deals with many members of Ravana's family. Since they are hardly mentioned outside the Ramayana, not much can be said about them. They are presented here as they are in the Ramayana, which is viewed by some as being only the point of view of Rama devotees, but is the most complete account of the story that is known.
Ravana's grandfather was Malyavan, who was against the war with Rama.
Ravana's parents were Vishrava (son of Pulastya) and Kaikesi (daughter of Sumali and Thataka). Kaikesi had two brothers Maricha and Subahu which would effectively make them Ravana's uncles.
Ravana had six brothers and two sisters:
Kubera – the King of North direction and the Guardian of Heavenly Wealth. He was an older half-brother of Ravana: they were born to the same father by different mothers.
Vibhishana – A great follower of Rama and one of the most important characters in the Ramayana. As a minister and brother of Ravana, he spoke the Truth without fear and advised Ravana to return the kidnapped Seetha and uphold Dharma. Ravana not only rejected this sane advice, but also banished him from his kingdom. Vibhishana sought protection from Rama, which was granted without hesitation. He is known as a great devotee of Rama.
Kumbhakarna – One of the most jovial demons in Hindu history. When offered a boon by Brahma, he was tricked into asking for eternal sleep! A horrified Ravana, out of brotherly love, persuaded Brahma to amend the boon. Brahma mitigated the power of the boon by making Kumbhakarna sleep for six months and being awake for rest six months of a year (in some versions, he is awake for one day out of the year). During the war with Rama, Kumbhakarna was untimely awakened from his sleep. He tried to persuade Ravana to open negotiations with Rama and return Seetha to him. But he too failed to mend the ways of Ravana. However, bound by a brother's duty, he fought on the side of Ravana and was killed in the battlefield. Before dying he met Vibhishana and blessed him for following path of righteousness.
Khara – King of Janasthan.[8] He protected the northern kingdom of Lanka in the mainland and his kingdom bordered with the Kosala Kingdom, the kingdom of Rama. He was well known for his superior skills in warfare.
Dushana – Viceroy of Janasthan.
Ahiravan – King of the Underworld ruled by the rakshasas by Ravana and Demon King Maya.
Kumbhini – Sister of Ravana and the wife of the demon Madhu, King of Mathura, she was the mother of Lavanasura. She was renowned for her beauty and later retired to the sea for penance.
Surpanakha – The sister of Ravana. She was the ultimate root of the kidnapping of Sita. She was the one who instigated her brothers to wage a war against Rama.
Ravana was married to Mandodari, the daughter of the celestial architect Maya, Dhanyamalini, and a third wife. He had seven sons from his three wives:
Meghnaad (also known as Indrajit because he defeated Lord Indra), the most powerful son
Yohmoththa
Atikaya
Akshayakumara
Devantaka
Narantaka
Trishira
Mantha
In the great Bengali ballad, Meghnad Bodh Kavya by Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Beerbahu is said to be Ravana's son. Thus, it can be reasonably thought that Beerbahu is famous in another name.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravana
Jai Ho Lankeshwar ..
hamko
bulaya
nange pair
apne ghar
apna hath
rakha mere
sar ,,dala
hirday main
prem nikala
sara dar
itna kamyab
banaya ke
na dhoondna
pada koie
dusra daftar
main mera
camera
jisme basi
hai shiva
ki teesri ankh
mera eklauta
hamsafar
mere teen
shest guru
maheshwariji
malushteji
aur chal base
black and white
bw jatkar
The Humility Of Art -At Ramilila
I miss shooting the Ramlila , the camaraderie between the artists , helpers volunteers all male , each one is multifaceted , one can be an actor but also the make up artist ,,
The actors mostly from North India , fascinated with Mumbai , specially the child artistes.
This was one genre of photography that got me close to all of them..
Satyanarayan Puja
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Satyanarayana is a Hindu religious observance. It is a ritual performed by Hindus before/on any major occasion like marriage, house warming ceremony etc. It can also be performed on any day for any reason. It finds first mention in skandha puran
The Satyanarayana Puja is usually done on the Purnima day of every month (the day of the full moon) or a Sankranti. It is also done on special occasions and during times of achievements as an offering of gratitude to the Lord. These occasions include marriage, graduation, new job, and the purchase of a new home to name a few. In addition, it is said that a devotional performance of this puja will bear children to couples trying to start a family.
ri Satyanarayana Vratam, Puja are very popular in Andhra Pradesh India. Almost all Hindus, throughout Andhra Pradesh, have strong faith, belief, and devotion towards Sriman Narayana, an incarnation of Vishnu. There is a very ancient, famous temple for Sri Satyanarayana Swamy at Annavaram, near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. This vratam is performed daily there. Daily, large numbers of devotees, many with families, visit the temple, offer prayers, perform this Vratam there, right in the temple. This place is one of the very important pilgrimages.
[edit]Procedure
A painting of Narayana (Vishnu) seated on lotus
The puja starts by a prayer to Lord Ganesha, to remove all obstacles that may occur as a result of incorrectly performing the puja. This is done by chanting all the names of Lord Ganesha and offering prasad (a food offering, usually consisting of one of Lord Ganesha's favorite foods - modak, a sugar and coconut mixture, or laddu) and the showering of flower petals.
Another part of the prayer involves a prayer to the Navagraha's - the nine important celestial beings in the universe. They consist of Surya (the Sun), Chandra (the moon), Angaaraka/Chevaai (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru aka Bruhaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Sani (Saturn), Rahu (the head of the Demon snake), and Ketu (the tail of the Demon snake).
The rest of the puja consists of worship to Satyanarayana, an extremely benevolent form of Lord Vishnu. First "panchamritam" is used to clean the place where the deity is placed. After placing the deity in the correct position, Satyanaraya swami is worshipped. Names of Satyanarayana are chanted along with offering of a variety of prasad (including a mixture of milk, honey, ghee/butter, yogurt, sugar) and flower petals.
Another requirement of the puja is that the story of the puja be heard among all those observing and partaking in the puja. The story involves the origin of the puja, the benefits of it, and the potential mishaps that may occur with the forgetting performance of the puja.
The prayer concludes with an Aarti, which consists of revolving a small fire-lit-lamp in the vicinity of an image of the Lord. After the puja is over, participants and observers of the puja are required to ingest in the prasad that was offered and blessed by the Lord......
[edit]Puja (Prayer) Vidhi (performing method)
The Satyanarayan Puja is performed in reverence to the Narayan form of Lord Vishnu. The Lord in this form is considered an embodiment of truth.
Performing this puja in the evening is considered more appropriate. However one can do it in the morning as well. On the day of the puja, the devotee has to fast. After bathing the person can begin the puja.
[edit]Materials needed for the puja
Satyanarayana Puja preparation
'Sinni': A special type of food offering, which is prepared by mixing unboiled milk, flour, sugar, smashed bananas, and other flavours like cinnamon etc., or optional garnishing like groundnuts, cashews, cherries, crushed coconuts/fruits etc.
Kumkum powder, turmeric powder, rangoli
Incense sticks, camphor.
Thirty betel leaves, thirty betel nuts, two coconuts.
Five almonds,
Flowers to offer
One thousand tulsi leaves; banana tree as a canopy [1]
One square shaped wooden platform
Two copper jars, two plates.
One shawl
A mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, ghee to make the panchamrita, Sandal paste.
Akshat (rice grains) with turmeric powder.
Attar, Indian perfume.
Two flower garlands, conch shell, bell, a cloth, a ghee lamp and an oil lamp.
1 kg of raw rice
1 kg of sajjige as prasadam
6 numbers of coconuts after completing each katha.
The Satyanarayana Puja is a Hindu religious observance. It is a ritual performed by Hindus before/on any major occasion like marriage, house warming ceremony etc. It can also be performed on any day for any reason. The Satyanarayana Puja is unique in that it does not require a Brahmin to perform.
The Satyanarayana Puja is usually done on the Pournami day of every month (full moon day), ekadasi (11th day after full moon or new moon), kartheeka paurnami, vaisakha paurnami, solar eclipse day or on Sankranti except during Ashada masam. It is also done on special occasions and during times of achievements as an offering of gratitude to the Lord. These occasions include marriage, graduation, new job, and the purchase of a new home to name a few. In addition, it is said that a devotional performance of this puja will bear children to couples trying to start a family. Summary of the puja process:
The puja starts by a prayer to Lord Ganesha, to remove all obstacles that may occur as a result of incorrectly performing the puja. This is done by chanting all the names of Lord Ganesha and offering prasad (a food offering, usually consisting of one of Lord Ganesha’s favorite foods – modak, a sugar and coconut mixture, or lhadu) and the showering of flower petals.
Another part of the prayer involves a prayer to the Navagraha’s – the nine important celestial beings in the universe. They consist of Surya (the Sun), Chandra (the moon), Angaaraka/Chevaai (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru aka Bruhaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Sani (Saturn), Rahu (the head of the Demon snake), and Ketu (the tail of the Demon snake).
The rest of the puja consists of worship to Satyanarayana, an extremely benevolent form of Lord Vishnu. First “panchamritam” is used to clean the place where the deity is placed. After placing the deity in the correct position, Satyanaraya swami is worshipped. Names of Satyanarayana are chanted along with offering of a variety of prasad (including a mixture of milk, honey, ghee/butter, yogurt, sugar) and flower petals.
Another requirement of the puja is that the story of the puja be heard among all those observing and partaking in the pooja. The story involves the origin of the puja, the benefits of it, and the potential mishaps that may occur with the careless performance of the puja.
The prayer concludes with an Aarti, which consists of revolving a small fire-lit-lamp in the vicinity of an image of the Lord. After the puja is over, participants and observers of the pooja are required to ingest in the prasad that was offered and blessed by the Lord.
It is told that Satyanarayan Katha is in REVA volume of Skanda Purana. But this volume is devoted to pilgrimages on the valley of river REVA. In Satyanarayana there is no Reva river. In original Skanda Purana there is nothing like Satyanarayana. Recent Skanda Puranas added it with clear note of its new addition in Skanda. Puja vidhanam:
The Satyanarayan Puja is performed in reverence to the Narayan form of Lord Vishnu. The Lord in this form is considered an embodiment of truth. This puja is conducted to ensure abundance in ones life. Many people carry out this puja immediately after or along with an auspicious occasion like a marriage or moving into a new house or any other success in life. It is believed the ceremony originated in Bengal as Satya Pir and was later adapted into Satyanarayan puja.
The Satyanarayan puja can be performed on any day. It is not a puja confined to any festivities. But Poornima (full moon day) or Sankranti are considered to be most auspicious day for this puja.
Performing this puja in the evening is considered more appropriate. However one can do it in the morning as well. On the day of the puja, the devotee has to fast. After bathing the person can begin the puja. Materials required for puja:
‘Sinni’: A special type of food offering, which is prepared by mixing unboiled milk, flour, sugar, smashed bananas, and other flavours like cinnamon etc., or optional garnishing like groundnuts, cashews, cherries, crushed coconuts/fruits etc.
Kumkum powder, turmeric powder, rangoli
Incense sticks, camphor.
Thirty betel leaves, thirty betel nuts, two coconuts.
Five almonds,
Flowers to offer
One thousand tulsi leaves; banana tree as a canopy[2]
One square shaped wooden platform
Two copper jars, two plates.
One shawl
A mixture of milk, curd, honey, sugar, ghee to make the panchamrita, Sandal paste.
Akshat (rice grains) with kumkum powder.
Attar, Indian perfume.
Two flower garlands, conch shell, bell, a cloth, a ghee lamp and an oil lamp.
To prepare Prasadam:
You need to prepare halwa with sugar and suji by using atleast 5 measures of rava.
Fruits
Panchamrutam (made by mixing 1cup milk, 1tbsp curd, 1tsp ghee, 1 sliced banana, 2tsp honey
Other suggestions for items needed for puja:
Coconuts
Flowers
Betel leaves
Prasadam (wheat flour)
New blouse piece
Brass/silver vessel(chembu) for kalasam
Panakam
Vadapappu
Fruits
Agarbatti
Deepams
Sri Satyanarana Swami Katha:
Shri Satyanarayana katha (narrative) comes from the Skandha purana, Reva kaanda. Suta Maharshi narrated these stories, in Neimishaaranya to the Rishis who were performing a 1 ,000 year yagna for the benefit of mankind lead by Shounakji.
For those who observe the fast religiously and regularly, there are some great lessons to be learned from the ‘katha’ (narration)
This is shown by characters who ignored their promise to perform the puja after their wish had been fulfilled. They suffered as a result. Therefore one is to deduce that one must stick to the promise given to the Lord in exchange of the desire fulfilled by His Grace. One is not to ignore or/and forget the Lord’s Grace. Prasad is symbolic of God’s Grace which Kalavati ignored as she learned of her husband’s safe return.
One can understand her eagerness in wanting to be re-united with her beloved, but one must understand that if one forgets to be thankful for gifts received from the Lord, one would have to go through another test until one remembers to remember.
When the rich merchant is asked what the boat contains, he untruthfully replies ‘Only dry leaves’ and the Mendicant says ‘So be it’ The above incident tells us that the spoken word has power. What you speak, manifests. Hence one must not speak an untruth. Especially an inauspicious untruth.
In the last story one learns that no one is higher or lower in status in the eyes of the Lord. Hence one must accord respect to whoever it may be, who is taking the name of God. Katha details: Story 1:
Suta Maharshi narrated the stories. Once upon a time while travelling the three worlds, Narada Maharshi reached Bhoolokam (Earth) and saw the human beings immense suffering. He then went to the abode of Lord Sri Satyanarayana Swami (the benevolent form of Lord Vishnu), who alone can relieve the mankind from the sufferings. There he met the Lord Vishnu with four arms each with Shankha, Chakra, Gadha & Padma, wearing Tulsi Mala (garland) in his neck. Narada Maharshi then asked the lord for a panacea for the miseries of the world. Lord Sri Satyanarayana told Narada Maharshi that there is a fast and puja which can be performed by anyone to overcome these obstacles. The Lord said, “Anyone who performs Shri Satyanarayan Swami’s Vratham & Puja in the right way they will get all the pleasures on earth & will reach their goal”. The fast would result in the fulfillment of his desires and also liberation from the cycle of birth and death into attaining moksha (salvation). Whosoever performs Shri Satyanarayana Swami’s Katha with a Brahmin and with his family with full rites/rituals, they will be relieved off their sufferings and sorrows. They will be bestowed with wealth & wisdom, they will be blessed with children and they will get overall victory & increased devotion.
For this prayer, one requires ripe bananas, ghee, milk & choori (made with wheat flour, ghee & sugar). After the prayers, all present must have the prasadam & then take their meals together, & then sing, praise, & chant mantras of Shri Satyanarayana Swami. By doing this, their wishes will be fulfilled. This vratham in kaliyugam gives boon (reward) very quickly.
This chapter of Lord Satyanarayana Swami is over. All chant together (say) Shri Satyanarayana ki jai. Story 2:
Lord Satyanarayana then narrated to Narada Maharshi how and who performed the puja first. In a place named Sunder Kashipur, there used to live a very innocent brahmin. In hunger & thirst he used to roam begging for his daily bread. When the Lord saw the Brahmin in sorrow and begging daily, he disguised himself as an old Brahmin & asked him, “On Brahmana, why are you so sad. Please tell me all about your difficulties. Is there any way I could help you?”. The Brahmin replied, “I am a poor Brahmin & I roam daily for bread. Do you know if there is any way to come out of all this sorrow?”. Then the Lord in the guise of a brahmin said “Lord Satyanarayana grants all the wishes of all the people if his puja and fast is performed diligently. If you pray to him & keep his fast you will overcome all your sorrow and get moksha”. After telling him all the details of the prayer and the fast, Lord disappeared. The poor brahmin could not sleep that night. He kept thinking of the fast and the prayer which the Lord had asked him to do. In the morning, he woke up with the thought that somehow he must perform the puja and so thinking went out for his biksha (alms). On that day the Brahmin got a lot of money. He used to buy all the necessary things for the prayer. He called his family and performed Lord Satyanarayana’s prayer. By doing so, the Brahmin overcame all his sorrows & became rich. From then onwards, he performed the prayers every month without fail. Thus whoever performs Lord Satyanarayana Swami’s puja, they will be relieved from all sorrows.
The Lord then narrated another story. The same Brahmin now a rich person performed the prayer every month without fail with his family. Once a Brahmin was in between his prayer when a wood-cutter passed by. After keeping the bundle of wood outside the brahmin’s house, he went in to quench his thirst. The thirsty wood-cutter saw the brahmin performing the Satyanarayana Vratham. He bowed down to the Brahmin & asked him, “Oh Brahmana, what are you doing, please tell me.” The Brahmin replied, “I am performing the vratham of Lord Satyanarayana Swami. One who accomplishes this will overcome all obstacles and their wishes will be granted. They will attain wealth and wisdom. I have aquired my wealth also in the same way.” After hearing about the prayer and drinking the water, the wood-cutter felt happy. He ate the prasadam from the puja and left for his house.
Thinking of Lord Satyanarayana in his mind, he said “Whatever money I make from selling wood today, I will use it to perform the Satyanaraya Swami vratham.” So thinking, he loaded the bundle of wood onto his head and left for his home. Along the way home he went roaming in Sunder Nagar selling the wood. On that day, he got four times more money than what he made usually out of the wood sale. Feeling happy, he went and bought all the necessary things for the prayers (ie. ripe bananas, sugar, ghee, wheat flour, etc). On reaching his house and after cleaning himself, he called his family and did the prayer with due respect. He became rich and aquired all the pleasures of life. At the end of his life he went to heaven.
This chapter of Lord Satyanarayana Swami is over. All chant together (say) Shri Satyanarayana ki jai. Story 3:
This story consists of a childless merchant and his adventures. There was a wise king named Ulkamuk. He had a pious and beautiful wife. He would go to the temple daily and would give charity to the Brahmins. One day near the banks of river Madhushala, where they were performing Lord Shri Satyanarayana’s vratham, a wealthy merchant was passing by. He anchored his boat, went to the king and asked him, “Oh King, please let me know the details about the vratham you are performing with such devotion”. The king replied that he was performing the Lord Satyanarayana Swami’s vratham. He said that one who performs this vratham will gain worldy pleasures and attain salvation. The merchant with much eager asked him the details stating that, “Oh King, I would like to know the details as I am childless and would like to perform this vratham”. The king gladly gave the entire details about the vratham and its vidhanam.
After aquiring the entire details of the vratham, the merchant and his wife decided to perform the fast if they get a child. Sometime later his wife Lilavati became pregnant and she delivered a girl who they called Kalavati. The merchant’s wife Lilavati reminded him about his promise to keep the fast and perform the vratham. The merchant postponed it saying that he would do so when the daughter is ready to be married. The merchant told his wife that during the time of Kalawati’s wedding it would be easy to the fast for at the moment he was busy in his business. So saying he left for his business trip to various villages.
Kalawati grew up to be a beautiful girl. When the merchant saw his daughter was of marriageable age; he called the match-maker and requested him to search an ideal match for his daughter. Hearing the merchant’s request, the match-maker reached Kanchan Nagar. From there, he brought the proposal of a young handsome boy. Agreeing to the proposal and after speaking to the boy’s parents, Kalavati’s marriage was performed with much fanfare and religious ceremonies & rituals. All this while the merchant forgot about the promise to perform the Satyanarayana vratham and so the Lord decided to remind the merchant about his promise.
The merchant, after a few days, left for his business trip with his son-in-law by boat. They anchored their boat in a beautiful village, named Ratanpur ruled by King Chandraketu. One day, the thieves robbed the wealth of the king. After robbing they went and stayed at the same place where the merchant was staying. Seeing the guards following them, they left the entire loot near the merchant and then hid themselves. When the guards reached the merchant’s place, they saw all the king’s wealth beside the merchant and his son-in-law. Thinking them to be robbers, they arrested them and brought them before the king stating that they were responsible for the theft. The king, without giving any chance of explaining their case ordered both be confined to behind bars. Even their wealth was confiscated by the king.
While at the merchant’s house, the thieves robbed their entire wealth. This left his wife and daughter to beg for their daily bread. One day while begging for food, Kalawati reached a Brahmin’s house. At that time the brahmin and his family were performing Lord Satyanarayana’s puja. After listening to the prayer and& taking the prasadam, she left for home. By the time she reached home it was already dark.
Leelawati was worried. She asked her daughter Kalawati, why it took her so much time to come home. Kalawati replied, “Oh Mother, today I was at a Brahmin’s house where they were performing Lord Satyanarayana’s vratham.” On hearing this, Leelawati recollected the long pending promise by her husband and narrated it to her daughter. She soon began the preparations for the Lord Satyanarayana vratham. She did the fast & prayer and asked the Lord for forgiveness. She prayed that her husband and her son-in-law return home safely.
Lord Satyanarayana was pleased with the prayer and the fast. One day, he told King Chandraketu in his dream, “Oh King, You must release the merchant and his son-in-law as they are not the robbers. Return their wealth and set them free. If you do not do so, your kingdom will be destroyed.” In the morning, the king called the people in his court and told them about the dream.
The people they agreed that the merchant and his son-in-law should be released by the king. The king asked the guards to bring the prisoners returned all their belongings and set them free. The king told them that due to their wrong-doings, they had to undergo this suffering, but now there was nothing to fear & they could go back home. They bowed down to the king & left for home.
This chapter of Lord Satyanarayana is over. All chant together (say) Shri Satyanarayana ki jai. Story 4:
The merchant prayed first and then gave some wealth to the Brahmin before starting his journey for home. When they went little further, Lord Satyanarayana wanted to test them. He disguised as an old man and went up to the merchant. The Lord asked, “What is in your boat, give me little from there.” The merchant in arrogance and pride, replied, “Oh Old man, we have nothing in our boat except hay and leaves.” On hearing such harsh words from the merchant, the Lord said, “Your words shall be true”. So saying, he went from there and sat on the bank of the river.
When the Lord went away, the boat started to rise higher in the water. The merchant was surprised at this. He went to check inside the boat. To his shock he saw that his boat which was filled with his wealth now contains only leaves and hay. Seeing this he fainted. When he came to his senses, he said “How could this happen?” His son-in-law meanwhile told him, “Do not cry over this. All has happened because you spoke harshly to the old man and lied to him. Still, nothing is lost. You could go back to him and ask him for his forgiveness. He may set everything right.”
The merchant, after hearing the words of his son-in-law went in search of the old man. He bowed down before him and with respect said, “Oh Lord, please forgive me for the words I have spoken.” So saying, he bowed down with tears of sorrow in his eyes. When the Lord, saw the merchant in his state of sorrow and crying for forgiveness, he said, “Oh foolish person, due to your deeds, you have seen all this sorrow & suffering.”
On hearing the merchant’s words filled with bhakti, the Lord was happy & he turned the boat full of wealth. When the merchant mounted his boat and saw it full with wealth again, he thanked the Lord & said, “With Lord Satyanarayana’s grace, my wish is fulfilled. When I reach home, I will do his prayer & fast”, so saying he left for his home.
When the merchant saw that his home-town Ratanpur is nearing, he sent a messenger in advance, to his house to inform his wife & daughter of his arrival. The messenger, on reaching the merchant’s house, bowed down to the merchant’s wife & gave them the most awaited news that the merchant & his son-in-law have reached Ratanpur.
Leelawati had just finished doing her Satyanarayana Puja meanwhile. She told her daughter to finish doing the prayer and then come & receive her husband & her father. Kalawati finished doing her quickly & without taking the prasadam left to meet her husband. The Lord got angry at her for this, and so he drowned her husband with the boat. When Kalawati did not see her husband; she was shocked and she fainted on the floor.
On seeing his daughter and the sudden disappearance of the boat, the merchant was shocked. He prayed to Lord Satyanarayana, asked him for his forgiveness and prayed to the Lord to take them out of this difficulty. The Lord said to the merchant, “Oh merchant, your daughter, in a hurry to meet her husband has left my prasadam. When she goes back and takes the prasadam with due respect only then she will see her husband.” On hearing this, Kalawati ran home, ate the prasadam offered respects to Lord Satyanarayana and came back to meet her husband. When the merchant saw this, he was very happy.
The merchant then performed Lord Satyanarayana’s vratham with his family every month from then onwards. They all gained the pleasures of life and after their death they got the ultimate gift of ‘Moksha’ (Salvation – Liberation from the cycle of life and death).
This chapter of Lord Satyanarayana is over. All chant together (say) Lord Satyanarayana ki jai. Story 5:
Suta Maharshi continuing his narrative, tells the Rishis, the story of a king called Angadwaja. Once, as King Angadwaja was returning from a hunting expedition, he stopped to rest under a tree for a while. Nearby a small group of cowherd boys were playing the game of doing puja. They offered their humble parsadam to the king, who out of pride left it untouched. Subsequently the king suffered great losses and realised that that was due to the contempt he had shown for those children’s puja. The king realising his mistake returned to the spot where he had met the cowherds, and with great faith performed the puja with them. The king regained all that he had lost.
Suta Maharshi now told the Rishis that the Lord Sri Satyanarayana Swami fast was very effective during Kaliyuga and that whoever read or heard this story would be rid of all sorrows and difficulties.
The names of the persons who kept Satyanarayana vratham took re-birth are as follows:
The Brahmin took birth as Sudama & in his entire life he served the Lord Krishna & attained moksha.
King Ulkamuk took birth as King Dashrath, and in that life he became the father of Lard Rama & attained eternity.
The merchant took birth as King Morad, who cut his son in half & offered to the Lord & got moksha.
King Angadwaja took birth as Kewat, who took Lord Rama across the river, served him & got moksha.
This chapter of Lord Satyanarayana is over. All chant together (say) Lord Satyanarayana ki jai. Aarti
Jai Lakshmi Ramana, Swami Jai Lashmi Ramana, Satyanarayan Swami, Jan Patak Harana, Jai Lakshmi Ramana
Ratan Ja Rat Singhasan, Adhbut Chabee Rajey Narada Kahat Niranjan, Ghanta dhun bhajey Jai Lakshmi Ramana………….
Praghat Bhaye Kali Karan, Dwaj Ko Daras Diya Budha Brahman Bankey, Kanchan Mahal Kiya Jai Lakshmi Ramana………….
Durbal Bhil Kathier, Jan Par Kripa Karey Chandra Choor Ik Raja, Jinaki Vipat Hare Jai Lakshmi Ramana………….
Vayesh Manorath Payo, Shradha Uj Dini So Fal Bhogyo Prabhji, Fer Ustati Kini Jai Lakshmi Ramana………….
Bhav Bhagti Ke Karan, Chhin Chhin Roop Dharya Sharda Dharan Kini, Tin Ka Karj Sarya Jai Lakshmi Ramana………….
Gwal Bal Sang Raja, Ban Mein Bhagti Karey Man Vanchit Fal Dino, Deen Dayal Harey Jai Lakshmi Ramana………….
Charhat Prasad Sawayo, Kadali Fal Mewa Doop Dheep Tulsi Se, Raje Sat Deva Jai Lakshmi Ramana………….
Shri Satya Narayan Ji Ki Aarti jo koi gaavey Kahat Shianand Swami Man Van Chit Fal Paavey Jai Lakshmi Ramana…………. Shri Vishnu Aarti
Om jai jagdish harey, Swami jai jagdish harey Bhagt jano ke sankat, shan mein door karey Om jai jagdish harey
Jo Dhiyavay phal pavay dukh binase man ka Swami dukh binase man ka Sukh Sampati ghar aavey kasht mitay tan ka Om jai jagdish harey
Mat Pita tum mere, sharan pau kisaki Swami sharan pau kisaki Tum bin aur na duja aash karoo jisaki Om jai jagdish harey
Tum pooran parmatma tum antaryami Swami tum antaryami Par Brahm parmeshwar tum sabke swami Om jai jagdish harey
Tum karuna ke sagar tum palan karta Swami tum palan karta Mae murakh kul kami kripa karo bharta Om jai jagdish harey
Tum ho ek agochar sabh ke pranpati Swami sabh ke pranpati Kisa bida milu gusai tumko mae kumati Om jai jagdish harey
Din Bandu dukh harta thakur tum mere Swami thakur tum mere Apne hath uthao, apnay charan lagao Dwar khada tere Om jai jagdish harey
Vishay vikar mitao pap haro deva Swami pap haro deva Sharda Bhakti Badao, Santan ki sewa Om jai jagdish harey
Om jai jagdish harey, Swami jai jagdish harey Bhagt jano ke sankat, shan mein door karey Om jai jagdish harey
About Lalbagh Chya Raja
Lalbaugcha Raja is the most famous Sarvajanik Ganapati, [1] kept at Lalbaug, a prominent locality in Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturti festival. The idol is kept for public display for Eleven days thereafter it is immersed on the auspicious day of Anant Chaturdashi. The pendal attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees during the festival[2] and is the center of prime attraction.There are two lines for taking blessings of the Lalbaugcha Raja - THE NAVSACHI LINE and MUKH DARSHANACHI LINE.Around 18 LAC people visit the mandal on the 1st day of ganeshutsav .It takes around 25-30 and sometimes 40 hours for THE NAVSACHI LINE and 15-20 hours for MUKH DARSHANACHI LINE to reach the ganpati stage due to the long lines ranging from 5 to 6 km. Many times MUKH DARSHANACHI LINE reaches Byculla and THE NAVSACHI LINE reaches very very far.
It is believed that this Idol of Lord Ganesha is Navsacha Ganpati (which means the fulfiller of all wishes) and hence around 1.5 million people or more visit this Ganesh Pandal daily during the 10 day Ganeshotsav festival.Soon Lalbaugcha Raja is supposed to be a pigrim place.
Since last few years, few days prior to the Ganesh Chaturthi day, Mukh Darshan Ceremony (Lalbaugcha Raja's first look and photoshoot) is organised by Lalbaug Sarvajanik Ganeshostav mandal. This year the ceremony took place on Thursday, September 5, 2013. This unveiling of Lalbaugcha Raja is covered every year by all national and regional channels.[3]
Lalbaugcha Raja is the popular Ganesh Idol of Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal. The Mandal, formerly known as Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Lalbaug[4] was founded in 1934 at Lalbaug Market.
History[edit source | editbeta]
The Mandal, formerly known as 'Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Lalbaug' was founded in 1934,[5] because of a vow (Navas) for construction of the present Lalbaug Market at its existing place. The market place at Peru Chawl was shut down in 1932. Hence, the fishermen and vendors [ i.e. the KOLI people] who used to sit in the open place vowed to Ganesha for permanent place for their market. With the consistent efforts and support of the then local Councillor-Late Shri. Kuwarji Jethabhai Shah, Dr. V. B. Korgaonkar, Shri. Nakhawa Kokam Mama, Bhausaheb Shinde, Dr. U. A. Rao and the local residents, the landlord Rajabai Tayyabali agreed to give a plot for construction of a market. As fulfillment of their wish, the fisherman and the traders established the Ganesh Idol on 12 September 1934. The idol was dressed in the customary fashion of fisherman. Since that day onwards, this Lord Ganesh has become popular as it fulfills the wishes of devotees. The Mandal was formed in the era when the freedom struggle was at its peak.
From Wikepedia ..
I have been shooting Lalbagh Chya Raja since 2004 ,,promoting Hindu Muslim Amity through my blogs ,,
Photographers Are Not Violent People ,,We Shoot To Give You A Second Life
Photographers Are Not Violent People ,,We Shoot To Give You A Second Life, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.
As an Indian , as a Shia born Muslim I would not speak ill of any mans religion or faith nor shoot to ridicule it...simply because my parents respected all religion ,, taught me to respect all religion too the greatest religion of Humanity, I shoot Hinduism, Christianity Sufism as passionately as I shoot my own faith without bias without blinkers ..as a photographer behind the camera I become part of the people I shoot..my inner dislikes I keep to myself and are not for sharing on public forum of social media..so it saddens me if a Hindu misplaced misguided man insults the Shia Faith customs that he does not belong to or are not part of his heritage or inheritance ,,, Hinduism is part of my cultural ethos without my Hindu friends Christian priests as my teachers Parsi friends Buddhist friends I would have not reached this far .. I dont sell my pictures I am not a professional photographer I use photography as a blogger to educate people of life in my backyard..
Goud Saraswat Brahmin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Goud (also spelt as Gaud or Gawd) Saraswat Brahmins are a Hindu Brahmin community in India and a part of the larger Saraswat Brahmin community. They are popularly referred to as GSBs. They are Konkani people and primarily speak Konkani as their mother tongue. They are the first Rigvedic Brahmins.
They claim their origin to the Brahmins who lived on the banks of the now-extinct river Saraswati of Pakistan Punjab or Kashmir. They derived their name from either the river Saraswati or from their spiritual leader, the sage Saraswat Muni(sage) who lived on the banks of Saraswati. These Brahmins were one of the Pancha Gawda Brahmin groups who lived north of the Vindhyas. They belonged to Smarta tradition and primarily worshiped the five deities: Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Surya and Ganesha. Throughout the course of history, the Saraswat Brahmins have migrated to a variety of locations and are found mostly in Western coast of India.
Goud Saraswat Brahmins primarily speak Konkani as their mother tongue. The Konkani they speak is slightly different from the Konkani spoken by other communities such as the Catholics, Navayaths, and Siddis. The Konkani spoken by Goan Saraswats, Karnataka Saraswats and Kerala Saraswats is also different. The Konkani spoken by Karnataka Saraswats has borrowed loan words from Kannada while the Konkani spoken by Kerala Saraswats has borrowed loan words from Malayalam. This was due to several centuries of domicile by the Saraswats in these areas.[citation needed]
Divisions[edit source | editbeta]
Gauda Saraswat Brahmins are categorised by surname (indicating profession), gotra (lineage) or matha (spiritual guru).
Gotras[edit source | editbeta]
Every GSB belongs to a particular gotra, similar to a "clan". The gotras are named for noted Hindu sages or rishis, thus the gotra's name indicates what sage its members pertain to. Marriage within the same gotra is prohibited, which may be a method to avoid inbreeding.[citation needed]
Mutts[edit source | editbeta]
Lord Shri Krishna (Kota Kashi Math)
Shri Gaudapadacharya Math (Kavale, Ponda, Goa), Advaita school with Gaudapadacharya as Adi Guru
Gokarna Partagali Jeevottam Mutt (Partagali-Cancona, Goa), Dvaita School with Madhva Sampradaya
Sri Kashi Math (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh), Dvaita Sampradaya
Sri Chitrapur Math (Shirali, Karnataka), Advaita School with Gaudapadacharya as Adi Guru
Sri Dhaboli Math (Kudal, Maharastra), Advaita School with Shankaracharya as Adi Guru
Rituals[edit source | editbeta]
During the eighth month of pregnancy, a woman moves to her mother's house, especially during the birth of her first child. The expecting mother also performs Ganapathi Pooja for a successful delivery and a healthy child. On the 6th day, a pen and lamp are kept near the child's head, symbolic of a wish for an intelligent child. On the 12th day, the naming and cradling ceremony is performed wherein the paternal grandmother whispers the child's name into his/her ear and a horoscope is cast.[1] When the child turns three months old, they are taken to the temple, and thereafter the child goes to the father's abode.[2]
Festivals[edit source | editbeta]
GSB's celebrate almost all festivals in Hinduism, and follow the Hindu lunar calendar (Panchang in Konkani) that gives the days on which the fasts and festivals should be observed.[3]
Cuisine[edit source | editbeta]
Main article: Saraswat cuisine
Notables[edit source | editbeta]
Main article: List of Gaud Saraswat Brahmins
See also[edit source | editbeta]
Gaud Saraswat Brahmin[edit source | editbeta]
Gaud Saraswat Brahmins of Cochin
List of Gaud Saraswat Brahmins
Other Saraswat Brahmin Community[edit source | editbeta]
List of Goan Brahmin Communities
List of Saraswats
Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins
Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin
Ganpati Ne Bulaya Aur Ham Nange Pair Chale Aye ..
Ganpati Ne Bulaya Aur Ham Nange Pair Chale Aye .., a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.
camera sath laye
lalbagh chya raja
mubaichya raja
aur tejukaya cha
raja apke dil
par utar laye
wahan se chale
gsb king circle
unpar bhi bhet
chadaye ,,lekin
tejukaya ji ko
ham apne hriday
mastikta se
utar nahi paye
shyam kabre ji
ne di ek pani
ki botal aur
pilayi bhatt
ki garam
mazedar chai
aur girte hue
rupye ko
bhagwan
ke siwa aur
kaun bachaye
yeh rupye jo
bar dancer
ke alawa
bade bade
ko nach
nachaye
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Shah-e-Mardan Sher-e-Yazdan Quwat-e-Parwardigar Lafata Ila Ali La Saif Ila Zulfiqar , originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1 ....
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Dargah of Hazrat Syed Ali Mira Datar Unava Gujrat , a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr. HAZRAT SYED ALI MIRA DATAR'S G...
