How Prahlada, being born in demon family became Lord Vishnu’s great devotee???

Prahlada was born Hiranyakashap and Kayadu. Hiranyakashap and his younger brother Hiranyaksha were basically Lord Vishnu’s gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya, born on earth as the result of a curse from the Four Kumaras in Satya Yuga, according to Bhagavate Purana.

Hiranyaksha was slain by Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu. Thus Hiranyakashap was furious of Lord Vishnu and started hating Him. He decided to gain magical powers through penance to defeat Lord Vishnu.

Hiranyakashap did penance of Lord Brahma and got a boon of not to be killed of anything born from living womb, neither be killed by a man or an animal, neither during the day or night time, neither indoors nor outdoors, neither on land, not in the air nor in water and of no man made weapon. In Puranas, many variations of the boon are given.

Hiranyakashap also performed another penance to please Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva granted Hiranyakashap the boon that he would have unrivalled combat prowess, exceeding skill in the use of bow and other weapons as well as the powers of all Gods, including Indra, Yama, Kubera,Surya, Agini and Varuna.

Hiranyakashap with these two boons become so mighty that he was able to shake Himalayas down to their roots. Even once Ravan tried to lift Hiranyakashap’s earrings but he failed just because those were too heavy.

Prahlad while being in his mother’s womb, heard Sage Narada’s chants and got affected by his transcendental instructions. Later, growing as a child, Prahlad begins to show the sumptons of Narada’s prenatal training and gradually becomes a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. It’s also being said that while being with his wife Kayadhu, Hiranyakashap was thinking of Lord Vishnu (as he hated Lord so much that all the time he used to think of revenge), as a result or as a Maya of Lord Vishnu the baby Prahlad becomes His great devotee.

Why Lord Krishna wears peacock feather on His head???

The peacock feather signifies the all-attractiveness of the extravagant beauty of Lord Krishna. Although he had many ornaments of gold and gemstones, He wore peacock feather on His head. Peacock feather naturally colored and ornaments of tender petals.

Once Lord Krishna blew His flute to call His cows back, a melodious raga with a slow rhythm flows in the wind. Everything around pleased by His flute. The whole surrounding was so charmed that even the peacocks nearby started dancing in front of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was pleased and smiled to see the peacocks dancing around and flapping their wings.

Lord Krishna felt so joyful that He danced with those peacocks. All the animals stood stunned seeing Lord dancing. It was so beautiful that peacocks requested Lord Krishna to wear a feather shed by them as decoration on His head. Lord accepted their offering and wore a feather as a symbol of passionate devotion and how they gaze at Him without blinking.

The lotus-faced Lord is so beautiful with His so-sweet smile; His hairstyle with its intoxicated peacock feather is so captivating. The feathers of love-intoxicated peacocks are His ornament.

Why and How Karna attained Moksha???

It’s was the last day of Karna’s life. In Mahabharata, it was the moment when Karna was trying to take out the wheel of his chariot which was immersed in earth; Arjuna threw his arrow (indrastra) to kill Karna who was fighting on the opposite side of Pandavas. Karna was the chief of Kauravas army when he got killed by the instruction of Lord Krishna.

 

Lord Krishna disguised himself as Brahman and went to Karna who was lying on ground after being shot by Arjuna. Lord Krishna tested his “danveerta” by asking him something. Karna replied he was waiting for death and he had nothing to give him as he got defeated. Krishna (disguised as Brahman) requested as he heard of Karna as a great giver and generous. Karna found nothing to offer that brahman. Karna remembered he got two golden teeth. He took a stone and broke his teeth and offered those to Krishna.

Krishna rejected those golden teeth as it was stained with his blood. Karna somehow took his arrow and threw it ground and he created a fountain, washed and offered those to Krishna. Thus being hurt and waiting for death again Karna proved he was the great “danveer”.

Krishna took those teeth and came to His own form. Krishna got so pleased and asked Karna to ask any boons. Karna refused as he never take anything after giving. But as Krishna insisted Karna asked three boons from Lord Krishna.

First, Suta jaati (cast) should be honoured in society as Karna being known as Suta faced much insulation throughout his life. Second, he requested Krishna to take birth in his rajya (area) in His next incarnation. And third he requested Lord to burn his body in sinless place.

Lord Krishna found there was no place left where no sin had happened. Lord Krishna granted his third boon too. Krishna performed his antim sanskaar (last rite) in His own hand finding no sinless place in earth. The only place was Lord Krishna’s hand, where no sin was committed.

Since it was Lord’s own hand, Karna attained Moksha and went to Vaikunth, where Lord Krishna resides.

Why Prasad is more tasteful than normal food?

Prasad is a Sanskrit word, meaning a devotional offering made to God. Prasad which is offered to God first, share to devotees later. Prasad is completely Sattvik (mode of goodness) food, made after sacrificing to Lord.

In short, three types of food as per Bhagavate Gita, named Sattvik (mode of goodness), Rajsic (mode of passion) and Tamsic (mode of ignorance). Our nature of mind depends on the nature of food we consume.

Prasad made of Sattvik food, means for offering Lord with devotional heart, the intention is sacrifice and to feed God, the creator of us. We keep thinking of God while making His food. This Sattik food is made before 4 hours before consuming by devotees. Once it is made for serving, we take a small portion of each food from each cooked items and we offer this to God before our hunger, sacrificing our desire of food.

After certain of time we take out those small portions blessed by God and mix each variety with the large quantity made for thousands of devotees whoever visited that particular temple. Thus the food becomes Prasad. 

Food remains food until and unless we offer it to Lord. After serving to God that food becomes Prasad, and that Prasad is mixed with large quantity to make large quantity of Prasad.

This Prasad becomes Lord’s food, considered He eats and touches that. Sacrifice, devotional thinking, offering to God, and blessed as Prasad, all together Prasad become more tasteful than normal food.

We must offer our food (Sattvik) first to God and then consume Prasad.

When and how Kali Yuga started???

As per our Puranas there are four Yugas (ages) namely, Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. It was started in 3102 BC and duration is 432,000 years (1200 divine years), so roughly around 5121 years ago and remaining 426,879 years as 2020 AD.

More precisely according to Surya Siddhanta, Kali Yuga began at midnight (00:00) on 18^th February 3102. This was also the time when Lord Krishna left earth and returned to Baikunth. Kali Yuga entered after taking permission from Krishna.

Once king Parikshit, grandson of Pandavas, saw Kaliyuga wandering in his kingdom. He was so powerful to kill him but Kali took refuge in him and requested king not kill him as he came compelled by the cycle of time. Also he mentioned that now it’s his age and era. Parikshit said Kaliyuga couldn’t enter as long as he lived. Kali informed since it was his age and cycle of time never do mistake, perhaps Parikshit might not love long.

King allowed Kali to live in four places, where falsehood exists, where alcohol is made, where there was no respect for women and where cruelty reigned. Kali requested more places as these four places were too small to live in. Parikshit granted one more place that was in gold as people became greedy to see gold.

So Kaliyuga already started showing its effects. Once while wandering into jungle king Parikshit felt tired and thirsty. He entered an ashram nearby thinking he might get some water and rest. Parikshit saw rishi shamik was deep into meditation. 

He took around and found no one to offer him a glass of water. So he requested the rishi for water. The rishi was so into deep meditation that even after requesting many times by Parikshit he couldn’t hear. Kaliyuga was hidden already into gold crown which king wore in his head.

Parkishit got angry and felt insulted being he was the great king rishi didn’t pay attention. Parishit thought teaching a lesson for his act. Parikshit found a dead snake nearby, placed rounded it into the neck of rishi and left the place. It happened due the influence of Kaliyuga. Rishi Shamik was completely unaware of everything.

The son of shmaik rishi came and saw his father’s neck rounded by a dead snake. He saw through his powerful vision and became so angry that he cursed the king that he would die in 7 days by the bite of snake Takshak. Parikshit came to know this and rushed to the ashram and requested rishi for forgiveness.

Parishit gave up the throne up to his son Janmajeya and went to great sage Suka. There he learned the Bhagavate Purana during those 7 days. Thus he realized the ultimate truth of life and attained moksha.

Kaliyuga reigned fully throughout the world then.

why we apply Tilak???

Tilak is a traditional mark to identify the devotees of Lord Krishna. Tilak is clay found on the bank of sacred river. It’s sacred because it is the dust of feet of devotees (Gopi Chandan) and the lotus feet Supreme Lord. 

A devotee decorates his body with Tilak as the body is the temple of individual soul (Atma) and Lord Krishna (Parmatma). Applying Tilak, purifies body and reminds us that we are belong to Lord Krishna, When we see a devotee with Tilak, we are reminded of Lord and relieve our sinful reactions.

In India there are many types of Tilak devotees wear in their forehead. These varieties of Tilak indicate their affiliation with a particular group and their devotion of a particular form of God. Among the Vaishnabas devotees are identified by their styles of Tilak, its shape, colour and the material used to make it.

Applying Tilak shows that we are the disciple of Chaitanya Maha Prabhu. 

Tilak’s upper part is like

‘U” shaped indicates the Lord Krishna’s lotus footprint, and the lower part is like a leaf shape represents the Tulasi leaf, Krishna’s favourite plant and a great devotee.

Tilak can be applied anytime you want but it is best to apply after bath, during worshiping the Lord Krishna.

                                                                           ...Hare Krishna...

Even death of Yamraj???

There are two stories:

First,

Yamraj himself the lord of death and justice experienced death once. He’s considered as the first mortal man in the universe. In the Rig Veda, Yamraj is the son of Vivasvan (sun god) and of Saranya (the dusk godess, daughter of Tvastar) and had a twin sister named Yami.

Once there was saint (rishi) in the bank Godavari River, who was a great devotee of Lord shiva. It was his last day of life so Yamraj sent his men to get his soul. When they arrived in gate of saint’s ashram (house), they found he was into deep meditation in front of a Shiva Linga and guarded by Vairabh baba.

They tried to take life according to their duty but Vairabh baba killed both of them as the saint was worshiping Lord Shiva.

When Yamraj came to know, he got angry and arrived that place. Yumraj was able to capture Vairabh baba with his power. But when he tried to capture that saint, he started praying Lord Shiva using the mantra “maha mrittunjyaya”.

Lord Shiva sent Kartikeya to protect the saint. A war took place between Kartiketa and Yamraj. But Yamraj couldn’t stay longer in front of Kartikeya’s power. Kartikeya used sakti arrow and killed Yamraj.

Surya dev(sun god) heard of his son’s death and arrived that place. He understood his son’s mistake as Yamraj was going out of Shiva’s will. Surya deva prayed Lord Shiva and asked for forgiveness.

The balance of life and death got dis balanced due to Yamraj’s death. Lord Shiva finally forgave and brought his life back.

                                                                       

The second story,

There was a sage named Mrikandu, prayed Lord Shiva at Vilvavanam desiring a son. He was a true devote of Lord.

Lord pleased and offered him two choices: a virtuous son who would live for 16 years only or a 100 years long-lived foolish son. Mrikandu chose the virtuous son and accordingly he had that son, whom he named Markandeya. When Markandeya was about to 16 years, near to his death, Brahma taught him mantra named Maha mrittunjaya that conquered death and blessed him with long life.

Markandeya became a great devote of Lord Shiva. Once while he was worshiping Lord Shiva, the messengers came to take him as it was his destiny. Those messengers couldn’t take his life as he was deep into prayer to Lord Shiva. They returned and informed Yamraj.

Yamraj, bound to his duty arrived by himself to take his soul. When Yamraj asked Markandeya to left with him, Markandeya hugged the Shiva Linga, he was worshiping, and started praying hard to Lord.

Lord Shiva appeared with furious form and threw his Trishula to Yamraj. Yamraj got killed to death. And blessed Markandeya life with remaining in 16^th youth stage.

All gods including Sun god prayed Lord to revive Yamraj to continue the balance of life and death. Lord Shiva forgave and revive Yamraj to life. Yamraj promised of killing Lord’s devotees again.

 

                                                                             ... Hare Krishna...

Why Lord Brahma married his own daughter Saraswati???

According to our Purana, Lord Brahma was born in a golden springs from Lord Vishnu’s naval. Brahma had just taken birth and is a child without any knowledge. Brahma is considered as the creator of our universe.

Brahma, for the hep in the process of creation, created a female deity called Shatrupa also known as Sandhya or Saraswati(the goddess of knowledge). He was so attracted to her beauty that he tried to constantly look upon her. Although Brahma had refrained from all sorts of senses but somehow his mind slipped this time and felt desired for Saraswati in his heart. Saraswati, whereas, was not pleased with this behaviour of Brahma and was trying to hide in all possible directions from his gaze.

Brahma grew extra heads for every direction she was going. He grew four heads in four directions. To escape from Brahma she went up into the sky hid herself. Brahma grew a fifth head upwards and found her. Every time she hid herself Brahma was able to find her. Devi Saraswati became angry and hopeless.

Lord Shiva, seeing the obsession of Brahma towards Saraswati, got furious and punished Brahma by cutting his upward head and also Lord Shiva cursed him for not being worshiped by anyone due to his act towards Saraswati.

Saraswati found herself helpless and finally she surrendered to Brahma for the purpose of creating life. They spent around 100 years together and there gave birth the Manu, the first man in the universe.

Why Lord Krishna had 16108 wives???

The supreme personality of God Lord Krishna had 16108 wives but many don’t know the reason behind it.

Lord Krishna had only 8 wives there were called as ‘Ashtabharya’ (astha means eight and bharya means wife) named Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Nagnajiti, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Bhadra and Lakshmana. All wives were basically His devotees.

     

                                                       

Once a powerful demon named Narkasur king of Pragjyotishpur had abducted 16100 women and kept them as captive. Satyabhama, one of Lord Krishna’s wives, was informed about this act of Narkasura. She requested Krishna to free them from his bondage.

Krishna attacked Pragjyotishpur and defeated Narkasura. Devi Satyabhama killed Narkasura with an arrow. 

He released these 16100 women from his captive. But those women denied going back to their homes as the society wouldn’t accept them and disgrace them for being captive of Narkasura.

Lord Krishna married them in order to restore their honour and dignity in society. Krishna offered each queen a palace and used to turn himself into 16100 Krishna’ bodies to present in every palaces at the same time.

Thus Lord Krishna had additional 16100 wives with 8 wives, 16108 in total.

                                                        ...Hare Krishna...

Why Karna is great ‘Danveer’ than Arjuna???

Arjun was always envy upon Karna as Lord Krishna praised Karna’s generosity. Once while spending time with Krishna, Arjuna asked “why you do always praise Karna in terms of donation whereas I donated a lot too”?

Krishna understood his envy and smiled, Lord said he could understand if he did a task for him. Arjuna agreed.

Krishna pointed a huge mountain and turned it into the huge heap of gold coins. Then Krishna told Arjuna to distribute those gold coins among villagers who were suffering a lot. Arjuna agreed and appeared in front of villagers and declared proudly that their sufferings came to end as Arjuna arrived to help them.

Arjuna decided some equal portion to be donated each by his own hand. But since that was a huge heap of coins, Arjuna felt tired and refused any help in distribution from his army as he used to think generous work to be done by him only.

Krishna noticed everything silently. He disguised Arjuna as Bramhan and took him to Karna’s palace.

Krishna repeated the same story and asked Karna to distribute. Karna felt happy of being selected by Krishna to do such noble task. Immediately he ordered his men to call all villagers to the mountain. Karna appeared there and declared politely that these gold coins given by Krishna and to collect as per their needs. Also he ordered his men to help villagers to carry their coins. He also left the place not waited to be praised by villagers.

When disguised Arjuna asked Karna why he distributed his all coins, Karna replied these were not his coins, these offered by Lord Krishna and if so then also he would distribute all as villagers need most than him.

Thus Karna proved his generosity again.

There was another great incident. Here it is,

Once on a rainy day someone visited Arjuna while sitting with Lord Krishna asked for dry woods for his need. Arjuna saw it was raining so dry woods couldn’t be arranged to give that person. He apologized that person for not capable of giving dry wood.

Krishna saw this and told that person to visit Karna, also commented that Karna might be able to give him dry woods. Arjuna noticed and asked Lord Krishna how he could give when Arjuna could not.

They both disguised themselves and went to Karna’s palace with that person to see what Karna would do.

That person requested Karna the same. Karna saw outside it was raining so he broke his palace’s wood logs and offered it to that person.

Krishna smiled on that kind act and Arjuna felt ashamed and understood why Karna is greater “Danveer” than anyone.

...Hare Krishna...

Why Lord Krishna teach a lesson to Lord Brahma???

People of Braj already started worshiping little Lord Krishna, seeing this Brahma was angry why a child was worshipped as a God. Brahma decided to visit Krishna and check whether he was God or not.

Krishna with his friends was playing, seeing this Bramha abducted all the cows. Krishna went on searching those missing cows keeping all friends to wait. Bramha kidnapped those friends too. Then he went to Bramhalok and kept them all together.

Krishna already understood this. When Bramha returned to earth (mrittulok) from Bramhalok already a year passed. Bramha got surprised to see all cows and boys whom he abducted already with Krishna and there was no sign of worry. Seeing Brahma perplexed Suddenly Krishna turned into many forms and showed many Bhrahmas, Shivas, Indras and Demigods worshipping Lord Krishna.

Brahma realised the Supreme Lord and prayed for forgiveness. Lord Krishna forgave Brahma and informed that this was the smallest Universe he gave Brahma for creation; there were uncountable universes where in numerous Brahmas living and worshipping Him.

Brahma understood his mistake and returned all the cows and kids back.

 

                                                                           …Hare Krishna…

Why Lord Shiva had to fight with Lord Krishna???

There was a demon named Banasur, was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He was the elder son of king Bali among 100 sons and the 10^th descendant of Lord Vishnu devotee Prahlad. Once Banasur pleased Lord Shiva by his utmost devotion and meditation (tapasya), Lord Shiva gave him two boons, first, 1000 powerful arms and second, whenever Banasur fell in problem would be protected by Lord Shiva.

Demon Banasur attacked Kailash once after receiving such powerful boons from Lord Shiva. Being disappointed by Banasur’s act Lord Shiva warned him that his end had already been born and he could see this whenever the flag on his kingdom gate would be broken.

Usha, Banasur’s daughter, once saw a handsome prince in her dream and fell in love with him.

She requested Chitralekha to draw the portrait of that prince she’s in love. And after seeing the portrait Usha confirmed it’s him and requested Chitralekha to bring the prince to her.

It was Anirudda, Usha saw in her dream, Krishna’ grandson. Thus Anirudda was kidnapped by Chitralekha and placed in front of Usha. Usha explained everything to Anirudda and Anirudda fell in love too.

Meanwhile Banasur noticed that the flag of his kingdom broke, he understood someone entered his kingdom. Finding Anirudda in Usha’ room he put him in jail (Karhagar). They were already searching for Anirudda in Dwarka and somehow Krishna was informed that Anirudda was captivated by Banasur.

Krishna with his elder brother Balaram attacked Banasur. Balaram was very powerful to kill Banasur’ army, then Krishna faced Banasur. Seeing his army killed by Balram Banasur got scared and prayed Lord Shiva for help.

Lord Shiva appeared in front of Krishna and started fighting. Though both were devotees of each other. Krishna knew he couldn’t kill Banasur if Lord Shiva protected him. So Krishna silently prayed Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva gave a quick strategy.

Krishna threw an arrow and Lord Shiva fell unconscious. Krishna took out his “Sudarshan Chakra” and cut off Banasur’s arms. But when Krishna tried to cut Banasur’ head, Lord Shiva woke up and hold the “Sudarshan Chakra”, Lord Shiva requested Krishna to forgive Banasur as he’s his great devotee.

Meanwhile Banasur felt ashamed after seeing all these. He stood up and promised that he would leave all bad acts. Both Lord forgave Banasur.

This was the situation when Lord Shiva stood against Lord Krishna.

 

…Hare Krishna…