SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS -2

SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS

(Compiled  by  Brahmasree V.D.N.Rao)

Muchukunda who too belonged to the ancestry of King Ikshwaku was the able Commander of the

Army of Devas in a series of battles with Daityas for long time completely disregarding his family

and personal health. Indra expressed his gratitude and asked him for a boon. As he was so tired and

sleepy, Muchukunda asked Indra to let him sleep and the latter agreed especially because one Deva

year was equal to three sixty five human ears and that would provide Muchukunda ample rest. Indra

also gave a boon that none should disturb his sleep and if some bodydid so that person would be burnt

as ash. Muchukunda descended to Earth from Swarga and selected a Mountain cave to sleep.

Meanwhile, Vishnu assumed the Incarnation of Krishna and killed innumerable Forces of Evil on

Earth. The most vicious of the Kings of the times Kamsa was killed by Krishna and the enraged King

Jarasandha decided to uproot Krishna. Since he and his fellow Kings might not be able to do so, he

sought the friendship of Kala Yavana the valiant and cruel Yavana King ; the combined army

surrounded Mathura where his grand father was reigning under the care of Krishna. Just before the

battle was to commence, Krishna left the Mathura Fort by a leisurely walk and Kala Yavana was

puzzled and followed Krishna who entered a Cave. Kala Yavana too entered thinking that Krishna

was a schemy person and shoul be vary of his mischivous plans. The cave was pitch dark and there

was no trace of Krishna. Suddenly the Yavana stumbled a human body and the latter growled with

shouting anger. Muchukunda got disturbed from sleep and as he opened his eyes, Kala Yavana was

burnt like a soft wood into a heap of ash, in keeping with Indra’s boon that who so ever disturbed

Muchkunda would be burnt alive as ash. Then Krishna made his appearance and Muchukunda

recognised Bhagavan who instructed the latter to move to the Ashram of Nara Narayana in

‘Badarikashrama’ to perform Tapasya till his attainment of Mukti.

The stories of Chyavana Muni and Sukanya, King Nabhaga, Pradyumna and Ila Devi

Vaivaswata Manu’s another son Saryati gave birth to Sukanya. The latter when she came of age

visited a forest once along with her companions and playfully prierced into a bush while amused

about what she thought were glowing worms. But they were actually the eyes of a Muni named

Chyavana performing Tapas with eyes wide open and in the process got blinded. The girl got

confused when blood oozed out from the bush and ran away. The blinded Muni realised that a young

princess did the indiscretion and gave a Shaap that the entire military force of the King should suffer

with stoppage of their excretions. Meanwhile Sukanya conveyed to the King of her playful rashness

and of the Muni’s shaap. King Saryati along with Sukanya approached the Muni and prostrated to

him seeking unreserved pardon; the King offered the young Sukanya to wed the old Muni so that she

could serve the Muni in his blindness. In course of time, Sukanya got used to family life serving the

blind Muni in his daily puja and other chores. She excelled herself in her ‘Pativratya’ or undisputed

devotion to her husband.

One day, the two Ashvini Kumars who were the Physicians of Devas passed by the Ashram of

Chyavana Muni and were highly impressed with the selfless and ideal service being performed by

Sukanya as an example of Pativratya. They cured the Muni’s blindness and the grateful Chyavana

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offered a boon to the Ashvini Kumars. The latter desired that they would like to have access to

‘Amrit’which was provided to Devas but was denied to them. Chyavana Muni made a request to Indra

but he refused. The Muni took up this as an insult to him and performed an elaborate Yagna an favour

of Brahma Deva and the latter who was pleased by the Muni’s Yagna instructed Ashvini Kumars to

accord the same status to Devas and thus have access to the drink of Amrita eversince.

King Nabhaga was refused of material wealth: Vaivaswata’s another son King Nabhaga advised his

youngest son Junior Nabhaga to perform a sincere yagna in favour of the Planetary Heads since the

junior Nabhaga received a raw deal by his elder brothers in the apportionment of the King’s wealth

when the senior Nabhaga proceeded to Vanaprastha. The Planetary Heads-the Ashta Dikpalakas- were

very pleased with the Yagna and granted enormous wealth. But when the wealth in the form of

Bhumi, Rajya, gold, Dhanya, Dhana, and Vahanas was about to be accepted by the junior Nabhaga , a

dark and short Swarupa with a frightful face and offensive tone objected to receive the wealth so

granted to him. Indeed that dark and dreadful person was Lord Shiva himself chiding the junior

Nabhaga who preferred material wealth to Spiritual Prosperity!

King Pradyumna / Ila Devi: Vaivaswata Manu’s son Vishshta performed a Yagna to secure a son

under the supervision of Sage Mitra Varuna but due to a mistake of the ‘Hota’of the Yagna, a

daughter was conceived to the Queen instead of a son. But the Mantrik powers of the Sage, the

daughter was converted as a boy named Pradyumna. As the latter became a King eventually, he went

on a hunting spree to a forest and entered a prohibited area in the forest despite warnings; that was a

very private area where Shiva-Parvati spent time together and the warning was that who ever entered

there would become a woman. As per Shiva’s instruction, the King became a woman and had to enter

the Royal Palace surrepticiously. Pradyumna callled Sage Vasishtha for help and the latter performed

Tapas to please Lord Shiva. The Bhagavan bestowed a dispensation to the King that he would be a

male for half year and a female for another half when she would be called Ila. During the womanhood,

Budha the son of Chandra Deva met Ila and their wedding resulted in the birth of King

Pururava who was the foremost King in the Chandra Vamsha to be described later.

Other famed Kings of the Surya Vamsha

King Vidurath discovered a huge cavity of Earth in a forest in his Kingdom. A Muni in the forest

informed that there was a demon of Patala called Kujrumbha made several such cavities in the forest

through which the demon entered and killed the passers by including animals. The Muni however

cautioned the King that the demon had a potent weapon named Sunanda-a Mushala or a Mace which

was originally built by Twashta Prajapati. He further told the King that the Mushala w On return to

the Royal Court, the King consulted his Ministers and asked his sons to take large contingents of

soldiers and kill thd demon after locating him. The demon destroyed the army and imprisoned the

Princes. He also managed to abduct the Princess from the Fort and out of bravado stated that none

could do any harm to him till he possessed Sunanda the Mace and thus forced her to marry him. But

the Princess knew about the ineffectiveness of the Mace if touched by a woman. The King announced

that whosoever could free the princess from the custody of the demon would be wedded to her. An

intrepid youth named Vatsandra came forward and killed the demon, since the Mace was ineffective

as it was already touched by the princess while being kidnapped. The princess and the youth got

married happily.

King Vishal of Vidisha Kingdom was blessed with an extraordinarily pretty Princess named Vaishali.

The King announced a ‘Swayamvara’ or bride’s choice for marriage and many eligible Princes

attended the function. One Prince named Aveekshith or the one who was not viewed by any malefic

Graha / Planet in his birth chart tried to take away the Princess by force. But those other aspirants who

attended the function over powered Aveekshith and imprisoned him The King then proceeded with

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attended the function over powered Aveekshith and imprisoned him. The King then proceeded with

the Swayamvara but Vaishali insisted on selecting Aveekshi only. Meanwhile the King Kardama the

father of the imprisoned youth attacked Vidisha and freed; the Prince felt humiliated and decided not

to wed Vaishali. The disappointed Princess declared that she would wed the Prince or none else! She

retired to a hermitage in a forest and performed Tapasya. Devas were happy with her devotion and

blessed her with the boon of begetting a famous son who would rule the whole Sapta Dwipas soon.

Vaishali wondered that after all she vowed of celibacy excepting Aveekshith. Even while she was

thinking about her vow, a demon called Dhrutakesha tried to kidnap Vaishali and a passing Prince

Aveekshith fought the demon and saved the Princess. On mutual consent, the married as per the

Gadharva way and gave birth to a celebrated son called Marut who indeed became the Supreme

Sovereign of the Sapta Dwipas.

Marut Chakravarti not only controlled Sapta Dwipas but also the Sky, Prithvi, Pataala Lokas and all

the ‘Jalasthaanaas’ or wherever water existed. He performed thousands of Yagnas under the

supervision of Samvarta Muni the son of Angirasa Maharshi and the brother of Brihaspati the Deva

Guru. The Yagnas were lavish glittered with gold and jewellery. Brahmanas who were proverbially

poor full of family needs and unfulfilled desires were surfeit with Dhana-Dhanya-Vastu-Vahana-

Kanakas or cash-foodgrains-material wealth-chariots, horses, elephants and other carriages. The

Chakravarti’s sovereignty was at peak when Dharma or Virtue reigned, human desires were nil,

Varnashrama Rules were predominant, sins were the lowest and Peace and Contentment were the

watch-words. In this idyllic atmosphere however, the ‘Raja Mata’ (Royal Grandmother) sent a

precautionary note to Marut and his father Avikshith that there were some lapses in Security

arrangements of the Empire as some stray cases of poison deaths of Brahmana Vidyarthis or Students

by Nagas from Naga Loka. This information infuriated the Chakravarti and made elaborate

preparations to attack Naga loka and destroy it all together. The Naga Kings were worried and

tightened the behaviour of the miscreant elements in Naga loka and apologised to the Chakravati who

was however adamant. They also approached Aveekshith for intervention and protection. Marut

emphasised ‘Raja Dharma’ to protect his Subjects and decided to go ahead with the attack of the Naga

Loka while the father pleaded mercy to the ‘Sharanaarthis’ or those who erred but sought pardon

which too was an ‘Ashrita Dharma’ of Kshatriyas. Both the son and father took uncompromising

postures and the ‘Raja Mata’ intervened and prevented ego-clashes of the Son and Father. Meanwhile,

those miscreant serpents were rattled that due to their mischief the entire Naga Race faced the huge

problem of destruction and by utilising the Mantra Shakti of the Naga experts revived the lives of the

dead Brahmana Vidyarthis thus putting a lid on the controversial storm.

Origin of Chandra,wedding, Shaapa, re-emergence and Stories of his Vamsha

Maharshi Atri performed Tapasya for thousand Divya years and pushed up his virility and the

magnificent deposit in the form of drops from his eyes spread out outstanding illumination in all over

the ten directions. Realising the unique development, Brahma facilitated the emergence of Chandra

Swarupa and provided to him a Chariot to traverses across the entire Universe.Chandra made twenty

one full circles from Prithvi to Great Samudra and in the process transmitted extreme luminosity

which when it touched Bhumi created ‘Anna’ or Foodgrains and derivatives like seeds, herbs,

Aoushadhis and so on. Brahma made him in-charge of Brahmanas and their activities. He organised

an unprecedented Rajasuya Yagna which was attended by a galaxy of Devas and Maharshis, besides

lakhs of Brahmanas who were showered with gifts and ‘Dakshinas’ or cash money. Nine illustrious

women like Sini, Kuhu, Dyuti, Pushti, Prabha, Kirti, Dhriti and so on. At the time of his Avabhruta

Snaana or Sacred Bathing to mark the Grand Finale of the Yagna, Chandra was like a personification

of humility and honesty. But soon Chandra changed his attitude due to conceit and power; he

committed the ‘Mahapataka’ or a great Sin of enticing Devi Tara, the wife of Deva Guru. Brihaspati,

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other Devas and Brahma himself chided his nasty and immoral acivity to no avail. Shukracharya the

Asura Guru espoused the cause of Chandra and Tara and a fight broke out between Asuras and Devas

as Deva Guru headed the Deva Sena (Army). In course of time, Tara was conceived and Brihaspati

insisted that the delivery should not be in his residence til Tara’s delivery and that she could join him

after delivery.

Then Budha was born and he grew as an extraordinarily learned Vidwan of Veda-Vedanga-Shastras.

Brahma was impressed with Budha and thus appointed him as a fulfledged Graha or Planet. Budha

performed great Tapasya to atone the sin of his parents. Brahma considering Chandra’s arrogance

and selfishness, made Budha’s placement in the firmament right opposite to that of his father’s but

Budha was friendly with Ravi and Shukra. Budha fell in love with Ila, a beautiful young woman, little

realising that she was actually the King Sudyumna a pious ruler of his Subjects. The King entered into

a forest not knowing that it was a forbidden place as Shiva and Parvati spent their privacy and the ban

was that any male entering there would become a female. Thus the King became a beautiful woman

but due to shyness did not return to his kingdom. Sage Vasishta who was the Raja Guru of King

Sudyumna came to know of the curse and performed severe Tapasya to Maha Deva. Meanwhile,

Budha met Ila per chance and married her and begot a child called Pururava. By then Vasishta was

fortunate to secure Maha Deva Shiva’s ‘darshan’ and requested that his King be returned to manhood.

Shiva granted a partial dispensation that Sudyumna would become a male for half a year and during

the second half continue as Ila Devi.

Pururava after Sudyumana’s retirement proved to be a model King administering the Kingdom on

the strict principles of Virtue as prescribed in Veda-Shastras. Meanwhile, Apsarasa Urvasi, a Celestial

Damsel received a curse that she would have to leave to Earth for a fixed term and since she had the

knowledge of youthful Kings in Bharata Desha she seduced Pururava and expressed her consent to

marry him on three conditions viz. she would consume only ghee or classified butter, that she would

not view her bare body except in bed and that he should take ample care of two sheep brought by her

from Gandharva Loka. Mesmerised by her charm Pururava observed the conditions totally. But in

course of time, her hold over him got somewhat diluted due to the urgent demands of governance.

Also the tenure of the Sage’s curse was over; Indra’s men stole her sheep and the King did not pay

much attention. He chased a few thieves in his Palace and he himself ran to chase them almost unclad

and the celestial ‘thieves’ outsmarted him.Urvasi got terribly upset as Pururava broke the contract on

all the three counts and left him to return to Heaven. Pururava was fustrated as the pangs of seperation

were so severe that in distress wandered aimlessly. By chance he saw Urvashi at Kurukshetra again

and she explained to him that her wedding with him was of purely temporary nature and that he would

have to get over his infatuation.

Jahnu was in the lineage of Pururava whom Devi Ganga desired to marry; despite his disinterst as he

wanted to marry Kaverti, she changed her course and flowed upto an Yagna Shaala where King Jahnu

was performing a SarpaYagna. Jahnu was annoyed and drank her up. The Maharshis begged of Jahnu

to release her as his daughter and the released Ganga thus secured the encomium as Jahnavi.

Nahusha who was also in the lineage of Pururava had the distinction of peforming ninety nine

Ashwamedha Yagnas and was nearly qualified to become Indra who should have executed hundred

Yagnas. Meanwhile there was a temoporary vacancy of Indratwa since Indra fled away since he killed

Vritrasura with the help of the Vajrayudha made out of Sage Dadhichis’s backbone; Vritrasura who

was a Brahmana by birth and Brahma Hatya Sin chased Indra. Brahma thus appointed Nahusha as

temporary Indra. Nahusha who was originally a King of Great Virtue bacame arrogant and powermongering

as he became Indra and claimed all the privileges belonging to Indra like Vajrayudha,

Iravata the Elephant and even Indra’s wife Sachi Devi. Nahusha insisted that Sachi Devi be his keep!

hi i l d hi l d i d b ih i h k d

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Sachi Devi was non-plussed at this proposal. As advised by Deva Guru Brihaspati, she asked

Nahusha to come to her residence but he should do so just as Indra was in the habit of arriving at her

residence by a Palki (Palanquin) which actually was carried by Maharshis. Nahusha was excited to

reach her Palace quickly and having got into the palanquin commanded Agastya Muni to reach him to

Sachi Devi’s Place at once; he said ‘Sarpa Sarpa’ meaning ‘Quick, Quick’ and in the process gave a

kick to the Muni to go fast. Asgastya purposively misunderstood the word and converted the arrogant

Nahusha as an Ajagara (Python) and dropped the latter to the depths of Bhuloka into thick forests. As

a repentant Nahusha begged of clemency, the Maharshi granted a reprieve that the ‘Shaapa

Vimochana’ would be possible only when Pandavas reached the forest for twelve long years before

their ‘Ajnaata Vasa’ or Unknown Destiny having lost a bet in the ‘Maya Juda’ or wilful game of

chess. As Draupadi desired to secure a Sugandhika Flower Bheema got into a pond and the Ajagara

caught him and agreed to release him only if he gave correct replies to the Serpent’s queries.

Yudhishtara had to arrive and release Bhima and Nahusha alike. Meanwhile Brihaspati and Agastya

found that Indra was hiding in a lotus stem in Mana Sarovara Lake and brought him back and prayed

to Brahma who exonerated Nahusha from the Brahma Hatya Sin on the ground that Vitra was no

boubt a Brahmana but committed sins of killing several virtuous and innocent persons.

Yayati, the son of Nahusha and his wife Viraja, was a famed Emperor who defeated all the Kings of

the World and married Devayani the daughter of Asura Guru Shukracharya, besides Sharmishtha the

daughter of Vishvaparva, a Rakshasa King. Indra was pleased to gift Yayati a Divine Chariot with

seven powerful horses with which he traversed the world and divided his Empire into seven divisions

to distribute it among five of his sons. A Maharshi gave a boon that if any of his sons could agree to

exchange their youth to his old age then he could secure a fresh lease of youth. His eldest son Yadu

from Devayani refused and so did others excepting Sharmishtha’s son Puru who readily agreed.

Yayati took over Puru’s youth and enabled him travel around to unravel earthly pleasures for long.

But finally returned discovering that the ephemeral joys of the world were endless like Agni in a

Homa kunda assuming larger and larger proportions as long as ghee is served and no human would be

satisfied with food, gold, ornaments or women. By so realising, he returned his youth to Puru and

took to Vanaprastha or retirement.

Kartaveeryarjuna in the Haihava Vamsha from the lineage of Yadu was an illustrious and powerful

Chakravarti who pleased Indra and obtained thousand mighty hands. The origin of Haihava Vamsha

was interesting: Once Surya Deva’s son Revanta rode on the Celestial Horse named ‘Ucchaishwara’

which was manifested in the course of ‘Kshira Samudra Mathana’ or the churning of the Ocean of

Milk. As Revanta reached Vaikuntha, Devi Lakshmi recognised the co-born horse and was engrossed

in her thoughts even as she was in intimate conversation with Lord Vishnu. The latter did not like the

interference and her thoughts and hence gave a ‘shaap’ (curse) that she would become a mare as she

was lost in indifference to him. Lakshmi Devi requested her companion Parvati to persuade Vishnu to

become a horse. The animal forms of Lakshmi and Vishnu gave birth to a male child in the forest and

the boy was picked up by King Yayati’s son Turvasu (Hari Varma) who was performing Tapasya for

several years for a son of celebrity; that boy was named Eka Vira who later became the King. Eka

Vira fell in love with Princess Ekavali the daughter of King Raibhya but a demon Kalaketu kidnapped

her and taken away to Patala; the companion of the Princess called Yasovati however knew a Seed

Mantra which she learnt from Dattareya by means of which Eka Vira reached Patala, killed Kalaketu

and married the Princess. The son of Eka Vira and Ekavali was Kartaveeryarjuna who became the

famed and undisputed Chakravarti eventually.His valour was such that in an encounter with

Ravanasura the villian of Ramayana subdued and arrested the latter’s Ten-Heads under his mighty

arms and released him only when Maharshi Pulastya made an appeal for mercy! The Chakravarti was

no doubt famed universally as he ruled with Dharma as his cardinal principle but in due course of

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no doubt famed universally as he ruled with Dharma as his cardinal principle but in due course of

time, he became too vainglorious and over-domineering. Once he gifted a huge forest to Agni Deva

and the latter comsumed it to satisfy his pleasure; but unfortunately for Agni and the Chakravarti,

Maharshi Vasishta’s Ashram too was burnt off and the Maharshi gave a ‘shaap’to Karta-veeryarjuna

that soon enough Vishnu’s incarnation as Parashurama would appear and the over-inflated

Chakravati would be destroyed , especially because the latter came to ill-treat and even torment

Rishis, Brahmanas and the majority of his Subjects. Indeed the curse took shape and Parashurama was

born. On one occasion, Kartaveerya visited the Ashram of Maharshi Jamadagni the father of Paraush

Rama when the latter was away in Tapasya. As the King and his army landed at the Ashram,

Jamadagni provided hospitality an served nice food to the King and the Army, thanks to the Celestial

Cow Kamadhenu was present there in the Ashram serving food to the students of Jamadagni. The

King claimed the Cow as the Ashram was in the control of the Kingdom. As an altercation between

the Maharshi and the King followed, the King went back but sent his army to overpower the Maharshi

and the Kamadhenu and in the encounted that followeed, Jamadagni was killed and the Celestial Cow

flew off to Swarga. On return from Tapasya., Parashurama learnt of his father’s cold-blooded murder

and in extreme anguish and anger attacked Kartaveerya and killed him. Not satisfied still,

Parashurama invaded the Kings of the nook and corner of Bharat in as many as tewnty one battles and

uprooted the entire clan of Kshatriyas who all by that time earned the disrepute and hatred of the

virtuous Subjects of the respective Kingdoms.

Parashurama’s encounter with Ganesha

After avenging his father’s death and the massacre of the erring Kshatriyas, Parashurama desired to

personally pay homage to Bhagavan Shiva and reached Kailasa; he witnessed Nandeeswara, Maha

Kaala, Ruru Bhairava, Rudraganas and Bhuta-Preta-Piscachas but finally Ganesha stopped him. All

kinds of requests, and prayers failed and Ganesha refused entry to Bhargava Rama as Devi Parvati

and Shiva were engaged in privacy. Finally, the latter lifted his Parashu (axe) and tried to force his

entry; Ganesha lifted his trunk , looped Parashurama with it and encircled him round and round where

by Bhargava visioned Sapta Dwipas, Sapta Parvatas, Sapta Samudras and Sapta Lokas viz.Bhur-

Bhuvar-Swara-Janar-Tapo-Dhruva-Gouri Lokas and Vaikuntha / and Golokas. In the process, the

mighty Parashurama hit one of Ganesha’s tusks with the Parashu that Maha Deva once gifted to

Bhragava and the tusk fell off and blood gushed out. The resting parents of Ganesha were shocked as

Kartikeya rushed and informed them. Parvati’s first reaction was to kill Parashurama but being the

Loka Mata or the Mother of the Universe restrained herself and addresed Parashurama as follows:

‘You are born in Brahma Vamsha to one of the illustrious sons Maharshi Jamadagni and to Devi

Renuka of Lakshmi ‘Amsha’or alternate Form of Devi Lakshmi. How did you do this to my son!

Shiva is your Guru since he taught Trailokya Vijaya Kavacha and countless Asrtras to you. Is this the

Guru Dakshina that you thought fit to give your Guru! You could have perhaps given a better

Dakshina by cutting Ganesha’s head instead of breaking his tusk only! My son Ganesha has the power

of destroying crores of cunning animals like you but was only playful with you; yet,you have only

wantonly hurt himby breaking his tusk-not as an accident but with vengeance; you may know that he

recieves the foremost worship all over the Universe!’ As Parvati addressed on the above lines,

Parashurama felt ashamed of himself, prostrated to his Guru Shiva and Devi Parvati and the Almighty

Shri Krishna the Immortlal. Meanwhile a Brahmana boy was visioned who actually was Vishnu who

analysed the situation; indeed there was no justification of what Parashurama did to Ganesha but

Parashurama was momentarily taken aback by folly as otherwise he was also like Ganesha or Skanda!

Vishnu therefore pleaded being the Universal Parents might not read much into the happening. Vishnu

also assauged the hurt feelings of Parvati and requested her not to impose personal angles into the

unhappy situation; He further said that her son had Eight names viz. Ganesha, Ekadanta, Heramba,

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Vighna nayaka, Lambodara, Shurpakarna, Gajavaktra and Guhaagraja! Parashurama pleaded mercy

of Parvati since she was Jagan Mata or the Mother of Creation and begged of Ganesha for pardon of

his indiscretion; Ganesha was graceful enough to agree of partial responsibility and the episode was

closed happily.

Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Nrisimha, Vamana and Parashurama Avataras

An ‘Avatara’ (Incarnation) is like the lighting of a lamp from another lamp; like-wise, Bhagavan is a

manifestation of same Bhagavan suited to specific purpose and particular end-use. Among such

Avatars of Vishnu, the first well-known manifestation of Matsya which retrieved the Sacred Vedas

stolen from Brahma by Makarasura, the son of Kashyapa Muni by Diti, one of his four wives besides

Aditi, Kadru and Vineeta; Diti’s other sons included Hayagriva, Hiranyaksha, Hiranya kashipu,

Jamba, Maya etc. Makarasura dived deep into the depths of ‘Maha Sagara’ (The Great Ocean) along

with the Vedas and other Scriptures, in the absence of which the entire order of ‘Samsara’ (Universe)

was totally affected: there were no ‘Chatur Varnas’; no Yagnas, Swadhaayas, Vashatkara and the

Sacred Rites thus upsetting the Equilibrium of Universal Traditions and Religious / Spiritual

Practices. This led to the inevitable Avatara as the Preserver of the Universal Order. By assuming the

form of a huge Fish, Vishnu entered the Ocean, killed Makarasura and recovered Vedas and Dharma.

Following a curse given by Maharshi Durvasa, son of Sage Atri, to Indra as the latter ignored the

Maharshi while passing by an elephant, Devi Lakshmi in the form of Rajya Lakshmi, deserted Indra

Loka and the magnificence of Swarga vanished. As Devas, Indra and Brahma approached Vishnu,

Narayana suggested that one way to recall Rajya Lakshmi to Swarga would be to resort to a massive

churning of the Ocean involving not only Devas but also Danavas, Rakshasas, Gandhtavas and

Yakshas. The temptation to Danavas etc. should be to obtain ‘Amrit’ although there might be several

other products of lesser consequence that might emerge as deftly conveyed to the Danavas. The

arrangement of the ‘Samudra Mathana’was that Manthara Mountain was to be set as the churning rod,

Maha Sarpa Vasuki was the string with which to tie up the Mountain and Bhagavan himself as

balancing Shakti as the Avatar of Kurma (Tortoise) to ensure that the Meru Mountain would be made

stable and steady. As the churning started, innumerable of the proud Danavas who opted for the head

of thousand faced Vasuki out of pride got perished due to the poisonous flames where as Devas were

at the tail end. Eventally, a massive ‘Halahala’ or the sky-rocketing poisonous flames engulfed the

Univerese and by the grace of Three Names of Lord Vishnu viz. Om Achyutaya Namah, Om

Anantaya Namah and Om Govindaya Namah, Bhagavan Shankara gulped the blue poisonous flames

in his throat thus giving him the epithet of Neela Kantha. By the power of the three names of Vishnu,

there would never be any hardship faced: Achyutaananta Govinda iti naamatrayam Maha Mantram

hareh/ yo japetpriyato Bhaktaayaa Pranavaadhyam namontakam/ Tasya Mrityu bhayam naasti

visharogaagnijam mahat/ Naamatrayam Maha Mantramjapedyam prayatatmavaan/ Kaala Mrityu

bhayam chaapi tasya naasti kimanyatah (Whoever recites the Three Names viz. Om Achyutaaya, Om

Anantaaya, and Om Govindaaya sincerely and with dedication, none of the poisonous diseases or

Agni- based frights/deaths would affect)! As the churning continued, Maha Lakshmi’s elder sister

Daridra Devi appeared and was directed to stay in the homes of quarrels, Adharmas, violences and

sins as also in the residences where residents of such homes in both the ‘Sandhya’ timings. As the

further churning made progress, there emerged Varuni Devi, Nagaraja Ananta, GarudaPatni, Apsaras,

Gandhavas, Iravata, Ucchaaishrava Ashwa, Dhanvantari, Parijaata Tree, Surabhi, Maha Lakhsmi,

Chandra and Devi Tulasi. All the Devas and Brahma requested Maha Lakshmi to be seated on Maha

Vishnu’s Lotus-like Heart where the whole World would worship on Ekadashi and Dwadashi days.

Devas and Brahma eulogized Kurma Rupa Vishnu and requested him to provide shield to Sesha Nag

and ‘Diggajaas’or the Four Directional Elephants as also Bhu Devi all reting on the permanent Avatar

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of Maha Kurma. While the primary reason in the Kurma Avatar was the resurgence of Maha Lakshmi

and her manifestation of Rajya Lakshmi who disappeared in Swaraga pursuant to Durvasa’s curse to

Indra Deva, another major fall-out of ‘Ksheera Sagara Mathana’was the emergence of ‘Amrit’ meant

for Devas, which again was distributed by Devi Mohini, another manifestation of Vishnu.

As Hiranyaakasha, the mighty son of Devi Diti pulled up Bhu Devi and dragged her into the depths of

the Ocean down deep into the netherland of Rasatala, Lord Vishnu assumed the incarnation of Maha

Varaha and killed him. Devi Prithvi heaved a great sigh of relief and prayed to Him saying that he

was her rediscovery, her mighty ‘Adhara’ or the Hold, his unique rescuer and without her existence

was unreal. Since Devi Prithvi was about to sink but for his timely mercy, she was popularly called

Madhavi or the Lord as Madhava. Siince Maha Varaha roared as an acknowledgement of her ‘Stuti’,

the resultant sounds were heard as Sama Veda and he lifted the Earth by his horns in one single ‘go’

and leapt up from Rasatala to restore her back into her original position when Devas showered

flowers and Maharshis recited Vedas, describing the Lord’s playful deeds.They said that the distance

between the Underworld, Prithi and Sky was the only comprehensible Place that one’s imagination

knew as spread over by Him, but the Unknown still remained a great mystery or Maya! Even as

Maha Varaha placed Bhu Devi as a mammoth ship on the endless water, Bhagavan made divisions of

Sapta Dwipas and materialized the four Lokas afresh viz. Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka, Swarloka and

Maharloka and Lord Brahma resumed his task of Creation.

As Hiranyaaksha was killed, his brother Hiranyakashipu reached Meru Giri and did ruthless Tapasya

for thousand ‘Deva’years and pleased Parama Shiva with the Panchakshari Mantra ‘Om Namah

Shivaaya’ and secured the very exhaustive boon of victory over ‘Mrityu’(death) from Devatas,

Asuras, Human Beings, Gandharvas, Nagas, Rakshasas, Animals, Birds, Reptiles, Siddhas, Yakshas,

Vidyadharas, and Kinnaras, Diseases and ‘Astra-Shastras’. Armed by the all comprehensive boon,

Hiranyakashipu had truly turned to be the Over-Lord of the whole Universe keeping all the Lokas

under his control, commanding Devas and even‘Pancha Bhutas’. He had declared that he should be

worshipped in Temples and Yagnas be performed in his name! In course of time, he was blessed with

a son named Prahlada and as the latter came of the tender age of a boy was sent to Gurukula where all

the glories of Danavas were taught. But Prahlada was a staunch Vaishnava with supreme dedication to

Narayana. When he returned from his early spell of Gurukula to his father, he stunned the latter when

he was all praise for Vishnu and affirmed that Vishnu was the unique driving force of Universal

Existence and that he was the Eternal, Timeless, Indestructible, All- Pervading, Omni Potent and

Omni-scient Paramatma. Hiranyakashipu was in great rage that his opponent Vishnu who killed his

brother Hiranyaksha was being praised in his presence and was about to kill the boy’s Guru; Prahlada

confirmed that his Guru tried his very best to divert him from Narayana to his own father as the

Supreme but failed and thus the Guru was spared. Then Hiranyakashipu himself sought to tutor the

boy by cajoling him, endearing him, self-praising his own achievements and so on. He utilized the

Sama (Advice and Mild reproach), Bheda (seeking to divide Vishnu as an Evil Force and himself as

an Almighty), Daana (gifts of whatever nature on Earth or elsewhere) and even ‘Danda’ by way of

punishment. But, Prahlada never ever relented and continued to extol the virtues of Vishnu. As his

father lost all his patience, he resorted to measures of deadly nature and Prahlada’s conviction too got

redoubled. The paternal care and affection of Hiranya -kashipu were totally replaced by hatred,

vengeance and retaliation for his son who turned out to be his sworn enemy; he exposed him to

poisonous snakes which gave him the kiss of death but Prahlada survived while extolling Narayana;

he threw him into the cages of tigers which ate up his limbs but still the Parama Bhakta survived

singing hymns of Govinda; he got the tender boy crushed under elephants but still the matchless

follower of Madhusudana survived praising the Leelas of Keshava; he threw him from high mountain

tops but still the most trusted devotee survived rejoicing the ecstasy of Madhava’s glories! Finally,

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Hiranyakashipu got on to his wits’ end; he said that if Vishnu were ‘Sarva Vyapi’ (All Pervasive), he

asked Prahlada to show that Narayana any where, say in that Pillar and broke it with his mace, or

otherwise he would most certainly stop Prahlada’s breathing. As though there were earth quakes and

storms, there emerged the most fearful Man-Lion, Narasimha, who had half-body as a giant- like

Lion roaring in a manner that the whole World trembled and the other half like a colossal human

being as a personification of ‘Mrityu’ with mighty thighs and legs; the Strange Creation which was

neither human nor leonine lifted the massive body of the Danava on his thighs and tore him into

pieces with sharp nails and hefty hands, rejoicing the drink of the victim’s blood and eating chunks of

his meat! No doubt, Devatas were overjoyed at the death of the Danava but were terrified to vision the

unusual form of Nrisimha and prayed to him to cool down; they prayed to Devi Lakshmi to pacify the

Lord who made efforts to pacify his anger; Prahlada who too was in shock was declared the King to

revive Dharma again.

As the grandson of King Prahlada, the illustrious Danava King Bali (son of Virochana), was born as a

devout Vaishnava and ‘Dharmajna’ but at the same time as an enormous warrior who defeated Devas

and Marudganas and controlled the Three Lokas. But in King Bali’s regime, his ‘Praja’ (the Public)

was extremely happy when Lord Varuna gave optimal rains, Devi Prithvi yielded excellent crops,

cows gave maximum milk, and there was alround Prosperity and Peace.As King Bali was a highly

dedicated to Srihari, the usual bitterness among the Pubic and the Establishment was absent and the

values of ‘Dharma’ and ‘Nyaya’ (Virtue and Justice) in the Society were intact. But Lord Indra was

dislodged from his throne and so were the various Devas. Sage Kashyapa and Devi Aditi prayed to

Shrihari and requested to do justice to Devas and Indra as King Bali used ‘Maya’ to worship Vishnu

and at the same time kept Indra and Devas aloof from Swarga cleverly and keeping the best of all the

Three worlds with him! Kashyapa thus requested Vishnu to be born to the former and Aditi and by

resorting the same kind of Maya, bestow his Throne and Indratwa to to Indra! Bhagavan agreed to be

born to Aditi and Kashyapa as Vamana Avatar. As Vamana grew up as a Brahmachari, he learnt

Vedas and other Scriptures and sporting ‘Mriga Charma’ (Skin of a Deer), Danda (Stick) and wooden

footwear appeared at the Yagna being performed by King Bali and asked for a mere three feet of land

as Bhu daan (charity of Land).Daithya Guru Shukracharya warned that this short man Vamana was a

fake and was Bhagavan Vishnu himself. King Bali stated that if the Brahmachari was Vishnu himself,

which other greater fortune there could be! Vamana then assumed a sky-high proportion of body and

measured one foot as the entire Prithvi with land, Samudra, Parvat, Dwip, etc totalling fifty koti

Yojanas (13-16 kilo mtr. perYojana); by way of the ‘Dwiteeya Pada’(second foot space), Vamana

Deva counted the Nakshtras, Grahas (Planets), Devalokas, Brahmaloka etc. But the second foot still

fell short of the required size of the second foot.Brahma had the opportunity of Vishnu’s ‘Maha

Vishwa Darshan’. As there was no space for the third foot, Vishnu Deva pushed Bali’s head down to

Rasatala and made him the King of Danavas, Nagas and water-based Beings till the end of the Kalpa!

Maharshi Jamadagni of Bhrugu Vamsha did Tapsya and pleased Surabhi the Celestial Cow and was

extremely contented as the Holy Cow fulfilled all his desires and enjoyed a contented life. He married

Devi Renuka and performed a Putra Kaameshti Yagna and was blessed with the son named Parashu

Rama. After his ‘Upanayana Samskara’ and Gayatri Upadesha, he performed rigorous Tapasya,

pleased Kashyapa who taught the Avinashi Mantra Om Namo Narayanaya Namah and performed

Yagnas, Daanaas etc. One day, Haihaya King Kartavirya happened to visit the Ashram of Jagadagni

and was impressed with Surabhi as the Cow that could fulfil all desires and wished to take it away by

force. Surabhi killed the King’s army and reverted back to Swargaloka. The King grew angry and

killed Jamadagni. There Parashurama secured from Lord Vishnu, a ‘Parashu’ (axe), Vaishnava

Dhanush and Shastra-Astras and instructed him to lessen the weight on Earth of highly crazy and

egoistic Kshatriyas by killing them On return to the Ashram he found his father killed by

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egoistic Kshatriyas by killing them. On return to the Ashram, he found his father killed by

Kartaviryarjuna and rushed to the latter’s Kingdom, killed him, and went all out on a spree of killing

Kshatriayas to completely uproot their clans (except Ikshvaku Vamsa as per his mother’s request). As

Shi Rama pulled down Shiva Dhanush, Parashu Rama surfaced again and challenged Rama to break

Vaishnava Dhanush and when Rama did it, retired to the Ashram of Nara-Narayana thereafter.

Quick retrospective of Ramayana

Swayambhu Manu preformed Tapasya to Lord Vishnu for thousand years and when the latter

appeared, Manu desired that he would like to have Vishnu as his son. The Lord agreed and said that in

fact as a part of the task of Preservation of ‘Dharma’ (Virtue), he would like to appear on Earth from

time to time as and when Dharma was threatened and Evil Forces gathered momentum; he said:

Paritranaaya Sadhunaam Vinaasaaya cha Dushkrutaam, Dharma samsthaapanaarthaaya

sambhavaami yuge yugey! (I shall no doubt take human birth to revive Dharma and punish Evil from

time to time). As promised by Vishnu, Swayambhu was born in Raghukula as King Dasaratha and

became the father of Shri Rama in Treta Yuga, as Vasudeva in Yadava Kula in DwaparaYuga and one

thousand Divya Years hence as Brahmana Harigupta in Samhal Village in Kali Yuga. The two

brothers Hirankaksha and Hiranyakashipu of the Satya Yuga were born as Ravana and Kumbhakarna

in Treta Yuga. Muni Pulastya’s son was Muni Vishvava and the latter’s wife was Kaikashi; Ravana

and Kumbhakarna were born to Vishvava and Kaikeshi. Kaikeshi also gave birth to Surpanakha and

later on to the virtuous devotee of Narayana, Vibhishana. Ravana brothers performed severe Tapasya

and secured boons of invincibility from Devas, Danavas and Rakshasas and harassed Devad who fled

from Swarga and prayed to Vishnu who assured that he would soon be born to King Dasaratha as

Rama and demolish the entire race of Ravana; Vishnu also asked Devas to assume the births of

‘Vanaras’ and assist in this holy task. In the Surya Vamsa, Vaivasvata Muni begot King Ikshvaku and

Dasaratha was born to Ikshvaku. Devi Koushalya was born to the King of Koushalya and was wedded

to King Dasaratha at Ayodhya on the banks of River Sarayu.Dasaratha also married Sumitra and

Kaikeyi.He became a powerful yet righteous King with Sage Vasishtha as the Raja Guru and

performed the Putra-Kameshthi Yagna. From the ‘Agni Kunda’at the eventful Yagna, Maha Vishnu

Him self gave Darshan to Dasaratha and assured that he would soon be born to him to save the

Devoted and kill the Evil. He handed over a’Kheer Patra’ to the three Devis; Kaushalya and Kaikeyi

took half each and gave half of their portions to Sumitra; thus the eldest boy was born to Kaushalya,

Bharat was born to Kaikeyi and Lakshmana and Shatrughna were born to Sumitra. Sage Vasishtha

named the eldest as ‘Shri Rama’ since that was the ‘Swataha Siddha’ name as he was the husband of

Shri Devi and the equivalent of Vishnu’s Sahasranaamaas, providing salvation to the devotees and

since his birth was in Chaitra month dear to Vishnu. As the boys grew up, Rama and Lakshmana was

one pair and Bharata and Shatrughna was another. In the meantime, Bhagavati Lakshmi was

materialized as King Janaka found her while digging Earth in Yagna by a plough top called ‘sita’ and

thus named Sita and most endearingy brought up as his own daughter. Sage Vishvamitra derised that

Rama and Lakshmana should protect one Yagna being organized by him on the banks of Ganga, sine

there were always threats of Rakshasas to destroy Yagnas by pouring blood and such other foul

material. Very reluctantly, Dasaratha allowed to let them go to protect the Yagna which apparently

served many purposes as subtly planned by the Sage: one to let the World realize that Rama a mere

teen-ager was of Vishnu ‘Amsa’ and introduced Rama to the Rakshasas that they should better

beware; Vishwamitra could teach the nuances of Shastra-Astra Vidya to the brothers; to afford an

exposure to Rama at Sita Swayamvaraamong the great Kings of the day including a warning to

Ravanasura that the Avatar of Vishnu had arrived; and also to consummate the Sacred Wedding of

Rama and Sita. As visualised the Sage, all these and many other events took place: the killing of

Rakshasi Tadaki and the Rakshasa called Subahu as also the use of ‘Vayavyastra’ to sweep away

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demon Maricha to a far off place so that he would have to float again at a later date to assume the role

of ‘Maya Golden Deer’ before Devi’s abduction by Ravanasura; the liberation of Devi Ahalya by

giving her normal form from a stone due to Sage Gautami-her husband’s curse; the smash of Shiva

Dhanush; the wedding of Rama and Sita apart, Lakshmana was married to Urmila, Bharat to Mandvi,

and Shatrughna with Shrutikirti; the rupture of Parasurama’s ego by the shatter of Vaishnava Dhanush

and his exit from the active life into the Ashram of Nara-Narayana.

Even as the City of Ayodhya was going in euphoria with preparations of Shri Rama’s becoming the

Yuva Raja (the Heir Apparent) of the Kingdom, Devi Kaikeyi declared her intention known that

Rama should proceed for a fourteen year long spell of ‘Vana Vasa’ (forest life) and Bharata to

become the Heir Apparent; this was in the light of a boon that Dasaratha gave to Kaikeyi as she saved

him on a war front and she reserved to deman it at this juncture.Bharat was out of station at his

maternal uncle’s place and did not know about the demand; Devi Sita insisted accompanying Rama

and so did Lakshmana; Dasaratha was in a swoon, followed by death; the entire population of the

Kingdom was crest-fallen; Bharata insisted on Rama’s return but on the latter’s refusal took Rama’s

footwear kept on the Throne which was worshipped daily and he became a temporary Administrator

on behalf of King Rama. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana the reached the mountain of Chitrakoot for a

brief stay at the Ashram of Bharadwaja, further on to the Ashram of Atri Muni where the Muni’s wife

Devi Anasuya enlightened the regulations of a ‘Pativrata’ anf finally entered the Dandakaranya where

they stayed for long with Munis visiting their ‘Panchavati’ (a thatched cottage). One frightful day,

demoness Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana and Kumbhakarna, arrived at the Parnashala and proposed

to Rama.Lakshmana cut off her ears and nose and as retaliation two Rakshasas attacked Rama and

Lakshmana and the latter killed the domons. Surpanakha approached Ravana who planned the

arrtaction of the golden deer disguised as Maricha. Sita was tempted to secure the deer and Rama

alone chased the Maya Mriga and killed the demon while the latter shouted loudly the name of Rama

to mislead Sita and Lakshmana so that Lakshmana would leave Sita and Ravana could enter the scene.

Lakshmana drew a line around Panchavati with Mantras and asked Sita not to go beyond the line.

Ravana arrived as a Muni and asked for alms and Sita wanted him to enter the line but Ravana did not

and insisted Sita to come out. As soon as she came out, Ravana appeared in his original form and

abducted her by his Pushpak Viman. As Sita was sobbing loudly, the giant bird Jatayu, who was a

friend of Dasaratha, made desperate attempts to stop Ravana’s Viman but the mighty Ravana slashed

the bird’s wings as it fell down in a faint. As Rama and Lakshmana did not find Sita on their return,

they frantically searched and the dying Jatayu conveyed that Sita was abducted by Ravana. Having

performed obsequies to Jatayu, Rama and Lakshmana reached the Ashram of Devi Shabari a unique

devotee of Shri Rama and treated the brothers with fruits and Rama gave her the boon of Vishnu

Sayujya. Hanuman met Rama and Lakshmana and assured all kinds of assistance to Rama in finding

Sita and eventually to destroy Ravana and his clan. He introduced the fugitive King of Kishkindha

named Sugriva, raised confidence to Sugriva in killing his valiant brother Vaali who occupied his

throne and after reoccupying his throne sent Hanuman to Lanka in search of Sita.The mighty

Hanuman crossed the ocean and spotted Sita in Ashoka Vatika sobbing under an Ashoka

tree.Hanuman convinced Sita as a devotee of Rama by showing Rama’s ring and assured her that very

soon Rama and Lakshmana would reach Lanka with a huge Vanara Sena (Monkey brigade), kill

Ravana and his entire followers and relieve her of bondage. Hanuman created havoc in the Ashoka

vatika by killing all the security personnel, five Senapatis, seven sons of Ravana’s Ministers, and a

son of Ravana. Indrajit the elder son of Ravana who also was a reputed warrior having defeated Indra

and specialized in wars on the clouds thus securing the epithet of ‘Meghanadha’ encountered

Hanuman who feigned Indrajit’s control; Hanuman was face to face with Ravana in the latter’s court

and allowed himself to let his tail burn which was extended endlessly and destroyed a large part of

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Ravana’s City as a warning to him that soon Rama and Lakshmana would arrive at Lanka to destroy

Ravana and his entire tribe. On return to Kishkintha, Hanuman conveyed Rama and others about

Sita’s bondage. Rama, Lakshmana and the mammoth Vanara Sena under Sugriva’s leadership arrived

on the sea coast to reach Lanka on the other side of the Ocean. Rama prayed to Samudra Deva (the

Deity of the Ocean) to reduce the force of the violent tides and when Samudra Deva did not relent was

even ready to punish the Deity. Samudra Deva the facilitated the construction of Rama Setu or the

Bridge in the name of Rama across the Ocean; huge boulders were thrown into the Ocean with the

name of Rama inscribed and the boulders floated enabling the construction of the Bridge.Meanwhile

the younger brother of Ravana called Vibhishana, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu approached

Rama for refuge and soon became a confidant of Rama about matters related to Ravana and his

associates. Having crossed the Rama Setu, the gigantic and mighty Monkey Brigade commenced

furious battle with the gallant Rakshasas. Indrajit who was a highly renowned warrior fought and

killed thousands of Vanaras and succeeded in tying Rama and Lakshmana with ‘Nagaastra’, when

Garuda the Carrier of Vishnu appeared and the snakes withered away. Meanwhile Kumbhakarna,

another brother of Ravana who had a giant figure fought recklessly killing tens of thousands of Rama

Sena, but finally fell down to the torrential rain-like arrows of Shri Rama. Indrajit attacked

Lakshmana and made the latter unconscious when Hanuman brought Sanjeevini Mountain with

medicinal shrubs got Lakshmana revived; in the fierce battle that followed, Rama and Lakshmana

destroyed Indrajit. In the meantime, Ravana desired to perform an ‘Abhicharatmika’ (Evil-oriented)

Yagna out of desperation for Victory, but a few brave Vanaras got scent of it and destroyed the

Yagna. Then Ravana rode into the battle with his entire army of massive strength comprising

elephants, horses, chariots and infantry and massacred Vanaras. Indra sent his Divya Ratha (Divine

Chariot) to Shri Rama with Matangi as the Charioteer and the Greatest Battle of Treta Yuga was

fought for seven days and nights, even as all the Devas headed by Indra, besides Brahma and Rudra,

watched the Grand Spectacle of Rama-Ravana Yuddha! Rama had systematically smashed Ravana’s

ten heads, but the destroyed heads were sprouting again and again and Ravana was thundering world

shaking shrieks to show Rama’s helplessness. Lord Shiva gave a boon to Ravana to let the smashed

heads were revived again and again. Finally, Rama pulled up his most powerful ‘Brahmastra’ to

destroy a stock of ‘Ambrosia’in his belly (as hinted by Vibhishana) and crushed his chest which

pierced through Earth and crashed into Rasatala into the nether world. Instantly, Devas who were

visioning the proceedings from the Skies went into ecstasy showering rain of scented flowers on

Rama; Indra, Brahma and Rudra were relieved; Gandharvas and Kinneras sang tuneful of lyrics of the

Lord; Apsaras danced with immense joy; Sanaka and Sanandana brothers who gave a curse to Jaya

and Vijaya the Dwarapaalakas of Vaikuntha as they were obstructed entry to vision Vishnu were

satisfied that out of three births the first human birth was completed; Maharshis and Siddhas recited

Vedas and Scriptures as also hymns extolling Shri Rama. Rama then appointed Vibhishana as the

King of Lanka and blessed him and his progeny to rule till the next Pralaya!

Thereafter Devi Sita was directed to prove her ‘Pativratya’ (Purity) by entering into an ‘Agni Kunda’

since she stayed away for long time in Lanka before a huge gathering of spectators; even Devas,

Brahma and Rudra witnessed the scene, let alone Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, human beings etc.

Om Tat Sat

(Continued)

My humble salutations to the lotus feet of  H H Chandrasekharendra  Saraswathi Mahaswamy ji  and

 compiled , composed  and interpreted  by Brahmasri Sreeman  V D N Rao ji for the collection)