How Rishi Durvasa's curse resulted in the 'Greatest Show on Earth - The Kumbh Mela'!

Rishi Durvasa holds a special place in the many lores of Hindu mythology.

To begin with he was the ‘avatar’ of Lord Shiva born to Atri and Anasuya.

He was extremely feared for his short temper. He didn’t think twice before giving a shraap (curse) to anyone who didn't please him.

[caption id="attachment_577" align="aligncenter" width="218"] Durvasa cursing Shakuntala[/caption]

Right from Ambaraisha to Shakuntala and even Lakshman ‘suffered’ due to his curse. (more on these stories later)

But the one person who was one of his earliest ‘victims’ and whose attempts to get back to what he had lost resulted in a series of events due to which millions of followers come together once in 12 years to wash away all their sins.

The individual I am talking about is Indra and it is the Kumbh Mela which resulted from curse Sage Durvasa had given Indra.

Let’s know more about this story today.

[caption id="attachment_578" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Vidyadhari giving the garland to Durvasa[/caption]

Once Durvasa was wandering on earth, when he came across a female Vidyadhari (a nymph of the air) who was wearing a beautiful garland of flowers. Seeing Durvasa being attracted to the garland the nymph respectfully gave it to the sage. When he came back from earth, the sage came across Indra riding his elephant, Airavata.

[caption id="attachment_579" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Indra riding on Airavata[/caption]

Durvasa presented the garland to Indra, who not sure of what to do with the garland placed it on Airavata's head. The elephant was irritated by the fragrance of the nectar in the flowers and threw the garland to the ground with its trunk and crushed it with his feet. Durvasa was enraged to see his gift treated so callously and immediately cursed Indra that he would be cast down from his position of dominion over the three worlds, just as the garland was cast down.

Indra immediately begged Durvasa's forgiveness, but the sage refused to retract or even soften his curse, and went on his way.

Because of the curse, Indra and the Devas were diminished in strength and shorn of their lustre. Seizing this opportunity, the Asuras led by Bali waged war against the gods. The Devtas were routed and turned to Brahma for help.

Brahma in turn directed them to seek refuge with Vishnu. Vishnu in turn gave the idea for the Samudra Manthan.

Stay tuned; the story becomes very interesting from here ;)

"Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya" - Message of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious occasions for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of India with different customs and names; but with the same spirit everywhere.

Makar Sankranti as a Harvest Festival
Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival celebrated in various parts of India. According to the lunar calendar, when the sun moves from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer or from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana, in the month of Pausha in mid-January, it commemorates the beginning of the harvest season and cessation of the northeast monsoon in South India. The movement of the Sun from one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti and as the Sun moves into the Capricorn zodiac known as Makar in Hindi, this occasion is named as Makar Sankranti in the Indian context.

The festival of Makar Sankranti is highly regarded by the Hindus from North to down South. The day is known by various names and a variety of traditions are witnessed as one explores the festival in different states.

Astrological Significance of Makar Sankranti
Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti stands for transition. There is a sankranti every month when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to the next. There are twelve signs of the zodiac, and thus there are twelve sankranti's as well. Each of these sankranti's has its own relative importance but two of these are more important - the Mesh (Aries) Sankranti and the most important, the Makar (Capricorn) Sankranti. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn, during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as Makar Sankranti. From this day begins the six-month long Uttarayana, considered very auspicious for attaining higher worlds hereafter.

While the traditional Indian Calendar is basically based on lunar positions, but sankranti is a solar event, so while dates of all festivals keep changing, the English calendar date of Makar Sankranti is always same, 14th January. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu Calendar month of Magha. There is another significance of this day, after this day the days start becoming longer & warmer, and thus the chill of winter in on decline.

Mythological Legends associated with Makar Sankranti



1. The Puranas say that on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is the swami of Makar Rashi. These father & son do not ordinarily get along nicely, but inspite of any difference between each other Lord Sun makes it a point to meet each other on this day. Father in fact himself comes to his son’s house, for a month. This day symbolized the importance of special relationship of father & son. It is the son who has the responsibility to carry forward his fathers dream and the continuity of the family.

2.  From Uttarayana starts the ‘day’ of Devatas, while Dakshinayana is said to be the ‘night’ of devatas, so most of the auspicious things are done during this time. Uttarayana is also called as Devayana, and the next half is called Pitrayana.

3.  It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terrorism of the Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandar Parvat. So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living.

4. The great savior of his ancestors, Maharaj Bhagirath, did great Tapasya to bring Ganga down on the earth for the redemption of 60,000 sons of Maharaj Sagar, who were burnt to ashes at the Kapil Muni Ashram, near the present day Ganga Sagar. It was on this day that Bhagirath finally did tarpan with the Ganges water for his unfortunate ancestors and thereby liberated them from the curse. After visiting the Patala for the redemption of the curse of Bhagirath’s ancestors Gangaji finally merged in the Sagar. Even today a very big Ganga Sagar Mela is organized every year on this day at the confluence of River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Lakhs take dip in the water and do tarpan for their ancestors.

5. Another well-known reference of this day came when the great grandsire of Mahabharata fame, Bhishma, declared his intent to leave his mortal coil on this day. He had the boon of Ichha-Mrityu from his father, so he kept lying on the bed of arrows till this day and then left his mortal coil on Makar Sankranti day. It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana, becomes free from transmigration.

Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere and thus it signifies an event wherein the Sun-God seems to remind their children that 'Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya'- may you go higher & higher, to more & more Light and never to Darkness.

To Hindus, the Sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom. Makar Sankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live, and begin to enjoy a new life with bright light within us to shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom and knowledge, even as the Sun does from the day of Makar Sankranti.

Wishing all of you a Happy Makar Sankranti :)

Lo aa gayi Lohri :)

Lohri is essentially a festival dedicated to fire and the sun god. It is the time when the sun moves towards the north.

When is Lohri celebrated?
According to the Bikram calendar, Lohri falls in the month of Paush i.e. around 13 January, as per the Gregorian calendar. It is, actually, celebrated a day before Makara Sankranti, as it marks the end of the winter season. Lohri is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti. Makara Sankranti marks beginning of the solar Maagha masa, and Lohri must be celebrated on the last day of the solar Dhanur masa, which also marks the exit of the sun from Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius).

Legends behind the origin of Lohri
1. Loi - Kabir's wife
Some people believe that Lohri has derived its name from Loi, the wife of Saint Kabir.

2. Loh
There is a legend amongst some people that Lohri comes from the word 'loh', which means the light and the warmness of fire

3. Til and Reodi
Eating of til (sesame seeds) and rorhi is considered to be essential on Lohri day. Perhaps the words til and rorhi merged to become tilorhi, which eventually got shortened to Lohri

Connection between Lohri and Dulla Bhatti
The central character of most Lohri songs is Dulla Bhatti. He lived in Punjab during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He was regarded as a hero in Punjab. Besides robbing the rich, he rescued girls being forcibly taken to be sold in slave market of the Middle East from the Sandal Bar region. He arranged their marriages to boys of their religion with rituals and provided them with dowries. For such popular actions aimed at disbursing looted money amongst poor, he is also known as 'Robin Hood of Punjab'. So every other Lohri song has words to express gratitude to Dulla Bhatti.

Mythological Legend behind Lohri
Lohri and Holika were two sisters. It is said that Hiranyakayshapu ordered Holika to sit in the fire taking Prahlad in her lap along with Lohri. Prahlad escaped with Lohri whereas Holika perished in the fire.

 

Lohri Festival is celebrated with great pomp in North India. People gather around the bonfire and throw til, puffed rice & popcorns into the flames of the bonfire. Prayers are offered to the bonfire seeking abundance & prosperity.

In January, the fields come up with the promise of a golden harvest, and farmers celebrate Lohri during this rest period before the cutting and gathering of crops. Lohri is traditionally associated with the harvest of the rabi crops. The purpose of the Lohri harvest ceremony is to thank the God for his care and protection. throughout the day and night.

Wishing all of you a Happy Lohri :)


 

Astrology behind 'When' and 'Where' Kumbh Mela is held

Let's find out the astrology behind when and where Kumbh Mela is held based on astrological calculations as given in Hindu scriptures.

According to the astrological calculations, event of Kumbh (a festival occurring every 12 years) takes place in 4 ways as follows:

1. In the event of entrance of Jupiter in Aquarius (Zodiac sign) and entrance of Sun in Aries (Zodiac sign) Kumbh festival is held at Haridwar.

" पद्मिनी नायके मेषे कुम्भ राशि गते गुरोः ।

गंगा द्वारे भवेद योगः कुम्भ नामा तथोत्तमाः।। "

 

2. In the event of entrance of Jupiter in Aries circle and entrance of Sun and Moon in Capricorn Kumbh Festival is held at Prayag on the lunar conjunction day (अमावस्या)

" मेष राशि गते जीवे मकरे चन्द्र भास्करौ ।

अमावस्या तदा योगः कुम्भख्यस्तीर्थ नायके ।। "

Kumbh Festival is also held at Prayag in the event of entrance of Sun in Capricorn and entrance of Jupiter in Taurus .

मकरे च दिवा नाथे ह्मजगें च बृहस्पतौ कुम्भ योगोभवेत्तत्र प्रयागे ह्यति दूलर्भ:

 

3. In the event of entrance of Jupiter in Leo Kumbh Festival is held at Nasik on the bank of river Godavari

" सिंह राशि गते सूर्ये सिंह राशौ बृहस्पतौ ।

गोदावर्या भवेत कुम्भों जायते खलु मुक्तिदः ।। "

When Jupiter, Sun and Moon enters in Cancer on lunar conjunction (Amavasya - last day of the dark half of a month) then also Kumbh Festival is held on the bank of river Godavari.

" कर्के गुरू स्तथा भानुचन्द्रश्चन्द्रर्क्षगतस्था ।

गोदावर्या तदा कुम्भो जयाते Sवनि मण्डले ।। "

4. In the event of entry of Jupiter in Leo and entry of Sun in Aries Kumbh Festival is held at Ujjain.

" मेष राशि गते सूर्ये सिंह राशौ बृहस्पतौ ।

उज्जियन्यां भवेत कुम्भः सदामुक्ति प्रदायकः ।। "

When Jupiter enters in Libra and Sun & Moon remain together on Kartik Amavasya (8th month of Hindu year) then also Moksha Dayak (Free from all bonds) Kumbh Festival is held at Ujjain.

" घरेसूरिः शशि सूर्य कुह्मं दामोदरे यदा।

धरायां च तदा कुम्भों जायते खलु मुक्तिद: ।। "

                                                                           " अहं राष्ट्री संगमनी वसूनाम्श् "

 

Why Kumbh Mela is held after 12 years only?

Answer to this is in the Samudra Manthan (Sea Churning). Jayant took 12 days to carry the nectar kalash to the heaven. One day of Gods was equal to one year of the humans. It is why that in the sequence of stars state at 12th year Kumbh is held at festival places.

Kumbha Mela - The world's biggest religious gathering

Kumbh Mela is the greatest pilgrimage and festival in the Hindu religion. Derived from Kumbha meaning ‘pitcher’ and Mela meaning ‘festival’, Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times every 12 years, the site of the observance rotating between four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers: at Haridwar on the Ganges River, at Ujjain on the Kshipra, at Nasik on the Godavari, and at Prayag (Allahabad) at the confluence of the Ganga, Jamuna, and the 'mythical' Saraswati.

It is held in twelve year cycles, alternating in such a way that about every three years a Kumbha Mela takes place.

Kumbha Mela has gained international fame as "the world's most massive act of faith". The festival is often regarded as the "biggest religious gathering in the world".

There are five types of Kumbh Melas:

1. Maha Kumbh Mela - occurs after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas' or 144 years – takes place only in Allahabad


2. Purna Kumbh Mela - occurs after every 12 years - at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik


3. Ardh Kumbh Mela - celebrated every six years - at Haridwar and Allahabad


4. Kumbh Mela - celebrated every 3rd year - rotating between Prayag, Nasik, Haridwar and Ujjain


5. Magh Mela - annual, held every year except years of Kumbh Mela and Ardh Kumbh Mela - only in Allahabad

Kumbh Mela is celebrated at different locations depending on the position of the planet of Bṛihaspati (Jupiter) and the Sun (more on this a later post).

Famous ancient traveller, Huen Tsang of China, was the first to mention Kumbha Mela in his diary. His diary mentions the celebration of 75 days of Hindu month of Magha (January-February), which witnessed half a million devotee including sadhus, common man, rich & famous & kings.

The great Indian saint Shankara, who lived in the 8th century CE, is credited with popularizing the Kumbh Mela among the common people.

Renowned American author Mark Twain was so mesmerised after visiting the Kumbh Mela of 1895 that he wrote:

“It is wonderful, the power of a faith like that, that can make multitudes upon multitudes of the old and weak and the young and frail enter without hesitation or complaint upon such incredible journeys and endure the resultant miseries without repining. It is done in love, or it is done in fear; I do not know which it is. No matter what the impulse is, the act born of it is beyond imagination, marvelous to our kind of people, the cold whites.”

Snana Parva or bathing in the river  is one of the most important part of the Kumbh Mela (detailed post on this later). It is believed that it washes away all the sins and the cycle of rebirth and death ends as the soul becomes one with God Almighty.

Starting today we will one by one unravel all the aspects associated with Kumbh Mela.

The connection between the city of Gaya and Sage Marichi

Amongst all the holy tirthas, Gaya in Bihar has a special place.

This is the story of the demon after whom the city is named.

A demon named Gayasura once started to perform tapasya. Such was the power of his tapasya that the Devtas started to worry about the intentions behind this extreme penance. They went to Vishnu and sought his help. Vishnu pacified the Devtas went to Gayasura to grant him a boon.

"Grant me the boon that I may become the most sacred of all tirthas," replied the daitya.

The boon was granted and Gayasura disappeared. Vishnu then instructed Brahma and the Devtas to perform a sacrifice. He also asked them to go to Gayasura and ask for his body so that the sacrifice might be performed on it. As soon as Gayasura agreed, his head fell off from the body. Brahma then proceeded to perform the sacrifice on Gayasura's headless body. But as soon as the sacrifice started, the body began to shake.

To overcome this hiccup it was decided that all the Devtas along with Vishnu would enter a stone which would be placed on Gayasura's body so that the body would not shake.

Gaya is sacred because it is believed that through this stone the gods and Vishnu are always present in Gaya.

Now, let's look at the story behind this stone.

The sage Marichi was Brahma's son and had married Dharmavrata. One day Marichi went to the forest to collect wood and flowers and returned extremely tired. He called Dharmavrata and said, "I am very tired. Wash my feet."

Dharmavrata began to wash Marichi's feet when Lord Brahma suddenly arrived. Dharmavrata did not know what to do. Should she finish washing her husband's feet? Or should she first attend to Brahma, since Brahma was Marichi's father?

She decided to attend to Brahma first. Marichi became very angry on seeing this and cursed Dharmavrata converting her into a stone. Dharmavrata performed tapasya for many years to overcome this curse. Vishnu was pleased at Dharmavrata's meditation and offered to grant her a boon.

Dharmavrata wished that the curse imposed on her by Marichi might be waived. Vishnu explained that this was not possible, since Marichi was a very powerful sage. However Dharmavrata was granted a boon that her stone form would be so powerful that it would be desired even by the Gods and that all the gods would be always present inside this stone. It was this stone that was placed on Gayasura's body.