User talk:Ramanathan V. Periyagaram

2009-02-26T21:49:34Z

Ramanathan V. Periyagaram:

== [[Purana]] Legend ==

Once Devaraj Indra, the King of Gods, while riding on his white elephant Iravatha came across Sage Durvasa who offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the garland but without giving much importance he gave it to his elephant. Iravatha was irritated by the smell of the flowers in the garland and therefore threw the garland on the floor and stamped on it. This act enraged sage Durvasa as he got the garland from “Sridevi” as prasada. Immediately Durvasa cursed Indra and all devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.

Due to this curse, in the battles that followed Devas were defeated and Asuras led by Mahabali chakravarthy, gained control of the universe. Devas sought help from Lord [[Vishnu]] who advised them to take the path of diplomacy with Asuras and the only way to regain lost glory was to drink Amrutham/nectar. Devas came to an agreement with asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality and to share it among them. However, Lord Vishu told Devas that he would ensure Amrutha (Nectar) does not get to Asuras.

During the Samudra Mathan (churning) of the Ocean of Milk Mount Mandaranchal was used as the dasher (churning tool), and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the churning rope. The gods held the tail of the snake, while the demons (Asuras) held its head, and they pulled on it alternately causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean. However, once the mountain was placed on the ocean, it began to sink. With request from both Devas and Asuras Lord Vishnu took the form of a turtle (Kurma avatara), came to their rescue and supported the mountain on his back.

Poison was the first to come when churning started and this terrified the Devas and Asuras because, the poison was so toxic that it might have destroyed all of creation. On the advice of Vishnu, both Devas and Asuras approached [[Shiva]] for help and protection. Out of compassion for living beings, Shiva drank the poison. It was so potent that it changed the color of Shiva's neck to blue and therefore he is also called Neelakantha (the blue-necked one, nīla = "blue", kantha = "throat"). Parvati immediately realized the deeds of Shiva and put her hand to stop the Kalakutta poison from entering [[Lord Shiva]]’s body. Lord [[Shiva]] felt very dizzy and lied down with his head on Parvathi’s lap and the whole world went dark. [SURUTAPALLI TEMPLE IN ANDHRA PRADESH] JUST ACROSS TAMIL NADU BORDER BUILT BY HARI HARA BUKKARAYA DEPICTS THIS AND IS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD WHERE [[LORD SHIVA]] IS IN THE FORM OF SAYANAM (NORMALLY [[VISHNU]]'S FORM IN [[TEMPLES]]). As soon as the effect of poison diminished and Lord Shiva came back to normalcy all Devas and Asuras wanted to have his Darshan. When they approach Nandi (Sacred Bull) for permission to see Lord Shiva, Nandi refused and asked them to pray and wait since, Lord Shiva and Parvati were together. With prayers from devas and asuras, Lord Shiva gave them Darshan doing Ananda Thandavam on top of the forehead of Rishaba Vahana.

== [[Pradosha Mahima]] ==

Pradosha Kalam is the period of time during which '''Lord Shiva''' is known to have evolved out of the dizzy state (due to poison he had consumed) and performing Ananda Thandava on top of his Rishabha Vahana (Sacred Nandi Bull). During this pradosha time, '''Lord Shiva''' is expected to be in the most happiest of moods as he has been successful in saving the mankind of the ill effects of the Poison. He therefore performing Ananda Thandava blesses all the three world Thevathas as they pray to him.

Lord Shiva is known to be very generous with respect to giving away boon (Vardhan although, he would test his devotees to the core) praying him during Pradosha Kalam observing fast, performing [[puja]], chanting of [[Rudram]], visiting sacred places of interest is bound to bring prosperity and happiness in life.

Pradosha Kalam falls on the 13th lunar day of Trayodashee during the shukla and [[krishna]] pakshas, waxing and waning fortnights in the [[Hindu]] calendar months. If, from sunset to next sunrise is divided into 5 equal parts, the first part is called Pradosha Kalam and it denotes the end of day time and the beginning of night. This is also called the period of Asuras (Raaksha Neram). It is believed that each day of the week has different benefits during Pradosh time:

'''Sunday(Bhaanu Vaara Pradosha)''': Shubha Mangal
'''Monday(Indu Vaara Pradosha)''': Good thinking
'''Tuesday (Bhauma Vaara Pradosha)''': Removal of poverty
'''Wednesday(Saumya Vaara Pradosha)''': Blessing of child, Knowledge and education
'''Thursday(Guru Vaara Pradosha)''': Divine blessings through the Pitars, all dangers will be eliminated
'''Friday(Bhrgu Vaara Pradosha)''': Nullifying opposition
'''Saturday(Sthira Vaara Pradosha)''': Promotion, get back the lost wealth

Mahaa Pradosh Kalam comes yearly during the month of Maagh/Maashi (U’ma’ +’Shi’Va) before Mahaa Shiv Raatri. If the Mahaa Pradosha comes on Saturday, it is called Shani MahaA Pradosha. Saturday is the day when Lord Shiva swallowed poison and this is called Shani (Sthira in Samskritam) Pradosha. It is categorized into three categories of importance depending upon the month on which Pradosha falls:

(1) '''Uttama Sthira Pradosha - ''Maximum power'' - The Sthira Pradosha that comes during the months of Chaitra, Vaishaakh, Aashaadh and Kaartik during the Growing Lunar Cycle (Shukla Paksha), i.e from New to Full moon period.

(2) '''[[Madhyama]] Sthira Pradosha - ''Normal power'' - The Sthira Pradosha that comes during the months of Chaitra, Vaishaakh, Aashaadh and Kaartik during Diminishing Lunar Cycle (Krishn Paksha), ie Full to New moon period.

(3) '''Adhama Sthira Pradosha - ''Minimum power'' - All the other Sthira Pradosha. The Pradosh that falls on any Saturday is called MahaA Pradosha (Sthira Pradosh).

2009-02-25T02:20:44Z

Ramanathan V. Periyagaram:

User:Ramanathan V. Periyagaram

2009-02-25T02:03:30Z

Ramanathan V. Periyagaram:

Pradosha Mahatmyam

2009-02-25T01:43:16Z

Ramanathan V. Periyagaram: Pradosha Mahatmyam moved to Pradosha Mahima: I plan to include more information regarding, History, happenings, practices, etc. as there is so much to share about this including various places where important temple puja is performed with acute sh

#REDIRECT [[Pradosha Mahima]]

Pradosha Mahima

2009-02-25T01:43:16Z

From Shiva Purana 
[[Category:Stotra]]
Translated by [[User:P.R.Ramachander|P.R.Ramachander]]<ref>Based on the Malayalam translation Of Chennas Krishnan Namboodhiri, Guruvayoor</ref>

Kailasa shaila bhuvane thri jaga janithreem,
Gowreedha nivesye kanakanchitha rathna peete,
Nrutham vidhthu mabhi vanchithi Soolapanau,
Deva Pradosha samaye anubhajanthi sarve., 1

During the time of Pradosha, 
The Lord who holds the trident, 
Makes Goddess Gowri, 
Who is the mother of all the three worlds, 
Sit on a golden seat inlaid with precious gems, 
And prepares to dance himself, 
And all the devas sing his praise at this time. 

Vagdevi drutha vallaakee sathamukho
venum dhadhan padmaja-,
Sthallo nidhra karo ramaa bhagawathi,
geya prayogaanvithaa,
Vishnu saandra mrudanga vaadana patur
devas samanthath sthithaa,
Sevanthe thamara pradosha samaye
devam mrudaaneepathim., 2

The goddess of Knowledge plays Veena, 
The hundred faced Indra plays the flute, 
The Brahma who was born in a lotus keeps time, 
The Goddess Lakshmi starts to sing, 
The God Vishnu plays the drum with ease, 
And all the devas stand all round in service, 
And pray Lord Shiva during the time of pradosha. 

Gandarwa Yaksha patha goraga siddha saadhya.
Vidhyadaraamaraapsaraso ganaascha,
Yeanyethi loka nilaya saha bhootha varga,
Prapthe pradosha samaye hara parswa samstha., 3

When the time of Pradosha arrives, 
Gandarwas, Yakshas, birds, snakes, saints, 
Vidhyadaras, devas, the celestial dancers, Bhoothas, 
And all the beings in the three worlds, 
Come and stand near The Lord Shiva. 

Atha pradoshe shiva eka eva,
Poojyodhananye hari padmajadhya,
Thasmin mahese vidhinejyamane,
Sarve praseedanthi suradhi natha.., 4

So at the time of Pradosha, 
There is need to worship only Shiva, 
Instead of Vishnu, Brahma and others, 
For the proper worship of Lord Shiva then, 
Would give the effect of worshipping all gods. 

Lokanahooya sarvaan vividha damarukair gora samsara magnan,
Dathwaabheetham dayalu pranatha bhava haram kunchitham vaama bhaagam,
Uddruthyedham vimukherayanamithi karadarshayan prathyayartham,
Bibradwanhim sabhaayaam kalaathi natanam ya shivo na sa paayal., 5

Let us be protected by that dancing Shiva, 
Who uses the various sounds of the shaking drum, 
To call all those people drowned in the fearful life, 
Who indicates protection to them using his right hand held down, 
Who lifts his left leg capable of killing all sorrows, 
To those who fall at his feet, 
Who indicates the path of salvation by his left hand held up, 
And who shows that all this is true by carrying fire in the other left hand, 

Sathyam braveemi, paraloka hitham braveemi,
Saaram braveemi upanishadyadhyam braveemi,
Samsaramuthbanamasar vaapya jantho,
Saroyameeswarapadhamburuhasya seva., 6

I tell the truth, 
I tell what is good for the other world, 
I tell the views of the Upanishads, 
For every insignificant animal that is born, 
The only meaningful thing is the service to God. 

Yenarchayanthi gireesam samaye pradoshe,
Ye na architham shivamapi pranamanthichanye,
Ethath kadhaam sruthi putair na pibanthi mooda,
Stheya janma subhavanthi naraa daridra., 7

He who does not worship Lord Shiva during Pradosha, 
He who does not at least bow before him at that time, 
He who does not at least listen to the story of Shiva at that time, 
Is a foolish soul who would be always poor,birth after birth. 

Ye vai pradosha samaye parameswarasya,
Kurvanthyananya mansangri saroja poojaam,
Nithya pravrudha thara puthra kalathra mithra,
Soubhagya sambadadhikastha ihaiva loke., 8

He who during the time of Pradosha, worships Lord Shiva, 
With full concentration using lotus flowers, 
Would forever along with his children, wife and friends, 
Get all wealth and all luck in a very large measure. 

==Notes==
{{reflist}}