Archives: mythology

Surya in the Mahabharata

By Srinidhi Murthy

It is a well-known fact that Surya was the father of Karna. But did you know that Surya also helped the Pandavas in their times of distress? Read more to know how the Sun God played a vital role in shaping the Mahabharata.

The Divine Gift

Karna and Kunti — Illustration: Ram Waeerkar; Script: Kamala Chandrakant

Princess Kunti was the adopted daughter of King Kuntibhoja. Upon her father’s orders, Kunti diligently served Sage Durvasa for a year. Pleased with her service, Durvasa gave Kunti a boon. According to that boon, Kunti could summon any god of her choice and would be blessed with a son from that god. As soon as Durvasa left, the young princess decided to test the boon and summoned Surya. But when Surya said she would get a son as she desired, Kunti panicked. She was unmarried and requested Surya to return to his abode. But Surya would bound by the power of the boon and could not return. He blessed Kunti with a son, Karna. The Sun God also gave divine gifts to Karna in the form of kavacha (armour) and kundala (earrings).

The Akshaya Patra

Surya — Illustration: Pratap Mulick; Script: Kamala Chandrakant

The Pandavas and their wife, Draupadi, were worried about feeding the sages who accompanied them during their twelve-year exile. Sage Dhaumya suggested to Yudhishthira that he pray to Surya, as he was the provider of food for all creatures. Heeding this advice, Yudhishthira stood in the waters of Ganga, facing the sun, and prayed to Surya, consuming nothing but air for several days. He prayed for Surya to bestow food upon them all. Pleased by his devotion, Surya appeared before him and gave Yudhishthira the Akshaya Patra. The Akshaya Patra, a copper plate, was an inexhaustible source of food. According to Surya’s boon, it would remain full of food until Draupadi ate from it. Surya also blessed Yudhishthira, assuring him that his kingdom would be restored to him at the end of his exile. With Surya’s gift, the Pandavas and Draupadi were able to provide food to their guests for years without any hurdles.

The Warning

During the exile of the Pandavas, Indra became worried about the safety of his son, Arjuna. If Duryodhana refused to give the Pandavas their kingdom after the exile, a war seemed inevitable. This meant that Arjuna would have to face Karna, who had protection from his divine armour and earrings. He devised a plan to deprive Karna of his protection. Surya came to know about Indra’s plan and warned his son, Karna about Indra’s intentions, in his dream. Surya cautioned Karna that Indra would try to take advantage of his generosity to try to get him to part with his gifts.

Surya and Karna — Illustration: Ram Waeerkar; Script: Kamala Chandrakant

The next day, Indra approached Karna in disguise as a poor Brahmin. Indra told Karna that he had come to ask for the latter’s kavacha and kundalas, since he was known for never refusing someone in need. Despite Surya’s warning, Karna donated his kavacha and kundalas to Indra. However, he told Indra that he was aware of the god’s plan and disguise. But he would never refuse anyone even if it ended up costing him his life. Pleased by his generosity, Indra gifted Karna a powerful weapon, Shakti, but added that it could only be used once.

To the Rescue of Draupadi

During their thirteenth and last year of exile, the Pandavas and Draupadi secured places in the palace of King Virata, in their respective disguises. Draupadi, under the name Sairandhri, entered into the service of Queen Sudeshna. One day, Keechaka, the queen’s brother, saw Draupadi and was immediately smitten by her. He approached Draupadi and said that he would be her slave if she agreed to be with him. Draupadi rejected his proposal and replied that she was married to five mighty Gandharvas, who would kill him if they knew about his inappropriate proposal. Despite her rejection, Keechaka went to his sister and asked for her help in convincing Sairandhri. After a lot of persuasion, Sudeshna agreed to help him.

The next day, Sudeshna sent Draupadi to fetch wine from Keechaka, despite her protests. Draupadi prayed to Lord Surya for protection. Lord Surya immediately sent a rakshasa and ordered him to protect Draupadi invisibly all the time. When Draupadi entered Keechaka’s chambers, he tried to hold her hand by force. Draupadi pushed him to the ground and rushed to Virata’s court. Keechaka came after her and kicked Draupadi in anger in the presence of all. Immediately, the invisible rakshasa, appointed by Surya, gave Keechaka a mighty blow and he fell down unconscious. Surya thus protected Draupadi during her time of distress during her exile.

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When Durga Comes Home

By Reena I. Puri

Durga is the supreme source of energy and power in the universe. Called Ma or Mother Durga, she is the fierce protector of all who she gathers in her fold. Her strength is no match for the gods themselves as she combines the potent forces of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

As the consort of Shiva, she wields immense power and yet, once a year she visits her maternal home, as all daughters in Indian tradition do.

The Goddess’s Journey

She begins her journey home on Mahalaya, the dark night of Amavasya or the new moon. Accompanied by her children, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya, she descends from the heights of Mount Kailasha, where she lives with Shiva, and goes to the warmth of her father’s house on earth. The people get up early that day to welcome her and fill her stay with happiness and festivity. Among Bengalis, the highlight of the morning is to listen to a recital of Mahishasura Mardini on the radio – a tradition followed for decades. The composition remembers the birth of Durga and the destruction of Mahishasura. It celebrates female power.

Mahalaya also marks the end of the period of ‘Pitri Paksha’. The 16 days during which people remember and give offerings in the name of three past generations of ancestors. The offerings are believed to help them on their way to swargaloka or heaven.

Durga’s Vahana

The mode of transport that the goddess comes and goes by foretells good or bad fortune for the people. The mode is decided by the day on which she arrives or ‘Ghatasthapna’ and the day on which she leaves, which is ‘Vijayadashami’. The vehicles she chooses between are the elephant, horse, palanquin, buffalo, rooster, man and boat.

If the Mother Goddess arrives on an elephant, it symbolises prosperity and a good harvest. If she comes on a horse, it means drought. A palanquin indicates epidemics, and a boat promises the fulfilment of the people’s desires and hopes. If she comes and departs on a horse it foretells great social and political unrest. The rooster indicates suffering, but the man foretells peace, good fortune and happiness.

It is believed that this year, in 2023, she has come riding on an elephant but goes back on a rooster.

Pujo in Kolkata

Durga Puja — Illustration: Prakash Sivan

Kolkata is the city that welcomes Durga with a fervour that is unmatched in the country. With a rich tradition of music, art and culture, Pujo – as it is known here – is a festival that gives the visitor a deep and intense cultural experience.

With the aura of female strength at its highest, this is one occasion when men walk a step behind their wives. Women dressed in their finest clothes and decked in glittering jewellery go from pandal to pandal praying to the goddess to give their families health and happiness. During the evening aarti or worship, the sound of their ululation coupled with the sound of bells and chanting fills the incense laden air.

Ma Durga lives in the hearts and minds of all who believe in her and her benevolence. Protector, nurturer and defender of good, may she destroy all that is evil in this world.

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Twins in the Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is essentially an epic tale of warring cousins. While the Kauravas and Pandavas were out to destroy each other, there are many examples of siblings who stood together through thick and thin and helped each other every step of the way. Interestingly, the Mahabharata also mentions multiple sets of twins who went on to shape the story. – By Srinidhi Murthy

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Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna

Twins by Ritoparna Hazra — Illustration: Ritoparna Hazra

In the Mahabharata, Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna were born together from the sacrificial fire. The fire was part of a yagna, performed by King Drupada of Panchal, to obtain a mighty son. When the twins emerged from the fire, a divine voice declared that Dhrishtadyumna was destined to kill Drona, while Draupadi would become the cause of the fall of the Kuru clan. Despite knowing his destiny; Drona taught Dhrishtadyumna the science of arms, which he needed to know as a prince.

After his twin sister’s swayamvara, Dhrishtadyumna followed Draupadi and her husband, Arjuna, who was in disguise and found out his real identity. As wife of the Pandavas, Draupadi became the queen of Indraprastha. Years later, Dhrishtadyumna was a successful commander-in-chief of the Pandava army in the Kurukshetra war and beheaded Drona on the fifteenth day.

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Kripa and Kripi

Kripa, also known as Kripacharya, and his twin sister, Kripi, were born from the seed of Sage Sharadvan and, were later adopted by King Shantanu of the Kuru dynasty. Kripi married Drona, the son of Sage Bharadwaja. Kripa, on the other hand, became a guru to the Kuru princes.

When Drona, with his wife Kripi and his son Ashwatthama, arrived at Hastinapur, he stayed for many years in the house of Kripa, his brother-in law. Kripa, along with his nephew Ashwatthama, are considered among the eight Chiranjivis (immortal beings), who are to remain alive on Earth until the end of Kaliyuga.

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Satyavati and King Matsya

In the Mahabharata, Satyavati and her twin brother, Matsya, were born from the seed of Uparichara, the king of Chedi, while he travelled through the sky in his celestial chariot. The seed was swallowed by a fish in the Yamuna and few months later, it was caught by a fisherman.

When the fisherman opened the fish’s stomach, he saw a male and female child in it. He took the babies to Uparichara, who adopted the male child and gave the female child to the fisherman as she smelt strongly of fish. The male child became King Matsya and the female child, named Satyavati, later became the mother of Sage Ved Vyasa and married King Shantanu of Hastinapura.

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Kauravas and Dushala

Pleased by Gandhari’s hospitality to him during one of his visits, Sage Ved Vyasa gave a boon to the queen. According to the boon, she would become the mother to a hundred sons. Soon, Gandhari delivered a lump of flesh, which Vyasa broke into hundred pieces and stored in small pots. He also made an extra part for a princess, to fulfil Gandhari’s wish to have a daughter. Thus, the Kauravas and their only sister, Dushala, were born.

As the only sister of the Kauravas, Dushala was said to be dear to them all. She was married to Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu. Her husband was killed in the Kurukshetra war by Arjuna, for the role he played in the death of Arjuna’s son, Abhimanyu. During the Ashvamedha sacrifice after the war, Arjuna proclaimed Dushala’s infant grandson as the king of Sindhu.

Lakshmana Kumara and Lakshmana

The twins Lakshmana Kumara and Lakshmana were born to Duryodhana and his wife, Bhanumati. On her swayamvara, Lakshmana was abducted by Sambha, Krishna and Jambavati’s son. He was later imprisoned by the Kuru elders for his misconduct. However, he was then married to Lakshmana after Balarama, his uncle, convinced Duryodhana.

Lakshmana Kumara fought in the Kurukshetra war and was killed by Abhimanyu on the thirteenth day of the war. According to popular Telugu folklore, Lakshmana Kumara was engaged to Vatsala, also known as Sasirekha, Balarama’s daughter. Later in the folklore, she marries Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra.

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Krittika

The word Krittika finds several mentions in the Puranas. Here are a few of them:

Manorama

The word Manorama finds mention in various Puranic texts. Here are some of the meanings:

The Forgotten Kauravas

By Shakthi Bharathi

When we think of The Mahabharata, we think of the Pandavas as its heroes. We follow their journey, from riches to rags to riches again, with bated breath.

But how well do we know its “villains”, the Kauravas? Their tumultuous lives — filled with what they stood to gain and everything they lost along the way — is a footnote in this great epic.

The Kauravas were a hundred and counting, in number, but can we name any of them beyond Duryodhana and Dushasana? It’s time to brush the dust off these forgotten lives.

Here’s an introduction to three lesser-known Kauravas.

Vikarna

As the third Kaurava brother, Vikarna could have followed in the footsteps of his siblings. But his passion for dharma burnt bright.

During the game of dice, where his brothers taunted Draupadi while the Kuru elders looked away, it was Vikarna who stood up for his sister-in-law. When she argued that Yudhisthira could not stake her after losing himself and implored the elders to step in, Vikarna echoed her sentiments. His concern was dismissed but it still showed his strength of character.

Eventually, he was slain in the Battle of Kurukshetra. His death was mourned by the Pandavas and Kauravas alike.

Did you know?

Vikarna’s equivalent in the Ramayana is Kumbhakarna. Both of them were dutiful brothers who played out the roles ordained for them by destiny.

Yuyutsu

Yuyutsu was also Dhritarashtra’s son but his mother was Sughada, Gandhari’s personal attendant. This made him a lifelong target of his jeering half-brothers — something he shared in common with the Pandavas. They struck up an easy friendship that remained steadfast through the years. He even sent them warnings about Duryodhana’s schemes — one of which saved Bheema’s life.

It should come as no surprise that Yuyutsu was the only Kaurava to fight for the Pandavas, during the Battle of Kurukshetra.

Did you know?

Yuyutsu’s equivalent in the Ramayana is Vibhishana. Both of them defected before their respective wars, pledging alliance to the other side.

Dushala

Dhritarashtra and Gandhari had a hundred sons. But their final child — the 101st — was a daughter named Dushala.

Growing up, she was doted on by her brothers and treated by the Pandavas as their own sister. But all was not idyllic for Dushala. She was married off to Jayadratha, the haughty king of Sindhu, and their marriage was riddled with unhappiness. Dushala was widowed in the war and lost her son, Suratha, some years later.

When the Pandavas were conducting a yagna to become the ultimate rulers of the land, Dushala brought her grandson to them. The innocence in the child’s eyes moved Arjuna to crown him the king of Sindhu.

Would you agree?

Dushala’s tale shows that it may take 105 men to wage a war, but one woman to restore peace.

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The Vedic Gods

By Malini Saigal

The earliest Hindu scriptures are the Vedas, which have hymns to many gods or devas, most of whom were linked to natural phenomena such as Indra (god of thunder and rain), Vayu (god of wind), Agni (god of fire), Surya (sun god), Chandra (moon god), and so on. These gods were also the Dikpalas or guardians of the eight directions.

Indra

Illustration: Sanjay Valecha, Durgesh Velhal

Indra is the king of the Vedic gods. He carries a thunderbolt and brings rain or life to the world. He rides on Airavata, the white elephant, and presides over a sumptuous court in Indralok, with beautiful apsaras in attendance. He is also the guardian of the eastern direction and the husband of the beautiful Shachi or Indrani.

Agni

Agni is the god of fire. He is associated with the domestic cooking fire and also with the fire lit at yagnas. So, his is often shown with two flames around his crown. He is the one who carries all the offerings to the various gods (as the offerings are given into the fire). Agni rides a ram and is also the lord of the southeast direction. In later times, he also becomes the foster father to Kartikeya, the son of Shiva.

Vayu

Vayu is the Vedic god of wind. He is also the lord of prana or breath. His is the guardian of the northwest direction.

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Durga’s Battle with Shumbha

Post author By Kayva Gokhale
Post date March 6, 2023
No Comments on Durga’s Battle with Shumbha

By Srinidhi Murthy

According to the Devi Bhagavata, the Universe is the manifestation of Goddess Durga. Durga is worshipped all over India in sixty-four forms, including as Ambika, Kali, Chandika and Chamundi. Read the story of how these incarnations of Durga killed Asura king Shumbha and his commanders in a fierce battle and how Kali came to be known as Chamundi.

Shumbha’s decision

A long time ago, the Devas were defeated and were forced to flee heaven by Shumbha, the king of the Asuras. Chanda and Munda, the commanders of Shumbha, decided to follow the Devas to find out their whereabouts. The Devas reached Mount Himavat and prayed to Goddess Durga. Just then, Goddess Ambika, an incarnation of Durga, emerged from the body of Parvati, Shiva’s consort. Chanda and Munda, who witnessed this event, rushed immediately to Shumbha to inform him of Ambika. Shumbha was impressed when he heard about Ambika’s beauty and grace from his commanders and decided to marry her.

Script: Subba Rao, Illustration: Souren Roy

Dhumralochana’s death

Chanda and Munda returned to Ambika and informed her about their master’s wish to marry her. Ambika told them that she had taken a vow to marry the man who would defeat her in battle. When Shumbha learnt about the vow, he sent Dhumralochana, a commander, to bring Ambika to him. Dhumralochana took an army with him to Mount Himavat and confronted Ambika. When Ambika refused to break her vow, Dhumralochana rushed towards her. With contempt, Ambika uttered a single syllable – ‘hum’. In a moment, the mighty commander was burned to ashes. Seeing this, the army began to flee from the battlefield. However, Chanda and Munda stopped the retreating soldiers and encouraged them to capture Ambika.

From Kali to Chamundi

As the asuras returned, another incarnation of Durga, named Kali, emerged from Ambika. Kali battled fiercely with the Asuras and crushed them to death. When Chanda and Munda rushed towards Kali, she seized them by their hair and beheaded them. Ambika, with a smile, said that since Kali had killed Chanda and Munda, she would also be known as ‘Chamundi’.

Shumbha’s end

When Shumbha learned about his commanders’ fate, he rushed to the battlefield with a huge army. The Shaktis, the feminine elements of various gods, emerged on the battlefield. Brahmani emerged from Brahma, Vaishnavi emerged from Vishnu and Maheshwari from Shiva. Finally, Chandika emerged from Ambika. The sky was filled with the various Shaktis. In the great battle that followed, the Asuras fled, unable to match the powers of these Shaktis, which infuriated Raktabeeja, a terrible asura who had the power to create replicas of himself from his blood that touched the ground. Kali, upon Chandika’s request, prevented Raktabeeja’s blood from falling to the ground, leading to hundreds and thousands of Raktabeejas that had arisen, to be wiped out. Furious with the turn of events, Raktabeeja rushed towards Chandika and a battle ensued between them. Chandika killed Raktabeeja in the end. Nishumbha, Shumbha’s brother, vowed to kill Chandika, following the death of Raktabeeja. But he too, was no match for Chandika, and met his end at her hands.

Angered by his brother’s death, Shumbha mocked Durga for getting help to destroy his men rather than fighting alone. Durga replied that she was alone all along the battle and what Shumbha witnessed was only her different forms. Then, all the Shaktis merged into Durga much to Shumbha’s amazement. A fierce battle ensued between Durga and Shumbha, in which Durga finally killed Shumbha with her spear, much to the joy of the Devas.

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Sala

The word Sala finds various mentions in the Puranic texts. Here are a few of them:

Sala is the name of a Kaurava, one of the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra.
Sala is also the name of a serpent in the Vasuki dynasty.
When Krishna went to fight his uncle Kamsa, the king ordered Sala, a wrestler, to attack his nephew.

The Vedic Sacrifice

Script: Malini Saigal; Illustration: Durgesh Velhal

The ritual of sacrifice was central to the religion of the Vedic times. At its core was the belief the gods required to be propitiated with offerings. These were to be given as prescribed in the ancient Vedic sacred texts. Once this was done, then the gods would reward the patron or the organiser of the sacrifice with wealth, children, cattle, health, happiness and all manner of good things.

The ‘sacrifice’ consisted of offerings of milk, ghee (clarified butter), honey, fruits, an intoxicating drink called Soma, and cooked dishes both sweet and savoury. In ancient times, animal sacrifice was also quite common.

These offerings were sent to the gods ritually through the medium of the yagna. The purohita (priest) would invoke the name of the deity and chant the appropriate mantra from the Vedas, and then make the offering into the fire called Havan. The ritual remains the same even today. Of course, in most yagnas, only a token offering is made into the fire. Perhaps in olden times, the yagnas were on a larger scale and litres of milk, ghee and kheer were poured into the Havan!

All gods, big and small, were summoned to the yagna by the priest, and given their share of the sacrifice according to their status in the divine hierarchy. Agni, the God of fire, carried the oblations to the gods. After the gods received their share, all those who attended the ceremony would receive theirs, most likely in the form of a delicious feast.

Many myths focus around the incident of a yagna near that went awry, because a deva or sage was slighted on the occasion, leading to a terrible fight. This is what happens in the main story of the Shiva Purana, when Prajapati Daksha uses the occasion of a yagna to convey his displeasure of Shiva.