BharatiyaStories

  Kotwal of Kashi If you have visited Kashi, you couldn’t have missed visiting the KaalBhairav temple. If you haven’t visited Kashi, you cannot without the blessings of KaalBhairav. Famously called the Kotwal of Kashi, KaalBhairav has been praised by AdiShankara in his Kaalbhariava ashtakam as the giver of all boons and the death of death. भानुकोटिभास्वरं भवाब्धितारकं परं नीलकण्ठमीप्सितार्थदायकं त्रिलोचनम् । कालकालमंबुजाक्षमक्षशूलमक्षरं काशिकापुराधिनाथकालभैरवं भजे ॥२॥ I sing praise of Kalabhairava, the lord of Kashi, who is resplendent like millions of Suns, who absolves the ocean of cycle of rebirth, who is supreme, who has a blue neck, who fulfils one’s desires, who has three-eyes, who is the death of death, who has lotus-like eyes, whose trident supports the world and who is immortal.  Why is KaalBhairav called the Kotwal of Kashi? It is believed that KaalBhairav is a protector of the city of Kashi and no pilgrimage to Kashi is complete without the blessings of t

Jyotirlingas # Vishwanatha The Jyotirlingas have a significant religious, spiritual, historical and religious importance in Bharat. In addition to being a must do in the pilgrim circuit, the Jyotirlingas have a story to tell. Let us understand and appreciate the puranic stories behind these places, the history and the societal significance in the present context. Somnath is the oldest Jyotirlinga. The temple is located in Veraval in Gujarat. ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlingas-somnath.html ). The second Jyotirlinga is Mallikarjuna in Srisailam in present day Andhra Pradesh  ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlinga-mallikarjunaswamy-and.html ). We had covered the story of Mahakaaleshwar in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlinga-mahakaaleshwar.html ). Omkareshwar is the fourth jyotirlinga (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/jyotirlinga-omkareshwar.html).  Baidyanath is the

Jyotirlingas #Nageshwara The Jyotirlingas have a significant religious, spiritual, historical and religious importance in Bharat. In addition to being a must do in the pilgrim circuit, the Jyotirlingas have a story to tell. Let us understand and appreciate the puranic stories behind these places, the history and the societal significance in the present context. Somnath is the oldest Jyotirlinga. The temple is located in Veraval in Gujarat. ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlingas-somnath.html ). The second Jyotirlinga is Mallikarjuna in Srisailam in present day Andhra Pradesh  ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlinga-mallikarjunaswamy-and.html ). We had covered the story of Mahakaaleshwar in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlinga-mahakaaleshwar.html ). Omkareshwar is the fourth jyotirlinga ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/jyotirlinga-omkareshwar.html).  Baidyanath is the fift

  Sahasrakavacha Rakshasa This story happened, long ago, much before the Mahabharatha war in the Treta Yuga. It was about a rakshasa who could have made a difference to the Mahabharata war but did not. Who is he? The forest was still. The bees and birds were still. The animals were pensive. Everyone was watching the giant man who was standing on one leg and praying towards Lord Surya. His name was Dambodbhava. He had one wish from his Ishtadevata (favourite God) Surya. To become immortal. Finally, Lord Surya appeared in front of him in his resplendent glory. Lord Surya asked him what Dambodbhava desired. Dambodbhava was ready with his requests. He said “Oh SuryaNarayana, I have but one request. I want to be immortal. Lord Surya shood his head. “No, we are all bound by nature and cannot give anyone the boon of immortality. Ask me for something else.” Dambodbhava said immediately “Lord, in that case, grant me the boon of a thousand armours. Each armour can only be broken / dest

  #Jyotirlinga Ramanathaswamy The Jyotirlingas have a significant religious, spiritual, historical and religious importance in Bharat. In addition to being a must do in the pilgrim circuit, the Jyotirlingas have a story to tell. Let us understand and appreciate the puranic stories behind these places, the history and the societal significance in the present context. Somnath is the oldest Jyotirlinga. The temple is located in Veraval in Gujarat. ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlingas-somnath.html ). The second Jyotirlinga is Mallikarjuna in Srisailam in present day Andhra Pradesh   ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlinga-mallikarjunaswamy-and.html ). We had covered the story of Mahakaaleshwar in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlinga-mahakaaleshwar.html ). Omkareshwar is the fourth jyotirlinga ( https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/jyotirlinga-omkareshwar.html). Baidyanath is the f

Murari – The slayer of Mura   Mura was walking around his land. He was shocked to see heaps of dead Asuras. He was worried about the fate of the Asuras and wanted to become powerful and invincible to protect his clan. He decided he would get some divine support. Who better than his own grandfather, Lord Brahma? Who was this Mura who called Brahma his grandfather? He was the son Sage Kashyapa Prajapati and his wife Danu. Kashyapa was the son of Lord Brahma. Anyway, coming back to our story, Mura did an intense penance for thousands of years. Lord Brahma finally made an appearance in front of his grandson and asked him what he wanted. Mura had thought long and hard about what he would be asking and was ready for this question. He said “Oh grandfather. I need to protect my family and my clan. Please give me the strength and the power to do that.” The request was innocent enough. Brahma said “Of course. To protect what is yours is your dharma. Tell me what you want and I will give th