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Tag: Avatar of Vishnu

  • Front Vishnu Back Mohini Ryali Mohini Avatar Temple

    Some count the Mohini Avatar of Lord Vishnu among the popular Avatars of  Lord Vishnu.

    There are no temples for the Mohini Avatar, excepting the ones at Mhalasa in Ponda,Goa and at Ryali East Godavari District,Andhra Pradesh.

    Jagan Mohini Keshavaswamy Temple Gopura,Ryali
    Jagan Mohini Keshavaswamy Temple

    The Mhalasa Temple is also reported to be temple of an Amsa of Kaali , with Uma and Lakshmi combined.

    So the Mohini Avatar Temple ,Ryali seems to be the only temple for Mohini Avatar of Lord Vishnu.

    Lord Vishnu took this Avatar to distribute the Amrutha,Nectar to the Devas at the cost of the Asuras who had also contributed in the churning of the Ksheera Sagara, Milky Ocean, Samudramanathan.

    Lord Shiva fell in love Mohini,  married Her and Ayyappa,Sastha was born.

    How To reach Ryali.

    Ryali is 24 Km from Rajamundry.

    Jaganmohini Keshava Temple Ryali.jpg
    Jaganmohini Keshava Temple Ryali,Mohini Avatar temple.

    Airport.Rajamundry.

    Railway Station.Rajamundry.

    Bus Station.Rajamundry.

    The Temple has a single stone Idol of Lord Vishnu(5 feet).

    The Idol looks s Vishnu from the front and as Mohini from the rear view.

    The flow of Akasha Ganga at the feet of Sri Maha Vishnu can be seen here. The image of the Lord is an exquisite piece of sculpture, which is considered to be the only one of its kind in India. The figure in front is ‘Kesava’ or ‘Keshava’, and on the reverse is the female attire with a hair-do representing ‘Jaganmohini’.

    Carved in black stone, the image of the deity excites admiration.

    The image stands at a height of 5ft and the front portion, besides the face of Kesava, contains sculptural representations of ‘Dasavatara’ (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu).

    At the feet of the image is the figure of Goddess Ganga, from which drops of water trickle down throughout the day. This is considered a rare phenomenon. Though small, the shrine presents a grand appearance artistically.

    The priests at the temple show the idol in the light of burning camphor and explain the idol of the god in detail.

    There is a temple of Lord Shiva in front of Lord Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy temple.

    Lord Shiva is known as Sri Uma Kamandalesara Swamy here.

    The Legend of these two temples relates to Samudra Mathanam.

    The Idol is Swayambhu it means, it has formed on its own where visitors can see the Ganga i.e. water coming out between the two legs of the deity.

    The shrine of Sri Jagan Mohini Keshava Swamy is made up of single stone (Salagrama Ekashila – 5 feet height and 3ft width).

    This place was  a wild forest during 11th century and was ruled by Cholas.

    Raja Vikrama Deva originally constructed a small temple during 11th century and later renovated.

    Shiva Marries Mohini.

    while Devathas (divine angels) and Rakshasas (devils) were quarrelling over sharing of holy divine NECTAR (Amrutham) Lord Vishnu came to the rescue of Devathas in the guise of Mohini and convinced both rival groups promising to distribute holy divine nectar in equal share. But in the interest of universal peace and welfare of sages, holy and divine nectar was distributed among the Devathas alone and then Mohini disappeared. Lord Eshwara (Shiva) sees Mohini and falls in love with her. He chased her for getting for a while the presence of his consort Parvathi Devi. It is general belief that this a holy incident was the result of birth of Lord Ayyappa Swamy. One flower from the plait of Mohini fell down and it was smelt by Lord Siva then he surprisingly found Sri Maha Vishnu in the form of Mohini and felt shy for his behavior. The place where the flower from the plait of Mohini fell is named as RYALI (the Telugu meaning of Fall)

    This place known as Ryali for the above reason became abode of Lord Siva and Sri Mahavishnu with the form of Mohini on backside. Lord Brahma consecrated the Sivalingam with his Kamandalam and hence Lord Siva at Ryali is worshipped as Uma Kamandaleswra Swamy. Sri Maha Vishnu in the form of Mohini in the back side is worshipped as Sri Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy. Both Siva and Vishnu temples are located facing each other. This is very rare feature at Ryali where Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva facing each other in East and West Direction.
    There is also general belief that water will not flow out of Siva temple after the deity will absorb performing pooja to the deity and all the water.

    Festivals and Travel information.

    Festivals :
    Sri Jaganmohini kesava Swamy kalyanam will be conducted from Chaitra sudha Navami to Pournami (March/April).
    Sri Rama Satyanarayana Swamy kalyanam will be conducted from Visakha Sudha Ekadasi to Pournami.
    Sri Venugopala Swamy kalyanam will be conducted from Jyesta Sudha Ekadasi to pournami (June).
    Sravana Bahula Astami Sri Krishnastami (August).
    Karthiaka sudha Dwadasi (Ksheerabdi Dwadasi) (November).
    Devi Navaratrams (October).
    Mukkoti Ekadasi.
    Bheeshma Ekadasi.

    Accommodation
    Guest Houses available are :
    One choultry building with 8 rooms. Contact: 08855-250231
    Guest House-2 suits without furniture. Contact: 08855-250231

    Temple Authorities
    Executive Officer,
    SSri Jaganmohini Kesava & Gopala Swamy Temple,
    Ryali,
    East Godavari District,
    pin-533236.

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  • Kalki Avatar In Buddhism Vaishaka Dwadasi

    Buddhism may lead one to believe that it is anti Sanatana Dharma because of its refusal to accept the Sruthi, Vedas as a tool of knowledge,Pramana.

     

    Stone plaque of Kalki from the 18th century.
    Stone plaque of Kalki from the 18th century. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Stone plaque of Kalki from the 18th century Devanagari कल्कि Sanskrit Transliteration कल्कि Affiliation Avatar of Vishnu Planet Earth Weapon Sword or Astra (Weapon of Parabrahman to destroy evil creatures) Mount Horse.Image Source.Wikipedia.Kalki Avatar

     

    It also advocates Nihilism or Sunya Vada which states that there is no Reality.

     

    It shuns Rituals as advocated by The Vedas.

     

    It disapproves Idol worship.

     

    Incidentally Vedas do not advocate Idol worship either.

     

    But Buddhist traditions closely follow the Hindu Puranas.

     

    Hindu traditions, Puranas describe the Ten Avatars of Vishnu and one among them is the Kalki Avatar, which is yet to manifest in the present Kali Yug.

     

    It is equally interesting that the Bhavishya, Garuda and Vishnu Puranas count Buddha as an Avatar of Vishnu.

     

    Kalki Avatar is also cited in the Kalachakra tradition of Buddhism with modifications.

     

    “In Buddhist Kalachakra tradition, 25 rulers of the Shambhala Kingdom held the title of Kalki, Kulika or Kalki-king.

     

    During Vaishakha, the first fortnight in Shukla Paksha is dedicated to fifteen deities, with each day for a different god.

     

    In this tradition, the twelfth day is Vaishakha Dwadashi and is dedicated to Madhava, another name for Kalki.”

     

    ..”The word Kālachakra is usually used to refer to a very complex teaching and practice in Tibetan Buddhism.

     

    Although the teaching is very advanced, esoteric, and difficult to comprehend, there is a tradition of offering it to large public audiences.

     

     

    Kālachakra refers both to a Tantric deity (Tib. yidam) of Vajrayana Buddhism and to the philosophies and meditation practices contained within the Kālachakra Tantra and its many commentaries.

     

    The Kālachakra Tantra is more properly called the Kālachakra Laghutantra, and is said to be an abridged form of an original text, the Kālachakra

     

    Mūlatantra which is no longer extant.

     

    Some Buddhist masters assert that Kālachakra is the most advanced form of Vajrayana practice; it certainly is one of the most complex systems within tantric Buddhism.

    The Kālachakra tradition revolves around the concept of time (kāla) and cycles (chakra): from the cycles of the planets, to the cycles of human

     

    breathing, it teaches the practice of working with the most subtle energies within one’s body on the path to enlightenment.

     

    The Kālachakra deity represents a Buddha and thus omniscience. Since Kālachakra is time and everything is under the influence of time, Kālachakra knows all.

     

    Whereas Kālachakri or Kālichakra, his spiritual consort and complement, is aware of everything that is timeless, untimebound or out of the realm of

     

    time.

     

    In Yab-yum, they are temporality and atemporality conjoined. Similarly, the wheel is without beginning or end.

     

    Literal translation:

    शम्भल ग्राम मुख्यस्य ब्राह्मणस्य महात्मनः।
    भवने विष्णुयशसः कल्किः प्रादुर्भविष्यति।।
    Srimad Bhagavata Maha Purana – 12:2:18

    शम्भल ग्राम मुख्यस्य ब्राह्मणस्य महात्मनः।
    शम्भु Shambhu (Shiv Shambhu Bhola) + ल or ले (of) + ग्राम Grama (Community/Village) + मुख्यस्य Mukhyasya (Principally) + ब्राह्मणस्य Brahmanasya (of the Brahmins) + महात्मनः Maha Atman (Great Souls) Shiva Durga worshipping community principally of great souls Brahmins.

    भवने विष्णुयशसः कल्किः प्रादुर्भविष्यति।।
    भवने Bhavanê (At the home of) + विष्णु Vishnu + यशसः Yáśas (Worthy) + कल्क Kalk ( Mud or Sediment) + इ i (to arise from, come from) + प्रादुर् Prādúr (Arise/Born) भविष्यति Bhavishyati (In the future)
    In the future at the home of Vishnu worthy, one from the mud/sediment will arise/be born.
    This points to a name equivalent to mud or sediment born.

    द्वादश्यां शुक्ल-पक्षस्य माधवे मासि माधवम्।
    जातं ददृशतुः पुत्रं पितरौ हृष्ट-मानसौ।। (1:2:15 Kalki Purna)

    द्वादश्यां – द्वा dvA (two) + दश्यां dashya (tens/10’s) meaning 12 शुक्ल-पक्षस्य – शुक्ल Shukla (bright) + पक्षस्य(pakshaya) parts (the first part of the moon cycle) + माधवे madhva is hindu month of Chaitra (First day of Chaitra is when Lord Brahma created the universe, Hindu new year starts) March/April + मासि masi (month of) + माधवम् Lord Krishna (as Kalki) arrived. जातं ददृशतुः पुत्रं पितरौ हृष्ट-मानसौ।।
    जातं jatam (born – brought into existence) + ददृशतुः dadastu (then) + पुत्रं putram (a son) + पितरौ pitarau (parents [were]) + हृष्ट hrshta (thrilling with rapture, rejoiced, pleased, glad, merry) + मानसौ manasau (mental feeling). or
    12th of the first part of the moon cycle in the month of Chaitra (March/April, Hindu new year) Lord Krishna (as Kalki) arrived then the father was mentally overwhelmed by the son being born This also points to the sun sign of Aries.

     

    In Chaitra month, the fifteen days in Shukla paksha (first fortnight / first half of the month) are dedicated to fifteen gods or deities. Each day of the Chaitra month is dedicated to a different god. The 12th day (Chaitra Dwadashi) is dedicated to Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.

    There is a description of his background in other sources of scripture. The Kalachakra tantra, first taught by Buddha to DharmarajaSuchandra of Shambhala, also describes his background:

    Lord Kalki will appear in the home of the most eminent brahmana of Shambhala village, the great souls Vishnuyasha and his wife, the pure of thought Sumati.

    —Srimad-Bhagavatam Bhag.12.2.18

    The Bhagavata Purana states

    At the end of Kali Yuga, when there exist no topics on the subject of God, even at the residences of so-called saints and respectable gentlemen, and when the power of government is transferred to the hands of ministers elected from the evil men, and when nothing is known of the techniques of sacrifice, even by word, at that time the Lord will appear as the supreme chastiser.

    —Bhagavata Purana, 2.7.38

    It goes on to foretell his arrival:

    The ascetic prince, Lord Kalki, the Lord of the Universe, will mount His swift white horse Devadatta and, sword in hand, travel over the earth exhibiting His eight mystic opulences and eight special qualities of Godhead.

     

    Displaying His unequaled effulgence and riding with great speed, He will kill by the millions those thieves who have dared dress as kings.

    —Bhagavata Purana, 12.2.19-20

    The Kalki Purana combines elements of earlier scriptures to describe Kalki. He will have the power to change the course of the stream of time and restore the path of the righteous.

     

    The evil demon Kali will spring from the back of Brahma and descend to earth and cause dharma to be forgotten and society to decay.

     

     

    When man stops offering yagna,Vishnu will then descend a final time to save the steadfast. He will be reborn as Kalki to a Brahmin family in the city of Shambhala.

     

    Followers of Tibetan Buddhism have preserved the Kalachakra Tantra in which “Kalkin” is a title of 25 rulers in the mystical realm of Shambhala. This tantra mirrors a number of prophecies of the Puranas.

     

    Kalki Avatar is also mentiones in Sikhism

    Citations.

     

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalki

     

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalachakra

     

     

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