Ravana set fire to Hanuman‘s tail.
Hanuman set fire Ravana’s capital.
The city was burnt to ashes and the soil became black.
Here Hanuman’s footprints can be found.
This is Nuwara-Eliya (“The glade with the city”), Sri Lanka.
http://www.nuwaraeliya.org/historyNuwaraEliya.htm
Image credit.
http://spiritinlife.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/a-journey-to-sri-lanka-again-iii/
This might b news to people who may not be aware of the many versions of Ramayana, some of them by Valimiki himself.
It is said that there are Sata Koti, 100 Crore Ramayanas, probably meaning innumerable-I am not confident of stating this, there might be even this number as many!
Valmiki, not being satisfied with The Ramayana we know he had written wrote some more Ramayan where he narrated more incidents from the Ramayana and about the character of Rama.
Ananda Ramayanam (12,252 slokas), Adyatma Ramayana is said to be part of the Satakoti Ramayanam. Ananda Ramayanam was written by Sri Valmiki himself. It is believed that Sri Valmiki felt sad that he left out some important details of Sri Rama's life in his original work, and wrote Ananda Ramayanam to get peace of mind. There are 9 kandams in Ananda Ramayanam: 1. SAra KAndam (has the sAram or the juice of Rama charitam) 2. YAtrA KAndam (Sri Rama's yAtras after His pattAbhishekam) 3. YAga KAndam (Sri Rama's asvamedha yAgam) 4. VilAsa KAndam (Sri Rama's and Sita's daily life) 5. Janma KAndam (Birth of Lava and Kusa) 6. VivAha KAndam (Weddings of Sri Rama's and his brothers' sons) 7. RAjya KAndam (fights with other asuras, expansion of kingdom, rajya pari- palanam) 8. ManOhara KAndam (slokas, Rama nama mahima etc.) 9. Poorna KAndam (Sri Rama and others leaving for Sri Vaikuntam). Here is the narration about Kausalya, Rama's mother being abducted by Ravana. This reminds of the indent involving Kamsa, Devaki and Vasudeva, when kamsa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva, to ensure that Lord Krishna was not born! The narration by Valimiki about Kausalya does not contradict or affect the Ramayana as we know.
Stories from Sara Kandam - Chapter 1: 1.1 Story about Dasaratha and Kausalya: Valmiki's original Ramayana starts with Dasaratha ruling Ayodhya as a great king and desiring to do asvamedha yaga with his wives (Balakandam 5-8 sargas). Ananda Ramayanam goes many years prior to that and starts with Dasaratha and Kausalya's marriage. It is the time when Dasaratha's marriage with Kausalya is being fixed. Dasaratha is enjoying himself on the Sarayu river in a boat. Ravana calls for Brahma and asks Him who will cause his (Ravana's) death. Brahma tells him that Lord Narayana will be born to Dasaratha and Kausalya as Rama and will kill Ravana. He also tells him that Dasaratha and Kausalya are going to be married in 5 days. Ravana gets on his pushpaka vimana with several asuras and goes to Ayodhya, fights with Dasaratha and breaks the boat Dasaratha is in. Dasaratha and Sumantra somehow escape holding on to a piece of the boat and float down the Sarayu river, reach the Ganges and eventually the ocean. Ravana proceeds to fight Kausalya's father (the Kosala king) and abducts Kausalya. On the way to Lanka, he decides to hide Kausalya in a safe place and leaves her in the custody of a shark, after placing her in a box. The shark carries the box in its mouth. Sometime later, the shark happens to encounter another shark. It places the box in a nearby island and starts fighting. In the meantime, Dasaratha and Sumantra, who are floating in the ocean, discover this box and open it. They are surprised to see Kausalya. Dasaratha marries Kausalya immediately in gandharva vivaha fashion and all the three stay put in the box, exchanging stories. The shark carries the box again into the ocean. Ravana calls Brahma and boasts that he has killed Dasaratha and abducted Kausalya. Brahma laughs and tells him that they have already been married. The angered Ravana calls for the shark and opens the box; out come the three people. The scared Ravana tries to kill them with his sword. Brahma tries to console him saying, " You put only one girl in the box and now she has become three. Is it not possible that many more will be coming out of the box? Rama could be one of them. Just close the box and send it to Ayodhya". So, Ravana asks his servants to leave the box near Ayodhya. The box is discovered by the people of Ayodhya. The Kosala king gives his daughter, Kausalya, in marriage to Dasaratha in a formal ceremony. Thus ends this episode with a happy ending, as will be the characteristic of most events in Ananda Ramayanam. 1.2 Story behind the two boons given to Kaikeyi: Valmiki's original Ramayanam version: Once, Dasaratha helps the Devas in their fight with asuras. Dasaratha takes Kaikeyi with him. Valmiki Ramayanam - Ayodhya Kandam - 9th sargam sloka 16 states that Kaikeyi takes Dasaratha away from the battlefield when he becomes tired and swoons in his chariot. She attends to him and gets him back to good health. Dasaratha subsequently wins the war with the asuras. The pleased Dasaratha grants her two boons, which she chooses to use later. Ananda Ramayanam gives a different story. During the Deva-asura fight, the stick or support that holds the wheel to the chariot, breaks in Dasaratha's chariot and the chariot is about to collapse. Kaikeyi places her left hand in the place of the wheel-holder, in order to help her husband proceed without interruption. Finally, Dasaratha is victorious and being pleased with Kaikeyi's help, grants her two boons.Connected to this story is the following anecdote about Kaikeyi:Once, Kaikeyi, when she is very young, makes a paste out of coal and applies it on the face of a sage, for fun. He curses her saying "later in life, you will be put to shame - no one would like to see your face even". Kaikeyi gets scared and brings a stick to him, so he can punish her. The pleased sage grants a boon - " you left hand will be as strong as iron and will never fail in any instance". " Citation. http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/apr97/0052.html Image Credit.shirdisaibaba100.blogspot.com
Hinduism believes in the Reality without Attributes(Nirguna)
But human mind can conceive of things only with attributes.
(Image Credit. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamie-mitchell/7358536232/ Flickr
So worship of Reality, God, is expressed in Hinduism.
One worships based on his likes and dispositions.
Shiva Linga is the symbol of this Truth.
In Skanda Puarana one finds the types of Lingas, being worshiped by different beings, including the Element like Earth.
Here is a list of Hundred Linga Types.
(.This Satarudriya is mentioned in the Skanda Puranam Book 1 Mahesvarakhanda and Section 2 of the Kaumarikhanda,chapter 13, verses 144b -194 )
1 Brahma Hataka linga Lord with matted hair Jagatpradhana (The chief of the universe) and shines
2. Sanaka 1. Brahma worshipped the Hataka Linga of the Lord with matted hair. He repeats the name Jagatpradhana (The chief of the universe) and shines2. There is Krsna Linga (Black Linga) at ksna-mula. It’s name is Arjita. Having worshipped that Linga, Sanaka and others won over (attained) the goal of the universe.
3. The seven sages (worship the Linga) in the form of the shoots of the Darba grass (and it’s name is) Visvayonika (the source of the origin of the universe)
4. (Worshipping it) in the firmament, Narada extols it as Jagadbija (seed of the universe)
5. Indra worships an adamantine Linga and the name (he repeats is) is Visvatman (the soul of the universe)
6. The Sun worships a copper Linga. The name for his japa is Visvasrj (the creator of the universe)
7. The Chandra (moon) worships a pearl Linga repeating the name Jagadpati (Lord of the World)
8. The Agni Fire God worships a Linga of Sapphire. The name he repeats is Visveswara (Controller or Master of the Universe)
9. Sukra worships a ruby Linga and the name he repeats is Visvakarman (the maker of the universe)
10. Dhanada (Kubera) worships a golden Linga and repeats the name Iswara.
11. Visvedevas worship a silver Linga and the name they repeat is Jagadam-Pati (Protector of the World)
12. The Wind worships a Linga of brass and the name is Sambhu (Granter of prosperity)
13. Vasus worship a Linga of Bell Metal and the name (they repeat) is Svayambhu (The Self Born God)
14. The Mothers worship a Linga made of three metals and the name is Bhutesa (Lord of Living Beings or goblins)
15. The Linga of Rakshasas is made of iron. The name (they repeat) is Bhutabhavyabhavodbhava (The sourse of everything past, present and future)
16. Guhyakas worship a Linga made of lead. They repeat the name Yoga
17. (Sage) Jaigisavya worships Linga in his Brahmarandhra (i.e the aperture in the crown of the head). The name he repeats is Yogeswara (Master of Yoga)
18. Nimi worships the Lingas in his two eyes and repeats the name Sarva
19. Dhanvantari worships a Linga made of Gomaya (Full of rays or cow dung). The name (He repeats) is Sarvalokesvaresvara (The Master of all the Lords of the Worlds)
20. Gandharvas worship a Linga made of timber and the name is Sarvasreshta (The greatest of all)
21. Raghava worships a Linga of Lapiz Lazuli and the name (he repeats) is Jagajjyeshta (the Most Pre-emintent in the World)
22. Bana worships and emerald Linga and the name is Vasisthta (The Most Excellent)
23. Varuna worships a crystal Linga and the name (he repeats) is Paramesvara (the Supreme Lord)
24. Nagas (serpents) worship a coral Linga and the name is Lokatrayamkara (Creator of the three worlds)
25. Bharati (Goddess of Speech) worships a Tara Linga (Linga made of big beautiful pearls) and the name is Lokatrayasrita (Support of the three worlds)
26. Sani (the planet Saturn) worships the Linga at the Samvarta (an eddy where the river meets the ocean) and the name is Jagannatha (Lord of the world)
27. In the region of Sani at Mahi-sagara-sangama, Ravana (used to) worship a Linga amde of jasmine-plant at midnight repeating the name
Sudurjaya
28. Siddhas worship Manasa (mental) Linga. The name they repeat is Kamamrtyujaratiga (the Transcender of Kama, death and old age)
29.Bali worships a Linga of gleaned food-grains. The name he repeats is Jnanatman (the Soul of Knowledge)
30. Maricipas (imbibers of rays) worship a Linga formed of flowers and the name is Jnanagamya (Approachable through Knowledge)
31. Being sborn of dung worship Sakrt Linga (Linga made of dung) and the name is Jnanajneya (Knowable through Knowledge)
32. Phenapas (Inbibers of foam) worship a Linga evolved through foams. The name (they repeat) is Sudurvida (Extremely difficult to know)
33. Kapila worships Valukalinga (Linga made of sand) repeating the name Varada (Bestower of boons) of Hara.
34. Sarasvata worships the Linga in the speech and the name is Vagisvara (the Controller of speech)
35. Ganas worship Linga in the form of a Murti(idol)and the name they repeat is Rudra
36. Devas worship a Linga made of Jambunada (a particular variety of gold) and the name is Sitikantha (Black Throated)
37. Budha (the planet Mercury) worships a Sankha Linga (Linga made of a conch The name he repeats is Kanistha
38. Asvins worship a Linga made of clay. The name (they repeat) is Suvedhasa (the Excellent Creator).
39. Vinayaka worships a Linga made of flour and the name is Kapardin (God with matted hair)
40. Kuja (Mars) worships a Linga made of butter. The name he repeats is Karalaka (The Formidable one)
41. Tarksya (Garuda) worships a Linga made of cooked rice and the name he repeats is Haryaksa (Yellow-eyed, a Lion)
42. Kama worships a Linga made of jaggery. The name (he repeats) us Ratida (Giver of pleasure)
43. Saci worships a Linga made of salt. The name is Babhrukesa (The Brown haired)
44. Visvakarman worships a Prasada Linga (Palace Linga?) and the name is Yamya
45. Vibhisana worships a Linga made of dust particles. The name is Suhrttama (the Best Friend)
46. Sagara worships a Linga made of bamboo shoots. The name is Sangata
47. Rahu worships a Linga made of Ramatha (asafoetida). He repeats the name Gamya (Approachable)
48. Laksmi worships Lepya Linga (Plastering Linga) and the name is Harinetra (Visnu’s eye)
49. Yogins worship the Linga stationed in all living beings. The name is Sthanu (Immovable)
50. Human beings worship different kinds (of Lingas). The name is Purusamnaman.
51. The constellations worship Linga of the nature of splendour. The name is Bhaga Basvara (Brilliant Siva)
52. Kinnaras worship Dhatu Linga (Linga made of minerals) . The name is Sudipta (Extremely refulgent)
53. Brahmaraksasas worshp the Linga and the name is Devadeva (God of Gods)
54. Varanas (Elephants) worship the Linga made of tusk (ivory). The name is Ramhasa (Force)
55. Saghyas worship Linga of the nature of seven Lokas. The name is Bahurupa (Multi Formed)
56. Seasons (Rtus) worship Linga of the nature of Durva shoot. The name is Sarva.
57. Celestial damsels worship a Linga of saffron. The name is Sambhopriya (Favourite of Sambhu)
58. Urvasi worships a Linga made of red lead. The name is Priyavasana (Favourite perfume?)
59. The preceptor worships Brahmacari Linga (Linga in the form of the religious student) and the name
is Usnisin (Turban wearer)
60. Yoginis worship a Linga made of Alataka (Red Lac) and the name is Subabhruka (Extremely deep brownish).
61. Siddha Yoginis worship a Linga made of Srikandha (Sandalwood) and the name is Sahasraksa (Thousand Eyed God)
62. Dakinis worship Mamsalinga (Linga made of flesh). The name is Midhusa (Most bountiful)
63. Manus worship a Linga made of Anna (food). The name is Girisa
64. Agastya worships a Linga made of Vrihi (of rice grains) and the name is Susanta (Extremely quiescent)
65. Devala worships a Linga amde of barley and the name is Pati (The Protector)
66. Valmiki worships a Linga made of Valmika (ant hill) and the name is Ciravasi (Eternal Dweller)
67. Pratardhana worships Bana Linga (Linga found in the Narmada). The name is Hranyabhuja
(Golden Armed One)
68. Daityas worship a Linga made of black mustard. The name is glorified as Ugra(The Terrible)
69. Danavas worship Nispavaja Linga (Linga made out of the wind caused by winnowing). The name is Dikpati (Lord of Cardinal Points)
70. Clouds worship Linga of the nature of Nira (water) and the name is Parjanyapati (The Lord of Rains)
71. Yaksas worship a Linga evolved from pulses. The name is remembered as Bhutapati (The Protector of Bhutas)
72. Pitrs worship a Linga made of cooked gingelly seeds. Tha name of the Linga is Vrsapati (Lord of the Bull)
73. Gautama worships Linga of the nature of Giraja (dust raised by cows) (? Gorasa – curds, milk products). The name is Gopati (Lord of Cows)
74. Vanaprasthas (Forest Dwellers) worship a Linga made of fruits. The name is Vrksavrata (One sorrounded by trees)
75. Skanda worships Pasanalinga (Linga made of stone). The name is Senanya (Leader of the army)
76. The serpent Asvatara worships a Linga made of food grains and the name is Madhyama (Central, Impartial)
77. Yajvan worships a Linga made of Purodasa (sacrificial offering of ground rice) and the name is Sruvahasta (One with a sacrificial ladle)
78. Yama worships a Linga made of black iron. The name He repeats is Dhanvin (Wielder of a bow)
79. Jamadagnya worships a Linga made of barley shoot. The name is Bhargodaitya (Lustrous Daitya ?)
80. Jamadagnya worships a Linga made of barley shoot. The name is Bahurupa (Many formed).
81. Mandhata worships a Linga made of sugar. The name is Bahuyuga (Two armed, a pair of arms)82. Cows worship the Linga in the form of milk. The name is Netrasahsraka (Of Thousand Eyes)
83. Sadhyas worship the Linga of the form of Bartrs (lords). The name is Visvapati (The Lord of the Universe)
84. (The Twin Sages) Narayana and Nara worship a Linga made of Munja grass and the name is Sahasrasira (Thousand
Headed)
85. Pruthu worships Linga in the form of Tarksya (Garuda? also snake horse, bird). The name is Sahasracarana (Thousand Legged
)86. Birds worship Vyomalinga (sky Linga) and the name is Sarvatmaka (The Immanent Soul of All)
87. The Earth worships Merulinga (Meru in the form of a Linga) and the name is Dvitanu (Twin Bodied, Ardhanarisvara)
88. Pasupati worships a Linga made of sacred ash. The name is Mahesvara
89. Sages worship Linga of the form of knowledge and the name is Cirasthana (The Eternal Abode)
90. Brahmanas worship Brahmalinga. They know the name is Jyeshta (Eldest)
91. Sesa worships a Linga made of gorocana. The name is remembered as Pasupati. (The Lord of Pasus)
92. Vasuki worship Visalinga (Linga made of Poison) and the name is Sankara (Giver of Happiness)
93. Taksaka worships Kalakutakhya Linga (Linga of the poison name Kalakuta) and the name is Bahurupa (Multi Formed)
94. Karkotaka worships a Linga made of the poison Halahala and the name is Ekaksa (One Eyed)
95. Padma worships a Linga made of the poison named Srngi and the name is Dhurjati (With heavy matted hair)
96. Putra worships Linga of the form of Pitr (father). The name is Visvarupa (of the form of the Universe)
97. Goddess Siva worships a Linga made of Parada (mercury) and the name is Tryambaka (Three Eyed God)
98. Matsya (fish)and others worship Sastralinga (Linga in the form of Sacred Literature) and the name is Vrsakapi.”of what avail is
much talk in this vein?
The other two being Maheswara and Siva.
Citation.
http://www.indiadivine.org/content/topic/1586401-siva-linga-100-types-of-siva-lingas-part-2/
Karthavirarjuna, whose killing of Jamadagni prompted Parashurama to wipe out Kshatriyas, till Parashurama was defeated at the hands of Lord Rama ,
was once playing with his consorts in the river Narmada near Avanti, (Southern Avanti).
As the water level was low, he built a reservoir by holding down the water with his 1000 arms.
Unaware of this Ravana, who happened to be there a Lingam in the dried up area downstream and started praying .
As playtime was over, Karthaviryarjuna removed his hands of the water body and the dammed up water overflowed and sunk the Linga,
Furious Ravana picked up a fight with Karthaviryarjuna.
Ravana was defeated.
The mighty Sahasrarjuna with the 1000 arms pinned Ravana to the ground. Then he placed 10 lamps on his heads and one on his hand. After tying up Ravana, Sahasrarjuna dragged him home and tied him up to the cradle pole of his son. A humiliated Ravana stayed prisoner until his release was secured.
Even today, the Sahasrarjun temple at Maheshwar lights 11 lamps in memory of the event.
Festivals.
Maheshwar is full of festivals and celebrations, some are: Nag Panchami, Gudi Padava, Teez (New year celebrations according to the Hindu calendar), All Mondays of Shravan month, (DOLA of Kashivishwnath on last Monday, bhang is served as prasad of Shiva), Mahashivratri, Samoti Amavas, and all other Indian festivals. There are many visiting places like gold swing is also their and it is situated at Rajwada. Maheshwar also has the temple of Goddess Vindhyavasini Bhavani, one of the 24Shaktipeeths of Goddess Parvati.
Every year on the immediately preceding Sunday of Makar Sankranti (i.e. the Sunday just before the date when the Sun is about to enter the sign of Capricorn as per Indian Astrological / Sidereal calendar), Swaadhyaaya Bhavan Ashram (based at Mahalaxmi Nagar, Maheshwar) organizes Mahaamrityunjaya Rath Yaatraa in the town of Maheshwar. This Mahaamrityunjaya Rath Yaatraa was initiated by Shri Harvilas Aasopaa for the welfare of humanity, and is known to be the first of its kind in the world. The yaatraa intends to invoke blessings of Ayurved Murti Bhagwaan Sadaashiv Mahaamrityunjaya (who is regarded as the primordial and supreme doctor), and it starts from Swaadhyaaya Bhawan Ashram and culminates at the banks of the holy river Narmada.
How to reach Maheswar.
By Air: The nearest airport is at Indore; located about 91 km from Maheshwar. The airport is well connected by flightsto cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bhopal. From the airport, visitors can hire a taxi to reach Maheshwar.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Barwaha; located about 39 km from Maheshwar. Indore is the nearest major railhead. Trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Bhopal and many other Indian cities halt at the station. From the station, visitors can hire taxi for Maheshwar.
By Road: Maheswar can be reached easily by road. Several state-run buses do ply regularly from Indore, Bhopal, Khandwa, Dhar, Dhamnod and many other cities of Madhya Pradesh.
Citation.
Wiki.
There are some interesting facts about Hanuman and The Ramayana of Valmiki.
There are over 1600 versions of Ramayana and this include the Regional Editions like Rama Charitamanas, Kamba Ramayana and the foreign versions
like the Indonesian and Balinese.It may not be proper to call the later as Foreign as they were once part of the Bharata Varsha.
Hanuman finds a place in many a places in Hindu Purans and even in Jainism.
There are no references to Hanuman in the Vedas.
However Rama finds a mention and there is a Upanishad Rama Rahsyopanishad.
Read my post on this.
Vedas mention Rama and Ramayana mentions Vedas.
Which is earlier?
I shall be posting on this interesting subject.
Now to many Ramayanas.
Valmiki is called the Adi Kavi and the Ramayana is the Adi Kavya-the first Literary work(of Mankind)
Yet there is a version of Ramayana considered older than Ramyana .
And it was suppressed so that one Valmiki Ramayana gets prominence.
This is the HanumanRamayana by Hanuman!
After the victory of Rama over Ravana, Hanuman went to the Himalayas to continue his worship of the Lord Rama.
There he scripted a version of the Ramayana on the Himalayan mountains using his nails, recording every detail of Rama’s deeds.
When Maharishi Valmiki visited him to show him his own version of the Ramayana, he saw Hanuman’s version and became very disappointed.
When Hanuman asked Valmiki the cause of his sorrow, the sage said that his version, which he had created very laboriously, was no match for the splendour of Hanuman’s, and would therefore go ignored. At this, Hanuman discarded his own version, which is called the Hanumad Ramayana.
Maharishi Valmiki was so taken aback that he said he would take another birth to sing the glory of Hanuman which he had understated in his version.
Later, one tablet is said to have floated ashore during the period of Mahakavi Kalidasa, and hung at a public place to be deciphered by scholars
Kalidasa is said to have deciphered it and recognised that it was from the Hanumad Ramayana recorded by Hanuman in an extinct script, and considered himself very fortunate to see at least one pada of the stanza.
Lord Chathur-Mukha Jaya Maruthi with four Veda faces, inscribed His version of Lord Shri Ram’s divine story as MARUTHI RAMAYANA on hundreds of thousands of rocks.
Even though the MARUTHI RAMAYANA pre-dates the Valmiki Ramayana, Lord Jaya Maruthi Hanuman wanted Maharishi Valmiki’s Ramayana to become famous as the first Ramayana and so He did not announce His own version.
Such is Hanuman’s deep humility, broad mindedness and magnanimity…
Citation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman
http://www.agasthiar.org/a/jaya-maruthi-hanuman.htm
You must be logged in to post a comment.