The story of Abhimanyu

The controversial story of Abhimanyu  - Arjuna and Subhadra’s son

As retold by Veda Vysya in the Indian epic Mahabaratha, Abimanyu was the son of Arjuna and Subhadra. Subhadra was the sister of Lord Krishna and Arjuna was one of the cousin’s of Lord Krishna. Not only that Abhimanyu was the nephew of Lord Krishna but was also the grandson of Lord Indra (Arjuna’s father). Naturally, he inherited courage, fighting ability, prowess and the war knowledge quickly. The very fact that he was considered as capable as his father in war knowledge, he participated in the great Kurukshetra war at the mere age of sixteen. His prodigious feats during the Mahabharata war held at bay great warriors such as Drona, Karna, Duryodhana and Dushasana. Bhishma himself tasted the wounds of Abhimanyu’s arrows and many times during the war had commended on his great grandson’s capabilities.

He was married to Uttarā, the princess of Matsya. Abhimanyu. Uttara was carrying Abhimanyu’s son, Parikshit during the Mahabaratha war. It was on the thirteenth day of the Kurukshetra war, Abhimanyu was killed by the Kauravas in a disgraceful manner, a war tactic which did not befit great prowess warriors.

Abhimanyu was the most illustrious of the Pandavas and Kauravas of his generation. By his virtue and capability, he was deemed to be the most eligible and qualified heir to the throne of Hastinapura. Abhimanyu's son, Parikshit became the sole heir to the Pandavas empire and succeeded Yudhisthira to the throne. However, unfortunately the destiny was against him and he did not really survive to see the end of the war and the new dawn. It was his son Parikshit, the only surviving heir of Pandavas who was left unhurt at the end of the Mahabaratha war. It was to him that the Bhagavata was first recited to.

Some rock carvings have been found showing Abhimanyu entering the Chakravyuha. Abhimanyu's education began while he was still in Subhadra's womb. He overhead Arjuna telling Subhadra the secrets of how to enter, exit, and destroy various battle formations. Of these, it is of note, that he only heard how to enter (but not exit or destroy) the secret of the Chakravyuh formation as Subhadra fell asleep and thus Arjuna could not complete his explanation.

Abhimanyu spent his childhood in Dwaraka with his mother Subhadra & maternal uncle, Lord Krishna. He was trained by his cousin brother Pradyumna, the son of Sri Krishna, Krishna's kinsmen Kritavarma and Satyaki and ofcourse by his great warrior father Arjuna, Lord Krishna and Balarama. Most part of his life, he was brought up under the guidance of Lord Krishna and Balrama, his two maternal uncles.

His father arranged his marriage to Uttara, daughter of King Virata to seal an alliance between the Pandavas and the royal family of Virata, in light of the forthcoming Kurukshetra War. The Pandavas had been hiding incognito to live through the final year of their exile without being discovered, in Virata's kingdom of Matsya. Once the Pandavas disclosed their identity, then King Viraat wishes Uttara to marry Arjuna. Arjuna being the guru of Uttara considers her as his daughter, but suggests her wedding with Abhimanyu, his eldest son. Thus, Abhimanyu weds Uttara.

If we carefully read the life story of Abhimanyu that his birth’s sole motive was to play a major and memorable role in the War of Kurukshetra, the last major war which would eventually mark the end of Dwapara Yuga and the war which could boast about the largest number of great and capable warriors in the same battlefield.

Abhimanyu’s fame starting spreading far and wide from the first day of the war when he destroyed the banner and checked the advances of the unstoppable Bhishma. Abhimanyu's short but eventful life gains the most prominence on the thirteenth day of the war when he is made to enter the powerful 'Chakravyuha' battle formation of the Kaurava army. His sacrificial death in the war definitely brought in a different turn to the events.

Dronacharya fully equipped with the knowledge of Arjuna and Krishna being the only two warriors capable of breaking the Chakravyuhu formation in the war, had made this contraption in order to capture Yudhishthira. Kauravas sent Arjuna and his war charioteer Krishna on a wild goose chase during the war far away from the battlefield. Once Arjuna was reassuringly away from the battle ground, Drona created the Chakravyuhu was formation to lure Yudhistra into it and capture him as Kauravas’ prisoners to end the war.

Chakravyuhu was a secret technique of creating a seven-tier defensive spiral formation. This knowledge of breaking the spiral formation was restricted to very limited and extremely knowledgeable warriors. Abhimanyu’s enthusiasm and the helplessness of other four Padava brothers resulting in the decision of letting Abhimanyu to lead the war party towards the entry of Chakravyuhu. Though, everyone present in the battlefield was aware of the fact that the sixteen year old warrior lad had only partial knowledge on beating the spiral formation open towards entering it while was not knowledgeable on breaking the formation or exiting it, they were left with no other option. The elders in the war decided to closely follow Abhimanyu’s chariot while breaks open the entry route and once everyone enters the centre of spiral, they could break open the spiral formation with their prowess. However, King Jayathrath, blessed by a boon from Lord Shiva to be able to defeat four of the Pandava brothers on a single day at the same time fighting all at once, used his boon against the four Pandava brothers on the chosen day of Chakravyuhu formation not letting them enter the formation behind Abhimanyu.

Being the grandson of Lord Indra, god of mystical weapons and wars, Abhimanyu was a courageous and dashing warrior and never turned back to look at whether the Pandava warriors were actually following him closely or not. Using his knowledge, he broke open the formation and entered the spiral reaching the centre of the formation undaunted by any attack. Considered an equal to his father owing his prodigious feats, Abhimanyu was able to hold at bay great heroes like Drona, Karna, Duryodhana and Dushasana. Determined to exit the Chakravyooha by shattering it from within, Abhimanyu goes on rampage, reaching the heart of the trap. Fighting with such ferocity, none from the Kaurava side can best him in a one on one combat (dwandva yudha), Bhishma being the only Kaurava warrior who could have done so. Proceeding, Abhimanyu defeats all the Maharathis on a one on one battle, highlights including Abhimanyu piercing the armor of Karna, injuring Salya, the king of Madra so badly he cannot sit, and killing Brihadbala, the king of Kosala of the Ikshwaku dynasty. Abhimanyu really proves very expensive for the Kaurava army, destroying 3/4 of an Akshouhini army single-handedly. Incensed at the admiration those like Kripa and Drona express for Abhimanyu, Duryodhana attacks the boy. Abhimanyu single handed defeats Duryodhana sparing him so that his uncle Bhima can fulfill his oath. Abhimanyu leaves Duryodhana chariotless and weaponless, bleeding all over. He also kills Duryodana's son Lakshamana, who had come to defend his father. Enraged, Duryodhana orders all the Kaurava Maharathis to attack Abhimanyu, who with disgust counters all their attacks. Stung by Duryodhana's doubts in his abilities, Drona suggests that Abhimanyu could only be killed through illicit means. His comments are not met with disagreement, and Karna snaps Abhimanyu's bow from behind while Drona kills Abhimanyu's horses and charioteer from the front. Abhimanyu draws a sword and shield and continues to wreak havoc on the Kaurava army, only to be disarmed from afar once again. The Kaurava forces team up and kill a defenseless Abhimanyu, who famously uses the wheel of a broken chariot to fend of attackers in lieu of his weapons. The final blow was struck by the son of Dushasana, Durmashana. This was the only way by which Abhimanyu could attain Moksha.

Not very far away, at the very moment of his son’s death, Arjuna feels his heart sink suddenly and in a fit of rage kills the not very strong bunch of warriors who had lured him away from the main battlefield. Bringing the pursuing fight to an end, Arjuna urges Krishna to get back to their war camp. On reaching the war camp at the end of the day, news of the despicable acts committed on Abhimanyu reached his father Arjuna. Without second thoughts, he vows to kill Jayadratha, who was the prime reason for his son’s lone fight trapped inside the spiral formation of capable wariior, the very next day by sunset, and failing to do so, commit suicide by self-immolation immediately.

The Kaurava army the next day places Jayadratha furthest away from Arjuna, and every warrior including the Samshaptakas (mercenaries to vow only to return from battle fields only upon victory else death) attempts to prevent Arjuna from reaching anywhere close to Jayadratha. Only bypassing Dronacharya's chariot with his permission, Arjuna hacks through the Kaurava army and kills more than a hundred thousand soldiers and warriors in a single day. With the aid of Satyaki and Bhima, Arjuna is able to advance to the end of the Kaurava's formation, only to see Jayadratha being guarded by seven maharathis. Distracted by the coming sundown, Arjuna is unable to break through. Lord Krishna being the Almighty God uses His powers to temporarily create an eclipse. In his haste to see Arjuna's death, Jayadratha abandons his protection and comes to taunt Arjuna. Lord Krishna removes the eclipse He has effectively created, and the sun comes out again. Before the Kauravas can take corrective action, Lord Krishna points out to Arjuna that the day had still not ended and the temporary darkness was due to the eclipsed son. He immediately orders Arjuna to pick up his Gandiva (Arjuna’s bow) and behead Jayadratha. He also warns Arjuna about the boon given by Jayadrath’s father that whoever is responsible for the beheaded head of his son to fall on the ground, his head will blast immediately. Arjuna's unerring Pashupathastra decapitate Jayadratha such that his head lands in his father's Lap who is meditating and this unexpected action shocks him and he gets up thereby becoming the reason for his son’s head to fall on the ground from his lap causing him death. Arjuna’s vow to kill Jayadratha by sunset that day and avenge Abhimanyu's death is fulfilled.

Abhimanyu’s son, Parikshit, born after his death, remains the sole survivor of the Kuru clan at the conclusion of the Mahābhārata war, and carries on the Pandava lineage. Abhimanyu is often thought of as a very brave warrior on the Pandava side, willingly giving up his life in war at a very young age. Abhimanyu was praised for his audacious bravery and absolute loyalty to his father, his uncles and to their cause.

The above mentioned is the life of Abhimanyu as mentioned by Veda Vyasya in Mahabaratha and other historical evidences such was scriptures and carvings on important monuments. But the mystery behind his short span of life is quite interesting. A warrior trained by Lord Krishna himself who at the mere age of sixteen was equaled in prowess to the great Dwara Yuga warrior, Arjuna was destined to live only sixteen years on this earth.

Arjuna inspite of Geeta upadesham from Lord Narayana (Krishna) himself could still not let go of his bondage with people and the world. The war which could have been easily ended in the first ten days itself, while it actually went on for eighteen days. Till the thirteenth day of the war, Arjuna the Pandava warrior who was blessed with the capability of fighting the entire Kaurava side single handedly and bring victory to Pandavas, was quite consistently subdued by the guilt of attacking, injuring and killing his own kith and kin on the other side of battlefield. Even Lord Krishna’s depiction of the purpose of human birth and forces surrounding it, could not fully change the emotions he carried for his relatives, thereby weakening his focus. The destined death of his extremely capable son, which was a planned strategy of Lord Krishna, changed the focus of Arjuna overnight.

The dire thought of ending the war by killing all the eight maharathis who had broken the war code and had ganged together to kill an unarmed young lad governed Arjuna’s mind after the death of Abhimanyu. That seemed to be the only course to avenge his son’s death. Constantly provoked and equally motivated by Lord Krishna complying with each of the rule in the Dharma (path of righteousness), Arjuna led Pandavas’ to victory in a matter of another five days from the death of his beloved son. Lord Krishna whose only aim was to end the clan of people who chose to thread over the path of unrighteousness (Adharma) at the end of Dwapara Yuga used the fire full of vengeance burning inside Arjuna to invoke every ounce of his capability to fight towards victory and destroy the Adarma which had ruled Indian subcontinent for a while.

Another noteworthy point is Lord Krishna had designed the entire Mahabaratha war in such a way that not only the Kaurava clan was killed and destroyed in the process but also all other surviving Pandava heirs and sons. The only surviving heir was the unborn son of Abhimanyu who eventually ruled the kingdom. The idea behind this scheme seems to be the fact that soon after the war, the third yuga, Dwapara Yuga would be coming to an end marking the beginning of Kali Yuga. The role of the great warriors born of Gods and Demigods, walking on the path of Dharma would need to come to an end. Kali Yuga, as per Hindu mythology, is the last Yuga after which the world would be fully destroyed giving rise to the new dawn. The destruction of the entire world would eventually be the only available option to curb out the crime and destruction in the world.

Yuga  in Hindu philosophy is the name of an 'epoch' or 'era' within a cycle of four ages. These are the Satya Yuga, the Treta Yuga, the Dvapara Yuga, and finally the Kali Yuga. According to Hindu cosmology, life in the universe is created, destroyed once every 4.1 to 8.2 billion years, which is one full day (day and night) for Brahma. The lifetime of a Brahma himself may be 311 trillion and 40 billion years. The cycles are said to repeat like the seasons, waxing and waning within a greater time-cycle of the creation and destruction of the universe. Like Summer, Spring, Winter and Autumn, each yuga involves stages or gradual changes which the earth and the consciousness of mankind goes through as a whole. A complete yuga cycle from a high Golden Age of enlightenment to a Dark Age and back again is said to be caused by the solar system's motion around another star.

According to the Laws of Manu, one of the earliest known texts describing the yugas, the length is 4800 years + 3600 years + 2400 years + 1200 years for a total of 12,000 years for one arc, or 24,000 years to complete the cycle (one precession of the equinox). However, the more recent and popular interpretation from the Srimad Bhagavatam states the following: "The duration of the Satya millennium equals 4,800 years of the years of the demigods; the duration of the Dvāpara millennium equals 2,400 years; and that of the Kali millennium is 1,200 years of the demigods... As aforementioned, one year of the demigods is equal to 360 years of the human beings. The duration of the Satya-yuga is therefore 4,800 x 360, or 1,728,000 years. The duration of the Tretā-yuga is 3,600 x 360, or 1,296,000 years. The duration of the Dvāpara-yuga is 2,400 x 360, or 864,000 years. And the last, the Kali-yuga, is 1,200 x 360, or 432,000 years in total." (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.11.19). These 4 yugas follow a timeline ratio of (4:3:2:1).

Source: Various

Compiled by: Aparna RamMohan Sridhar

Dashavatar of Vishnu

Lord Vishnu is said to have manifested himself in various incarnations, called Avatars, for the destruction of evil or restoration of faith and justice in the world. These incarnations are said to have been in the human form, in the animal form and even in the combined human-animal form.  It is believed that out of the ten incarnations (called Dashavatar) that are popularly believed in, nine have already been manifested while the tenth is yet to appear. This list is included in the Garuda Purana (1.86.10-11) and denotes those avatars most prominent in terms of their influence on human society. The majority of avatars in this list of ten are categorised as dasha-avatar. The first four are said to have appeared in the Satya Yuga (the first of the four Yugas or ages in the time cycle described within Hinduism). The next three avatars appeared in the Treta Yuga, the eighth incarnation in the Dwapara Yuga and the ninth in the Kali Yuga. The tenth is predicted to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga in some 427,000 years time. Also according to the Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana, the Kali-yuga will end with the apparition of Kalki-avatara, who will defeat the wicked, liberate the virtuous, and initiate a new Satya Yuga. At that time, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear on the earth. Acting with the power of pure spiritual goodness, He will rescue eternal religion. Lord Vishnu the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the spiritual master of all moving and nonmoving living beings, and the Supreme Soul of all takes birth to protect the principles of religion and to relieve His saintly devotees from the reactions of material work. (Bhagavata Purana) Matsya Avatar - Lord Vishnu in the form of Fish In the first incarnation the Lord rescued the Vedas during the apocalypse, saving the most sacred and ancient scriptures from the demon Sankhasura, who had stolen the same. The demon had the shape of a conch and was hiding in the bottom of the deep ocean. The Lord vanquished the demon and taking the form of a giant Fish, he negotiated the turbulent apocalyptic deluge or pralaya with utmost ease. Assuming the character of a boat, the Lord in his Fish form saved the Vedas for his devotees. Kurma Avatar - Lord Vishnu in the form of Turtle In his second incarnation the Lord assumed the form of a giant tortoise. During the process of the new creation, His vast back was the base on which stood the Mandara Mountain. The latter was used as the staff for churning the milk ocean with the divine serpent Vasuki being pulled by the gods and the demons on two sides. This yielded the nectar, the Kamadhenu or the wish-fulfilling sacred cow, the Parijata flower and the Airabata elephant among others. The process of churning left on the vast back of the Lord large calluses in the shape of a wheel. The wheel mark also indirectly alludes to the celestial wheel, which is a mark of Vishnu-Krishna and the Sudarsana Chakra, their ayudha or weapon. Varaha Avatar - Lord Vishnu in the form of Boar During the apocalyptic deluge mother earth sank to the bottom of the ocean. The Lord emerged as tiny boar from the nasal cavity of Brahma and soon grew in size to huge proportions. He rushed into the raging sea to rescue Mother Earth. As he emerged out of the sea, carrying Mother Earth at the tip of his great tusk, he was challenged by the demon Hiranakshya. The Lord vanquished the demon and killed him. In the Puri temple, the Varaha Avatara is one of the Parswa Devatas, the other two being Trivikrama or Vamana and Narasimha. Mother Goddess Earth is conceived as a spouse of Lord Vishnu-Jagannatha. She is called Bhudevi, and a small metal image of the Goddess is placed on the Ratna Simhasana in Srimandira along with the principal Deities. The exquisitely beautiful visual imagery presented by Jayadeva brings out the tender love of the divine couple. Narsimha Avatar - Lord Vishnu in the form of Half - Man and Half - Lion As the fourth Avatara, the Lord vanquished Hiranyakashipu, the brother of the demon Hiranakshya, who fought with him in his Boar incarnation. Hiranyakashipu, the demon king was totally opposed to Hari but his young son Prahlada, was devoted to the Lord and constantly chanted Hari Nama. The demon king was furious that his son was devoted to his enemy and forbade him from doing so. His father in many ways tortured the child devotee without any success in changing his loyalty to Hari. The demon king, who had himself done great penance had been granted a boon that he could not be killed by man or animal, in day or night and neither inside the house nor outside it. He therefore considered himself invincible. Prahlada saw God everywhere and his father challenged him by asking if he saw him in the pillar of the palace. On Prahlada’s reply that indeed the Lord was present there, in a fit of rage, he kicked the pillar and the Lord taking the form of a Man-Lion, emerged from the pillar. It was the twilight hour, neither day nor night and the Lord carrying the demon in one sweeping movement reached the threshold of the palace. With one foot outside and one inside the house he gored the heart of the demon with his sharp nails and killed him at once. Prahlada and Dhruva, another child devotee, are considered as being the greatest of bhaktas. Narasimha is identified with Vishnu and as a cult Deity, predates Jagannatha. The making of the images of Srimandira was done after initially worshipping Narasimha and a temple dedicated to him exists close to the Gundicha temple to the east of the sacred Indradyumna tank at Srikshetra, Puri. This is known as the Yagna Narasimha temple. Within the Srimandira, a temple of Narasimha to the south of the Audience Hall of the main temple stands even today, and this is older than the main temple. This temple has numerous stone inscriptions inscribed over centuries. Some scholars believe that this was perhaps the original temple and site where Nilamadhava, the precursor of Lord Jagannatha, was worshipped. Vamana Avatar - Lord Vishnu in the form of a Dwarf Bali, a progeny of Prahlada, was a demon king who had terrorized the gods. He was well known for his charity and never refused anything asked for as a gift. The Lord took the body of a dwarf and approached Bali as a Brahmin seeking alms. When the demon king took a vow that he will not disappoint the holy Brahmin and give him whatever he asked for, the Lord asked for land equal to his three footsteps. With his first step he covered heaven and with his next he covered the whole earth. The king had no more land to offer and proffered his own head for the Lord to cover his third footstep. The Lord placed his foot on the head of Bali and pressed him to the nether world and thus rid the world of the oppression of the demon king. At the same time the Lord emancipated Bali. There are two variations of this theme depicted in sacred art — one showing the Lord as a dwarf Brahmin with an umbrella and a kamandalu, a water pot with a spout, and another showing the Lord in his normal shape but with one of his legs raised to cover the skies. Sculptures of the latter, known as Trivikrama, are ubiquitous in Orissan temples and one is worshipped as one of the three principal parswa devatas in the Srimandira. Parshurama Avatar - Lord Vishnu in the form of a Brahmin In his incarnation as Parasurama, the sage and priest, the Lord relieved the agony of the earth suffering from the excesses of the Kshatriyas, a warrior class. Parasurama means Rama with the Parasu or battle-axe. He was the son of sage Jamdagni, a descendant of Bhrigu, and was a great scholar and master of all the Vedas. His wife was Renuka, who bore him five sons, including Parasurama. Once her mind had been disturbed and excited by the sight of a pair of Gandharvas engaged in love play. As her thoughts were polluted, she lost her natural lustre. Jamadagni, on noticing this became wild and in a fit of anger ordered his sons to cut off her head. The first four sons refused to carry out this horrible command of their father but Parasurama promptly severed her head with one stroke of his battleaxe without the slightest hesitation. Jamadagni, pleased with his loyalty and obedience offered him a boon and Parasurama asked for the life of his mother to be restored and the sage granted this immediately. Once the king Kartavirya, visiting the hermitage of Jamadagni, took away Kamadhenu, the sacred cow, which could fulfill any wish. On learning this, Parasurama fought with the king and killed him. The sons of the king took revenge by killing Jamadagni when Parasurama was absent from the ashram. Confronted with this catastrophe, Parasurama took a vow that he would destroy the Kshatriya race twenty-one times from the earth. Eventually he fulfilled his vow. The sage, although a Brahmin, is considered as one of the greatest warriors of all times in the legendary accounts. Interestingly a few temples dedicated to Parasurama can be found in Kerala where he is worshipped as a cult Deity by some. Rama Avatar - Lord Vishnu in the form of the King Rama is the hero of the famous epic Ramayana. He was the prince of Ayodhya, the eldest son of King Dasaratha and queen Kaushalya. His stepmother, Kaikeyi, wanted her son Bharata to become the king and Rama to remain in exile in the forests for fourteen years. She asked for this boon from Dasaratha in fulfillment of a promise he had made to her. Lord Rama left Ayodhya along with his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshman to keep the words of his father. Ravana, the demon king of Lanka sent Maricha, who appeared in the forest as a golden stag and Sita asked Rama to get her this strangely beautiful animal. Rama reluctantly left her in the care of Lakshman and chased the golden stag. Later the demon through his tricks pretended as if Rama was crying for help and Sita forced Lakshman to leave her to help his elder brother. Taking advantage of this situation, the demon appeared in the guise of a mendicant seeking alms and cajoled Sita to step out of the protective circle drawn to shield her. He then carried her away in his flying chariot to Lanka. Lord Rama came to know of this from Jatayu, an aged eagle who had fought with Ravana in the skies but was fatally wounded by him. Rama befriended the monkey prince Sugriva and after killing his brother Bali, took help of his monkey followers to build a stone bridge across the seas. Eventually Ravana, the ten-headed demon, was vanquished and Sita rescued. Krishna Avatar - Lord Vishnu in the form of a Cowherd's Boy Krishna appeared in the Dwapara Yuga along with his brother Balarama. According to the Bhagavata Purana Balarama is said to have appeared in the Dwapara Yuga (along with Krishna) as an incarnation of Ananta Shesha. He is also counted as an avatar of Vishnu by the majority of Vaishnava movements and is included as the ninth Dasavatara in some versions of the list which contain no reference to Buddha. Because of his great Godly power, Lord Krishna is another of the most commonly worshipped deities in the Hindu faith. He is considered to be the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. He played a huge role in the Battle of Kurukshetra and helped the Pandavas defeat the Kauravas. He is also a significant character in the epic of Mahabharata. Shree Krishna delivered Bhagwad Gita on battlefield of the Battle of Kurukshetra to Arjun. He, like Lord Rama, is also known for his bravery in destroying evil powers throughout his life. The Lord is usually depicted as playing the flute (murali), indicating spread of the melody of love to people. Buddha Avatar - Lord Vishnu in the Form of Buddha Buddha is accepted as an incarnation of Krishna-Jagannatha. Adi Shankaracharya, who visited Puri in the early ninth century, restored the pride of traditional Hinduism and effectively eclipsed the influence of the Buddhists. Perhaps he was also responsible for the eventual assimilation of the Buddhist faith in the Hindu belief and acceptance of the Buddha as a god in the Hindu pantheon. This is clear from the depiction of Buddha as the ninth avatara in the sequence of avataras in the walls of the Deul in Srimandira and in other Orissan temples and other sculptural depictions of the ten incarnations. Kalki Avatar - Lord Vishnu in the form of Horse The Kalki Avatar is the only avatar of Vishnu that is set in the future. It is believed that at the end of the present age (Kali Yug), there will be a deluge when Kalki – the tenth and the last avatar of Vishnu, will ride forth on a horse to redeem humankind and re-establish righteousness. Riding on the back of a white horse, with a drawn sword, he will destroy the enemies of Dharma and re-establish it in all its glory. The name Kalki is often a metaphor.

Compiled from different religious sources.

Meaningful Sanskrit Slokas

Harinappi Harenappi Brahmanappi Surairupe!

Lalaata Likhitha Rekha Parimashtum Nahakayathey!!

Meaning: Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Devas – None of them are capable of erasing the line of events from the forehead of human beings which is written at the time of birth.

Brahma Yen Kulalvanniyamitha Brahmanda Bandodare!

Vishnuryam Dajavathargahane Kschithro Mahasadakate!!

Rudro yen Kapalapanni Putake Bhikshatanam Kurvathey!

Suryo Brahmani Nithyameva gagane Tasmai Namah Karmane!!

Meaning: Brahma is engaged, like a father in creating all living beings in this vast expanse of world. Vishnu is engaged in protecting the creatures created by Brahma by taking ten avatars and he is in deep sorrow. Rudra is engaged in begging with a bowl of Brahma Kapalam. Sun God is engaged  like a top in the sky – rising and setting. I prostrate before all of them.

Paryakule manasi vachi pariskalanthyam!

Marthgharthe iva chakshushi ghurnamamey!!

Kashtheybhi dharayathi ive mama tamavastam!

Kale dayasva kathayami tavadhunaiv!!

Meaning: During the closing moments of life, when my mind will be much disturbed, when the tongue will fall, when the eyes will whirl as if caught in a vortex, who will be able to describe my condition to you. Oh! Consort of Siva, I will before time make my submissions to you, kindly listen.

Aathmangyancha surah sarve bhumou vanararoopini!

Jayerun mama saharyam karnoom ravananigrahey!!

Ajijanoon tatah jhakah balinam nam vanaram!

Sugreevamapi marthandah hanumantham cha maruthah!!

Puraiva janayamasa jamvantham cha vadamajah!

Evamanye cha bahudhah kapinjayn bahun!!

Tatoh vanarsakdanaam bali parivrathobhaveth!

Amibhirakhilaishshaham kishkindhamadhyuvasacha!!

Sree Rama killed Bali because he forgot to keep up the promise for which he was born. Sreeman Narayan promised Devas that he as Dasharatha’s son would punish Ravana and that they should in turn be born themselves on earth as vanaras to help him accomplish his mission. Had Lord Rama fought Bali face to face, there were chances of Bali surrendering to him and Lord Rama would have been left with no option but to protect him. To avoid this, he remained secluded and killed Bali. Due to the boon received by Bali, had Lord Rama fought face to face with Bali, half of Lord Rama’s strength would have passed over to Bali. Bali coveted his brother’s wife which tantamount to adharma and to uphold Dharma, Lord Rama had to perish Bali from the face of this earth. Another justified explanation to Rama’s method of killing Bali was that Bali was equivalent to an animal due to his deeds and as a hunter is justified to kill the animal he is hunting by hiding himself without fighting the animal face to face, similarly, Rama hunted Bali down.

Written by: P S Venkatachalam
Edited by: Aparna RamMohan Sridhar

Karthigai Deepam

Karthigai Deepam is a Hindu Tamil's festival. The festival is observed in every home and every temple, and falls in the month of Kārttikai (mid-November to mid-December) as per Tamil calendar. This occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades) and purnima. This constellation appears as a group of six stars in the firmament in the shape of a pendant from the ear.

Many legends and lyrical poetry have grown round this star. The six stars are considered in Indian mythology as the six celestial nymphs who reared the six babies in the saravana tank which later were joined together to form the six faced Muruga. He is therefore called Karthikeya, the one brought up by the Karthigai nymphs. Houses and streets are lit up with rows of oil lamps (Deepam) in the evening of the festival day.

It is the oldest festival in Tamil Nadu. One of the oldest literatures in Tamil called Tolkappiam dating back to 2000-2500 B.C. mentions the significance and background of this festival. Another references to the festival is found in the Ahananuru, a book of poems, which dates back to the Sangam Age (200 B.C. to 300 A.D.). The Ahananuru clearly states that Karthigai is celebrated on the full moon day (pournami) of the month of Karthigai, as per South Indian calendar. It was one of the most important festivals of the ancient Tamils, including now the areas of modern Kerala too. Avaiyyar, the renowned poetess of those times, refers to the festival in her songs. Karthikai Deepam is one of the oldest festivals celebrated by the Tamil people. The festival finds reference in Sangam literature like Ahananuru and the poems of Auvaiyar.

There is an interesting legend about Karthigai Deepam. Once, Vishnu and Brahma had a conflict as to who was the more powerful of the two. While they were fighting, Lord Shiva appeared before them in the form of a huge pillar of fire. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma gave up their quarrelling and decided to find the beginning and the end of the pillar.

Accordingly, Brahma assumed the form of a swan and moved upwards. Vishnu transformed himself into a boar and started digging deep into the earth. Even after searching for several years, neither of the two were able to find the ends the pillar. Finally, they realized that the pillar was none other than Lord Shiva. This bonfire symbolizes that worshipping the Eternal Archetype Shiva on this day will annihilate the three impurities, namely, egoism, selfish action and delusion.

Lord Vishnu failed in his search and returned. But Lord Brahma, chancing upon a piece of Thazhambu, a flower, learnt from it that it had been floating down for thirty thousand years from Lord Shiva's head. He seized upon this and claimed to Lord Shiva that he had seen the other's top. Lord Siva realized the falsehood and pronounced that there would never be a temple for Lord Brahma in this world. He also interdicted the use of the flower Thazhambu in his worship. Lord Shiva appeared as a flame, this day is called Maha Deepam.

One day, when Lord Shiva was in meditation, Parvati left Him and went to the hill of Arunachala. There She performed penance. She was the guest of the sage Gautama. It was during Her penance here that Mahishasura was killed by Durga hidden by Parvati. Parvati saw Shiva as Arunachalesvara. She was taken back by the Lord to His side, and made His Ardhangini once more, that is, She occupied half of the body of the Lord.Arunachalesvara is Tejo Lingam. Arunachala or the Tiruvannamalai Hill is the place that represents the fire element. (The five elements are represented by five holy places in India.)

Rows of Agal vilakkus (oil lit lamps) are lit in every house. Karthigai is essentially a festival of lamps. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp is important for all Hindu rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai. This festival is also celebrated to commemorate the bonding between brothers and sisters in south India(analogous to Bhaiya-Dhuj and Raakhi). Sisters pray for the prosperity and success of their brothers and light lamps to mark the occasion.

Karthigai festival in Tiruvannamalai hills is very famous. On Karthigai day, a huge fire lamp is lit up on the hill, visible for several kilometers around the hill. The fire (dheepam) is called Mahadeepam, as Hindu devotees visit the place, to pray and offer lord Shiva.

Arunachala is the mountain of Thiruvannamalai, which is called the mountain of light(fire) and has existed in all ages in different forms. Fire symbolizes light, consciousness and intelligence and on Karthigai Deepam, a special light floods the entire earth plane with a karma dissolving light. Only the sages can see this light as it is of a different frequency than what the human eye can detect. To replicate this spiritual occasion, a huge lamp is lit on the top of the mountain.

Light is intelligence and energy. The more inner light and energy you have, the less limitations you will have. Increased awareness liberates you from ego, selfishness, delusion, pain and suffering.

The mountain of light dissolves ego-based intelligence. Ego identity is the source of our limitations: envy, jealously, insecurity and anger. Indeed ego is simply ones insecurity, but a hard one to dissolve. The mountain is reputed for its special ability to subdue even the ego of Gods.

All of the little flames of different lamps burning together symbolizes the essence of universal oneness. The mountain is Lord Shiva or the higher intelligence that can burn away all of our impurities. Lighting deepam here is lighting lamps at the feet of Lord Shiva, the highest, or seeking the end of mediocrity and ignorance.

It is during Karthigai month that Lord Shiva created Muruga with his divine light. Lord Shiva manifested Lord Muruga when the Devas were being oppressed by the demon Taraka. Lord Muruga is the conjoint manifestation of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Shiva's deep spiritual exuberance was disturbed by cherub. Parvati too was observing penance to get the grace of Shiva. When Shiva opened his eyes, he burnt the angel. At that time six flashes, like lightning, emerged -- five from the five senses and one from the mind of Shiva. These became six babies and the cosmic mother, Parvati, rolled them into one baby with six heads and twelve arms, thus Lord Muruga is also known as Shanmukha (6 faces). The six heads represents the six rays or attributes, viz., wisdom, insouciance, strength, fame, wealth and divine power.

Lord Muruga, the son of Shiva, plays a vital role in the fight for light or consciousness. As Muruga was born out of the 3rd eye of Lord Shiva, the act itself symbolizes the birth of a higher consciousness and Muruga represents unlimited divine wisdom.

Muruga also recited the meaning of 'OM' to Shiva thus the lamps lit on the day are in remembrance of sharing the ultimate knowledge of 'OM.' The knowledge of 'OM' helps in enlightenment and emancipation.

Lighting traditional oil lamps in the evening after sunset (during twilight period) is the main event on the day. Karthigai Deeepam is also observed as Bharani Deepam and Vishnu Deepam in Tamil Nadu and is an auspicious day for both Shaivites and Vaishanvites.  On this day, every Hindu home lights the traditional Vilaku (diyas) in the evening. Locally, these lamps are known as ‘agal vilakkus.’

The day is also highly auspicious for Lord Muruga devotees as he was taken care by the six Krttika stars and the celebrations on Karthigai commemorate his divine birth. In popular Tamil belief, Karthikai Nakshatra is the birthday of Murukan.

Karthigai Deeepam is celebrated as Tirukarttikai in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and in other parts of the world which has Tamil population. People light lamps outside their home.

Especially in Tiruvannamalai, rows of lamps are lighted on the hill and this is most popular Karthigai Deepam. The lighted lamp is an auspicious symbol and it is believed to usher in prosperity and joy.

In north, Karthik Poornima celebrated in the month of November-December is the sacred day, when the ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of brightly-lit earthern lamps. Visitors throng in large numbers to watch this spectacular event, famous as 'Dev Deepawali'.

Kartik Poornima is very auspicious and religious day for the Jains. This is the day of ‘Nirvana’ of Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara. To them it is the 'Deva Diwali' when Lord Mahavira is worshiped, Jain holy books, Agams are read and homes and temples are illuminated. Lamps are lit under the moonlight sky and a family feast celebrates this day. Jains celebrate it by visiting 'Palitana' one of the most famous Jain pilgrimage places.

During this festival, people also flock to the Annamali Hills to worship the 'Bharani Deepam'. A huge lamp is lit early in the morning on the final day of the festival in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. It is said that the flame of the lame does not flicker on this day and reveals the form of Lord Muruga, reaching up to the sky. The lighting of the beacon on the top of the hill is the finale of ten days of merriment in the town.

When the light on the top of the Tiruvannamalai Hill is unveiled on the Kartigai Deepam day, people see the big light and worship it. They recite again and again in a loud voice “Harohara”. The esoteric meaning is that he who sees the light of lights that is burning eternally in the chambers of his heart through constant meditation attains immortality. The light on the Arunachala brings the message to you that the Self or Lord Shiva is self-effulgent, He is the light of lights.On the Kartika Deepam day in South India, people make bonfires in front of temples in the evening. It is said that Lord Shiva burnt the chariots of several demons who were torturing sages and celestials. This bonfire symbolises this legend.

People place rows of earthen lamps in front of their houses on the evening of Kartigai Deepam and worship the Lord. They also light a variety of fireworks to Annihilate the three impurities, namely, egoism, selfish action and delusion. Burn the mind, senses and the desires in the fire of knowledge of the Self or Shiva-Jnanam. Attain full illumination and behold the light of lights, which illumines the mind, intellect, sun, moon, stars, lightning and the fire. This is real Kartika Deepam. As is the theme of all festivals this one also celebrates the victory of Good over Evil.

There was a demon king by the name of Tripurasuran. He was troubling all the Devas and humans. He had a boon that he could be killed only if someone kills him through all the three forts he had built around him. On this Karthigai Purnima day, Lord Shiva killed him with his Trishoola (trident spear) which pierced all the three forts. So, this is a day to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

Compiled by Aparna Sridhar from different websites, books and other reliable sources.

The 8 Wealthiest

Interesting observation!  I came across this the other day and thought of sharing with you. 

The 8 Wealthiest

People in the World ??? Where are They ??

“In 1923, Eight of the Wealthiest People in the World met. Their Combined Wealth, Estimated, Exceeded the Wealth of the United States Government.

These Men knew how to make a Living and Accumulate Wealth. 25 years later.1. President of the Largest Steel Company, Charles Schwab, Died Bankrupt.2. President of the Largest Gas Company, Howard Hubson, went Insane.3. One of the Greatest Commodity Traders, Arthur Cutton, Died Insolvent.4. President of the New York Stock Exchange, Richard Whitney, was sent to Jail.5. A Member of the President’s Cabinet, Albert Fall, was Pardoned from Jail.6. The Greatest “Bear” on Wall Street, Jessie Livermore, Committed Suicide.7. President of the World’s Greatest Monopoly, Ivar Krueger, Committed Suicide.8. President, Bank of International Settlement, Leon Fraser, Committed Suicide.They Forgot to make a Life ! Just made Money ! Money Provides Food for the Hungry, Medicine for the Sick, Clothes for the Needy, but it's Only a Medium of Exchange.

One need Two Kinds of Education. One, that Teaches us how to make a Living and the Other, that Teaches Us how to Live. We are So Engrossed in Our Professional Life and Neglect Our Family, Health and Social Responsibilities.

Our Kids are asleep when We leave Home, and are Sleeping when We get Home.      Twenty Years from now, We’ll Turn back, and Everything Will be Gone.

Without Water, a Ship Can't move. It  needs Water, but if the Water gets into It, IT will encounter Problems and Sink. Similarly We Live in a Period, where Earning is a Necessity, but let Not the Earning Enter Our Hearts, for what was Once a means of Living will be become a Means of Destruction.  Take a Moment to ask Yourself…...... Has the Water Entered My Ship ??      My Staunch Belief has Been, 'Money is Not Everything. Its A Means to An End, NOT the End Itself'. Have A Nice Day.

FUNNY (but intelligent) ONE - LINERS

  The difference between in-laws and outlaws? Outlaws are wanted.  

Alcohol is a perfect solvent: It dissolves marriages, families and careers.
 A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
 Archeologist: someone whose career lies in ruins.
 An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have: The older she gets, the more interested he becomes in her.

 There are two kinds of people who don't say much: those who are quiet and those who talk a lot.

 They say that alcohol kills slowly. So what? Who's in a hurry ?

 Alcohol and calculus don't mix. Never drink and derive
 One nice thing about egotists: They don't talk about other people.
 There was a man who said, "I never knew what happiness was until I got married... and then it was too late
 Before marriage, a man yearns for the woman he loves. After marriage, the 'Y' becomes silent.

Indians As usual

1. Everything you eat is savored in garlic, onion and tomatoes.

2. You try and reuse gift wrappers, gift boxes, and of course aluminum foil.

3. You are always standing next to the two largest size suitcases at the Airport.

4. You arrive one or two hours late to a party - and think it's normal.

5. You peel the stamps off letters that the Postal Service missed to stamp.

6. You recycle Wedding Gifts, Birthday Gifts and Anniversary Gifts.

7. You name your children in rhythms (example, Sita & Gita, Ram & Shyam, Kamini & Shamini..)

8. All your children have pet names, which sound nowhere,close to their real names..

9. You take Indian snacks anywhere it says 'No Food Allowed.'

10. You talk for an hour at the front door when leaving someone's house.

11. You load up the family car with as many people as possible.

12. HIGH PRIORITY ***** You use plastic to cover anything new in your house, whether it's the remote control, VCR, carpet or new couch. *****

13. Your parents tell you not to care what your friends think, but they won't let you do certain things because of what the other 'Uncles and Aunties' will think.

14. You buy and display crockery, which is never used, as it is for special occasions, which never
happen.

15. You have a vinyl tablecloth on your kitchen table.

16. You use grocery bags to hold garbage.

17. You keep leftover food in your fridge in as many bowls as possible.

18. Your kitchen shelf is full of jars, varieties of bowls and plastic utensils (got free with purchase of other stuff)

19. You carry a stash of your own food whenever you travel (and travel means any car ride longer than 15 minutes).

20. You own a rice cooker or a pressure cooker.

21. You fight over who pays the dinner bill.

22. You live with your parents and you are 40 years old. (And they prefer it that way).

23. You don't use measuring cups when cooking.

24. You never learnt how to stand in a queue.

25. You can only travel if there are 5 persons at least to see you off or receive you whether you are traveling by bus, train or plane.

26. If she is NOT your daughter, you always take interest in knowing whose daughter has run with whose son and feel proud to spread it at the velocity of more than the speed of light.

27. You only make long distance calls after 11pm

28. If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they ask if you've eaten, even if it's midnight.

29. You call an older person you never met before Uncle or Aunty .

30. When your parents meet strangers and talk for a few minutes,
you discover you're talking to a distant cousin.

31. Your parents don't realize phone connections to foreign countries have improved in the last two decades, and still scream at the top of their lungs when making foreign calls.

32. You have bed sheets on your sofas so as to keep them from getting dirty.

33. Its embarrassing if your wedding has less than 600 people.

34. All your Tupperware is stained with food color.

35. You have drinking glasses made of steel.

36. You have mastered the art of bargaining in shopping.

Late Night Trauma

Looking out of the window pane,

I have neither relief nor pain.

Pitch darkness all around,

No sign of light outside is to be found.

My room is the only one,

With its bright tube light on.

Every member in my family,

Is asleep comfortably and calmly.

With my mouth murmuring,

And my body shivering.

With a pen in my right hand,

And a pencil in my left hand.

Books scattered all around,

On my study table, nothing can be found.

Surrounding me are,

Few plates and empty jars.

My specs slipping off my nose,

Irritates me the most.

So many books opened, right

In front of me, inspite,

The very less space left,

On my table premises and the chest.

Can you imagine my condition?

Also, my horrible situation.

Yeah, yeah, you got me, dude,

Its nothing, but an examination flu.

So, I'm studying hard all night,

Picking the books, I am now off on an intellectual fight.

Original Poem By: Aparna RamMohan Sridhar

Note: Copyright sole propriety of Aparna RamMohan and all rights reserved. Any unauthorized usage is subject to prosecution in the Indian courts.

Neelakanta Dikshithar – Origin of Ananda Sagara Sthavam

Tradition, supported in a way, by the internal evidence by the works of Nilakanta, has evoked the charming legends about his life – history, about his port life, entry into the Pandya dynasty, as the Prime Minister of Thirumala Naik, his brilliant career like that of Manikavachakar and his last stage of life in the Palamada village.

In the course of a family partition of Appayya dynasty, budding boy Nilakanta declared unhesitatingly that he value Appayya’s blessing higher than even a Maharaja, with tears of pride and joy welling up in his eyes. Ayyappa had given Neelkanta, Raghuvamsa and Devi Mahatmayam in palm leaf manuscripts with 200 lines on each leaf which he had sent to him in Madura.

Pathanjali in yoga shastram solemly answers – Sathyaprathirshayam Kriyaphalashrayathvam. Bhavabhuti is the Uthra Rama Charithra which declares:

Lokaikanaam Hi Sadhunamartham Vananuvarthahey!

Rishinaam Prunuradhyanaam Vaachmarthaanudhavathi!!

The daily discourse on Devi Mahatmayam, regularly delivered by Nilakanta while yet in his teens on the banks of Swarna Padmin, the ancient soul. Stirring in oriental style, nonchalantly disappearing before an ever growing gathering of thousands of people who often gathered to listen to him at the river banks. Thirumal Nayak himself during his routine nocturnal visits, revealed the priceless treasures hidden within the tiny frame of Neelakanta. He at once set his heart upon making the boy his Prime Minister. On returning to his palace he openly proclaimed and declared about entrusting him with the position of prime minister.

To steam the tide of discomfort surging among his indigenous subjects against the introduction of an alien element among them, he set forward a test. In those days, a king was learned and scholar in many languages. The king, in true oriental style, offered the position of being a prime minister to anyone who would answer his simple question.

“How did Kakah (Crow) come to be called Kakah?”

Vacant looks, violent heart beats and shaking heads were the only respond king got from the onlookers. The kind was about to dissolve the gathering of learned scholars, when a young lad rose to his feet with a stern and resolute look on his face from a remote corner. The young lad was none other than Neelakanta. His response was as follows:

Seethev Rama Iva Amaya Dayaya Bhuvan Iva Kakah!

Dwathyaathmaghoshavachasa Tajathiyanaam Thadaiva Sangyaseetha!!

Meaning: When all the merciful Sitha devi, unmindful of the outrage committed on her by Jayantha, son of Indra, had come in form of a crow and pecked her boson intrigued generously by her incense. But in the presence of Sitha Devi’s husband, the all pervading and all forgiving Ramachandra, Jayanth stood seeking pardon. Both Sitha Devi and Ramachandra decided to forgive the hideous act of Jayanth. In response to being forgiven, Jayanth cried aloud:

Which woman in this world (Kaha) can equal Sitha in KChama (forgiveness)?

Which man in this world (Kaha) can equal Rama in Daya (charity)?

Thus, pronounced by them gave tise to the appellation Kakah. Applause greeted the small figure from all directions and he was at all without hesitation installed as Prime Minister of the kingdom.

Amidst the pleasures and splendors of a life in a dazzling royal court, Nilakanta was living the austere, serene life of  a Recluses.

On fine morning at the behest of Tirumal Nayak the usual Palanquin appeared before the house of Nilakanta, earlier than the appointed time, for taking his to the Royal court room. Neelakanta’s daughter who was 18 years old and was visiting her parents along with her 25 year old husband stepped out of the house to inform the palanquin bearers that her father was in Cobbler’s house. But, when they were about to leave, they happened to notice that Neelakantha was very much in the house and stopped immediately to argue with his daughter. Hearing the commotion, Neelakantha stepped out of his house. On understanding the situation , he smiled at the palanquin bearers and informed them that his daughter had indeed spoken the truth. He explained to the perplexed audience that though he was physically seated in front of the God in the state of worshipping, he was actually thinking about his worn out sandals which he had sent out to the cobbler for mending. He was concerned about the fact that even after a few days of time, the cobbler had not returned the mended sandals. He then proudly announced that though married for 10 years, his daughter still could read his mind like an open book.

Between 1628 and 1635, the construction of the famous Pudu Mandapam was underway. Sundaramurthi Apari, the palace sculptor, had carved out in a pillar of marble exquisitely the figure of Lord Shiva’s Ekpadhmurthy  with Lord Brahma on one side and Lord Vishnu on the other side. The vaishnava (believers of Lord Vishnu) objected to such an installation. Nearly, for a period of six months, a controversy raged between the Shaivaites (believers of Lord Shiva) and Vaishnavites (believers of Lord Vishnu). The controversy started to ease out only with continuous dialect and leadership skills displayed by Nilakanta. Sundara Murthi Apari had then easily gained name and fame for reaching perfection in his art at his very first display of the art.

While chiseling the statue of senior queen of Thirumal Nayak, which was intended to be placed in the Pudu Mandapam, a thin slice was cut away from the right thigh of the statue, leaving that part defective. Perplexed and perturbed beyong measure, Sudharamurthi rushed to Nilakanta and outpoured his story. Nilakanta examined the statue and concluded that a normal onlooker might not decipher the defect and hence, advised the sculptor to go ahead and install the statue in its deemed place.

To the great tragedy of Nilakanta, king’s sharp eyes noticed the defect and the sculptor on being summoned outpoured the entire story. King immediately doubted Nilakanta’s purity as unfortunately his queen indeed had a mole in her thigh. King accused Nilakanta of having illicit relation with his wife and ordered burning camphor in Nilakanta’s eyes to blind him for life.

King’s soldiers arrested Nilakanta when he was in the middle of offering his prayers to Goddess Meenakshi in the Puja room in his residence. The soldiers carried out king’s orders and Nilakanta became blind as a result. On interference from his queen and other learned courtiers, King realized that he had passed a wrong judgment without any enquiry. Smitten by his conscience, he rushed to Nilakanta and filled with remorse, begged for his forgiveness.

Touched by king’s request, Nilakanta set into a communication with Goddess Meenakshi requesting the Goddess to forgive the King cure him so that King could overcome his guilt. His communication with the Goddess gave birth to one of most beautiful poems, “Anand Sagarasthava”. This is a 105 verse poem which is heart felt prayer from Nilakanta for restoration of his eye sight with a view of giving relief to the guilt conscience king than to himself.

Nilakanta then regained his eye sight but the King’s accusation of his illicit relation with the queen was intolerable to him. He left the Royal court and moved to Palamadai village where he ended his life.

Written By: P S Venkatachalam 

Edited by: Aparna RamMohan Sridhar