Few Anecdotes from Hindu Mythology- 2

Once again, my fingers are itching to scribble something (and i am in office, so far no work on my desk and having the privilege of internet, sans facebook/twitter, gives me an access to cure this itching!!) And what should I write about?? I was thinking more on the lines of fantastical, and amazingly wonderful Hindu mythology- the store house of numerous stories and wonderful tales… So once again, today I will tell you few chosen stories from mythology!!! Before I start, let me clarify- I have read these here and there, I do not have the authority to authenticate these tidbits but you have to agree that the stories are wonderful!!!

Well now that my rambling preamble is over, let me tell you about Lord Tirupati. Tirupati temple which is in Andhra Pradesh on a hill called Tirumalai (‘malai’ means hill) is considered very rich temple. It is said that before the foundation for this temple was laid, a Shri Yantram was kept. Shri Yantram is a yantra, a device which brings honor, wealth and prosperity to the one who keeps it and worships it, Shri denotes Lakshmi or the goddess of wealth and prosperity. This is the reason, they say, that the temple is so well endowed with prosperity and is constantly showered with offerings from devotees. However there is a story behind it. It is said that one morning, Lord Vishnu traveled to earth from his Baikunth Lok and the first place he landed was beautiful Tirumalai, there he was welcomed by the King and his daughter, Padmavati. The princess was nymph of ethereal beauty, her skin glowed with an aura of piousness and her eyes were as lit as fire balls, yet compassionate. Padmavati’s upward tilted chin gave a look of arrogance and it suited her. All the jewels she adorned were not necessary, he beauty was enough to entice any mortal and immortal. Her body was lithe and full. The lord lost his heart at the site of the princess and asked the King of Tiru Hills for her hands, however the princess was a haughty one after all, and she had conditions. She wanted ‘dowry’ from Lord Vishnu. This condition signified that the Lord will have to bring all is possessions from his abode, Baikunth Lok. He didn’t like the idea but his heart was too much involved in Padmavati, he agreed and went back to his home to his existing wife Lakshmi. Well you can imagine that Godless of Wealth was enraged to hear the news, she loved him and did not want to share him. But Vishnu was adamant and then he did the unforgivable, he begged Lakshmi to provide him with wealth and money required for dowry. Needless to that blindly angered Lakshmi gave Vishnu what he wanted but with her own condition, that the money she is giving him is actually a loan and unless each and every pie is paid back, Vishnu and Padmavati will not welcomed in Baikuntham. Poor Vishnu, he went back to Tirumalai, now he had to be a Ghar Jamai till he pays back his wife’s money. So as soon as he married Padmavati, he requested his devotees all over world to help him pay back the loan, and hence the temple gets so much offering in terms of money, jewels and grans!!

Now I will give another anecdotal incidence about Indra- this one is quite interesting!!!

There was a Daitya who was born of a Brahmin, his name was Vrtrasura and the sages and saints of the earth reuested Indra to kill this Daitya but Indra was hesitant, Vrtrasura was arfter all a Brahmin and killing him would inflict Brahm Hatya on him, greatest of sin. The sages promised to chant certain Mantam to help nullify the effect of the sin. And Indra had the moral duty to help the sages who were tormented by this monster Vrtrasura. So he agreed. And after a viscous battle, Indra killed him. As soon as Indra killed Vrtrasura, he could sense that the chanting of the Mantram was not as effective as it should have been and was devastated. he approached all the Lords- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha and asked for their help. They divided the sin of Indra in four parts and distributed it to Women, Earth, Water and Trees. Would you believe it, that the menstruation of Women folk, the sap in trees are the sins of Indra!!! I forgot how the remaining sins were apportioned however! 😦

Do tell me if you like the stories!!! I will post more!!!!