#samudra mathan

[proudhinduforever]

Background of Samudra Mathan and Lord Shiva consuming Haalaahala

I want to remember the story of Lord Shiva drinking poison, as it holds great significance in our Hindu tradition. It shows our Lord's compassion towards us.

The story of Samudra Manthan begins during a time of conflict between the Devas and Asuras. After being defeated, the Devas sought help from Lord Vishnu, who advised them to churn the ocean of milk to obtain amrita, the nectar of immortality. To do this, they needed the strength of the Asuras, so the Devas proposed a partnership. Mount Mandara served as the churning rod, and the serpent Vasuki was used as the rope.

As they churned, various treasures emerged, such as Kamadhenu, Airavata, Kalpavriksha, Laxmi, and Dhanvantari, who brought the pot of amrita. However, amidst these wonders, a deadly poison named Haalaahala surfaced, threatening to destroy everything. Both the Devas and Asuras were terrified and turned to Lord Shiva for assistance.

Lord Shiva answered their prayers and, realizing the gravity of the situation, decided to consume the poison to save the universe. With great resolve, he swallowed the Haalaahala, holding it in his throat to prevent it from affecting him. This act turned his throat blue, earning him the name Neelkanth.

Once Lord Shiva contained the poison, the churning continued, and eventually, the amrita was produced.

A Slight Variation in the story according to different sources:

In the story of Samudra Manthan, Parvati's involvement with the poison is often mentioned in various retellings. According to some versions, after Lord Shiva consumed the Haalaahala poison to save the universe, Parvati became concerned for his well-being.

To protect him, she is said to have grasped his throat, preventing the poison from going further into his body. This act symbolizes her role as a nurturing and protective force. This detail is found in some texts and folklore, though it may not be emphasized in all versions of the story.

I personally love the story of how Lord Shiva consumed Halahala to protect us. It shows that he is capable of absorbing all our poisons and granting the amrita of liberation. There is nothing that can equal his mercy.

[megadarkbouquettidalwavethings]

Mahashivratri 2018: Why Milk Plays a Significant Role in This Festival

Highlights

Maha Shivaratri or “the Great Night of Shiva- is a Hindu Festival”

This year the festival will be celebrated on 24th February

On Shivaratri various offerings are made to the Shivalingam

Hindus all over India and abroad are celebrating Maha Shivaratri today. Mahashivratri, literally translating to the ‘Great night of Shiva’ is celebrated with great fervor by the Hindu community. Celebrated on the 13th night and the 14th day of the month of Phalguna or Maagh according to Hindu calender, devotees wait for the auspicious day to appease Lord Shiva by praying, fasting and offering a bevy of fruits and flowers. The major Shiva temples like Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain or Somnath Temple in Gujarat witnesses an outpour of devotees often ranging in lakhs. Hindus also throng Varanasi to take a spiritualistic bath in the Ganges to redeem their sins and seek Lord Shiva’s divine blessings.

In other parts of the country, people resort to other ways mentioned in holy scriptures to appease Lord Shiva. One such way is offering raw milk to a Shivlingam. The practice has been ingrained in almost every Hindu child who is a devotee of Lord Shiva, but what is the reason behind this age old practice?

On Shivaratri various offerings are made to the Shivalingam. As part of Maha Shivaratri’s Abhishekam, the Shiva linga, a signifier of Shiva’s abundant power is given a ritualistic bath. According to Shiva Purana on the eve of Maha Shivaratri, the devotees bathe the linga with milk, honey, ghee, curd, and sandalwood paste while chanting ‘Om Namaha Shivay’. Traditionally, bael leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, are kept on top of the linga. Ber or jujube fruit is also given as a special offering to the God on this day.

(Drink to Your Health, Milk Alternatives Are Here to Stay)  

The pagan God is believed to be an ardent lover of milk, which brings all his devotees together on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri with their abundant offerings of milk and fruits for their beloved deity. While the objective of pouring milk on the linga is an act of purification of one’s soul, other legends indicate that it is offered for its soothing effects on the hot-tempered deity.

Religious Symbolism – Samudra Mathan

During the Samudra Mathan episode in Hindu Mythology, the milk-ocean was churned in an epic arrangement where all kinds of productive herbs and potions produced was to be divided between Devas and Asuras. But the churning also threw a pot of deadly poison Kalakatoom, which had the power to wipe out entire creation. Sensing an imminent destruction, the anxious devas ran to Lord Shiva for rescue and on their behest he took the divine responsibility of saving everyone, and swallowed all the poison. Goddess Parvati pressed his neck so that the poison does not reach his stomach. Thus, it stayed in his throat neither going up nor going down hence his popular name, Neelkantha – the one with a blue throat!.

(It is Important to Drink Milk: Myth or Fact?)  

The toxic level of the poison was enormous, hence to calm down its impact, the Devtas performed Ganga Abhishek on Lord Shiva. The Milk Abhishekam done by Shiva devotees is believed  to be a symbolic representation of the epic episode helmed by the Devtas to express their gratitude to the mighty Lord Shiva.

Devotees believe that the external Abhisheka will further their devotion and adoration for Lord Siva and eventually lead to internal Abhisheka with pure and abundant flow of love.

Scientific Reasons

The act of offering milk has opened a lot of contemporary debates which argue against the age-old practice, dubbing it as wastage of resources which could instead be put to use for the nourishment of underprivileged and needy. The believers have offered their own arguments to counter the claims underlining scientific basis of the practice.  

The Shivlingams made of stone, metal or clay are located in the most positive and pious place in the temple, emanating tremendous amounts of positive energy. When milk, which is believed to be one of the best conductors of positive energies, is poured on to the lingam, the flow of energies begin to concentrate towards the lingam, and the devotee becomes the receiver of the outflow for his closest proximity to the lingam. Regular chanting of Om Namah Shivay calms his mind, and tempers the tremendous energy that is emanated.

(How Milk Can Benefit Your Brain & Boost Memory)

Also, the lingam isn’t just a stone, it encompasses faith of multitudes across the world, therefore to preserve the lingam so that it doesn’t chip and break away like other stones, it needs a minimum amount of fat content. Various temple authorities claim to recycle the milk as charnamrita and prasadam to the devotees and poor children who throng the temples around Shivratri. 

The post Mahashivratri 2018: Why Milk Plays a Significant Role in This Festival appeared first on Breaking News Top News & Latest News Headlines | Reuters.

[taparolepourlamienne]

Mohini (sanskrit : मोहिनी, Mohinī) est l'un des 25 avatars de Vishnou mentionnés dans les Purana, et son seul avatar féminin. 

L'histoire centrale, ou lila, concernant Mohini, est le barattage de la mer de lait, le samudra mathan.

Cette lila décrit le conflit qui oppose les Daitya (démons) et les Aditya (dieux), dans leur quête de l' amrita.

[proudhinduforever]

Hi Seekers,

This account is aimed at sharing contents about Hinduism. I'm eager to know from you and also want to share a few things I know about Sanatan Dharm.

Find my mundane form at:

EccentricAchiever

🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

LINKS:

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Shiv Kathan:

When Lord Shiva appeared as Jyotisthambha

Markandeya and his devotion towards Lord Shiva

Background of Samudra Mathan and Lord Shiva consuming haalaahala

Destruction of Daksha Yagna

Lord Shiva annihilates Jalandhara

Lord Shiva blessing Maha Vishnu

Lord Shiva and the destruction of Kaama

Lord Shiva blessing Kuber

How did Lord Shiva become Gangaadhara?

Lord Shiva destroying Tripuras

Series on Sanatani Saints:

Sanatani Saints Part 1 - Neem Karoli Baba

Sanatani Saints Part 2 - Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Sanatani Saints Part 3 - Shri Samartha Ramdas

Sanatani Saints Part 4 - Shri Sadhguru Shridhara swami

Other Sanatani topics:

What is Ashtavakr Geeta?

Greatness of Vyadha Geeta

Love Story of Dushyanta and Shakuntala. Why is it famous?

Is there anything more majestic than the vow of Bhishma?

Dussehra: Celebrating the Strength and Resilience of women

What is Niyog Paddati? Is it similar to modern-day cuckolding?

Wrath of the warriors: The Duel of Bhishma and Parashuram

Query on abhishek of Shivling

The tragic story of Ekalavya

Diwali and it's Significance

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Sarpayaga of Parikshit

How to worship?

How Buddhism broke India's warrior Spirit?

Note on Raasleela of Shri Krishna

Request to Hindus

Yaksha prashna

Importance of Bhakti

Does free will exists or everything is predestined?

Something I felt about manusmriti and our need for external validation

What is Virodha Bhakti?

Why Murti Pooja is important in Hinduism?

Spirituality is not only for old age people

A Story from Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Facing Fears

Jyotish (Astrology) Topics:

When does the generous planet Jupiter become a fighter?

Astrology observations - Part 1

Astrology observations - Part 2

Tragedies of each ascendant

Dilemma

Important note regarding Rahu Dasha

Very important advice regarding Scorpio

An important observation regarding brigu nadi jyotish

A short astrological analysis on Pahalgam attack

India's chart and Rahu in lagna

Why does Jupiter rule Pisces?

[proudhinduforever]

Diwali and it's Significance

First of all, Happy Diwali to everyone in advance! I hope you all enjoy lighting diyas and bursting firecrackers. By the way, please be careful with firecrackers. Let us also remember the significance of this day.

Shri Raam's Return:

Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after their 14 years of exile and the defeat of the Rakshasa(Demon) king Ravana. This event is depicted in the Ramayana, where Rama's victory symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

The people of Ayodhya celebrated their return by lighting oil lamps (diyas) to illuminate the city, signifying joy, hope, and the dispelling of darkness. Diwali, thus, represents not only Shri Rama’s return but also the importance of righteousness, virtue, and the power of light over darkness in Hinduism.

Not only that, Diwali is meant to be special day because of other events too.

Emergence of Goddess Lakshmi:

During the samudra mathan(churning of ocean), Goddess Lakshmi emerges as a symbol of wealth and prosperity along with various treasures.

Return of the Pandavas:

After years of exile due to their rightful claim to the throne being denied, the Pandavas return to reclaim their kingdom.

Lord Krishna and Narakasura:

Lord Krishna defeats the Rakshasa Narakasura, freeing captured princesses and restoring peace, celebrated during Diwali.

Goddess Kali and Raktabija:

Goddess Kali battles the Rakshasa Raktabija, who can regenerate from his blood, ultimately consuming him to end his terror.

Overall, Diwali is a celebration of light, hope, and the triumph of good.