tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81732613849477187752024-03-18T21:41:03.218-07:00The Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universehappy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-63407404085940632942015-12-17T19:29:00.000-08:002015-12-17T19:29:58.842-08:00Kurukshetra war day 1 part 1 the morning before battle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>DAY
1</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"> The
warriors woke before sunrise and prepared for battle in various ways.
I feel at this point it may be necessary to speak a little about the
living situation and conditions for the warriors. From what can be
ascertained from the Mahabharata (which I shall use as the sole
source of information) the armies lived in a large encampment. I
believe it was divided by rank and importance of the Kings princes
and other nobility who were fighting in the battle. I come to this
conclusion based on the fact that the warrior caste in general places
a great deal of pains to order and absolutely everything being
divided in its proper place. They hold very rigidly to a chain of
command and it is a form of respect that when a group of people join
forces the higher ranking warriors are given there due respect as
respect is the bread and butter of the warrior caste. There was a
place where specifically the royal and high ranking Ksatrias lived
and then there was areas for camp followers servants and priests. We
find in the Drona-Parva that the royal personalities had various
morning rituals which followed almost mystic significance in there
order. After Bath they were shown various auspicious symbols to
meditate and then given things to smell and then things to touch. I
find this significant. The meaning is that they were attempting to
purify there senses so that there mind could be free to act in the
proper way. In the early morning before sunrise all the warriors of
the Kuru and Pandava army began to gather on the field of battle. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"> The
commanders all began to shout “assemble together” and the great
Kuru division began to form. The sound of all the soldiers horses and
elephants getting into position was so loud and made such a great
shaking that people thought the earth would split open. The Kuru’s
were the first to gather there formation and were complete by the
time the first rays of the sun began to come over the horizon. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"> As
the sun began to rise over the field the size and scope of the kuru
army could be seen. All the golden weapons and armor could begin to
be seen shining amidst the ranks of the Kuru’s. As the light began
to increase it illuminated the standards and </span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">flags
of the Kuru’s which were all the colors of Indra’s rainbow and
which were made of gold and covered in gems and shone like fire. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"> Sakuni,
Salya, Jayadratha, the two princes of Avanti named </span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">Vinda
and Anuvinda, the Kekaya brothers, Sudakshina ,Srutayudha,
Jayatsena,Vrihadballa and Kritavarman, were all the commanders of 10
divisions. Bhisma was the commander of the Kuru division as well as
the army. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"> Bhisma
was standing on a silver chariot wearing silver armor and had a
silver helmet. His umbrella was white as well as his horses. On his
flag was a large gold palm tree with five stars. The entire kuru
division stood before all the others and at the </span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">head
of that was Bhisma who looked like a full moon surrounded by clouds. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"> Turning
to face the Kuru army Bhisma began a pre battle speech by which he
intended to enliven the army</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"> Bhisma
said. “ All you warriors listen to me. A wide door now stands
before you which is open to you for entering heaven. If you go
through it you will enter the region of Sakra (Indra) or
Brahman.(liberation) The sages of olden times have showed us this
eternal path. Honor yourselves by engaging in this battle with an
attentive mind. Great kings such as Nabhaga, Yayati, Mandhatri,
Nahusa, and Nriga, were crowned with success and obtained the highest
region of bliss by actions such as these. To die of disease at home
is a low thing for a Kshatriya. The death he meets with in battle is
his eternal duty.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"> This
speech by Bhisma is significant, he is explaining how rare it is in
this world that people can actually get a chance to face the time of
death prepared. Death is such a random thing and it also is so scary
to most people that they avoid thinking about it completely. However
the warriors on that field not only could see the door to the next
world wide open to them, they also had been given the great
benediction that they could face it and die in a way which would be
fulfilling to them. Fear is a great impediment for anything in life
and death may be considered among the greatest of fears. However the
warriors assembled there were trained from birth to be prepared for
death and it was also there desire and fulfillment of purpose to
fight in battle. Therefore they were extremely fortunate to be on the
field. There whole life was free from the fear and they therefore
enjoyed it completely and now they would either conquer and win a
great kingdom or die and go to heaven and enjoy an honorable
afterlife.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"> After
Bhisma was done talking all the generals situated themselves at the
heads of there respective armies, except for Karna and his relations
out of spite for Bhisma. A<span style="color: black;">ll
the kings on the Kuru side proceeded, making the ten points of the
horizon resound with their leonine roars. And their divisions shone
brightly, with white umbrellas, banners, standards, elephants,
steeds, cars, and foot-soldiers. The Earth was agitated with the
sounds of drums and tabors and cymbals, and the clatter of
car-wheels. The mighty car-warriors, decked with their bracelets and
armlets of gold and with their bows (variegated with gold), looked
resplendent like hills of fire. And with his large palmyra-standard
decked with five stars, Bhishma, the Senapati of the Kuru army,
looked like the resplendent Sun himself. </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The
great bowmen amongst the Srinjayas headed by Dhrishtadyumna,
(beholding Bhishma) looked like little animals when they would behold
a mighty yawning lion. Indeed, all the combatants headed by
Dhrishtadyumna repeatedly trembled in fear. Indeed, the two armies
facing each other looked like two oceans at the end of
the </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Yuga</i></span><span style="color: black;"> agitated
by fierce </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Makaras</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
and abounding with huge crocodiles. Never before, did was seen or
heard of two such armies encountering each other like these of the
Kauravas and Pandavas.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Seeing
the Dhritarashtra divisions arrayed in order of battle, Pandu's son
of virtuous soul, king Yudhishthira the just, addressed Dhananjaya,
saying,--'Men are informed from the words of that
great </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Rishi</i></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><b>B</b></span><span style="color: black;">rihaspati
that the few must be made to fight by condensing them, while the many
may be extended according to pleasure. In encounters of the few with
the many, the array to be formed should be the </span><span style="color: black;"><i>needle-mouthed</i></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">one.
Our troops compared with the enemy's are few. Keeping in view this
precept of the great </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Rishi</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
array our troops, O son of Pandu.' </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Hearing
this, Arjuna answered king Dharmaraj, saying,” --That immovable
array known by the name of </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Vajra</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
which was designed by Indra,--that invincible array is the one that I
will make for you, O best of kings. </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">He
who is like the bursting tempest, he who is incapable of being borne
in battle by the foe, that Bhima the foremost of smiters, will fight
at our head. That foremost of men, conversant with all the appliances
of battle, becoming our leader, will fight </span><span style="color: black;">in
the van, crushing the energy of the foe. That foremost of
smiters, </span><span style="color: black;"><i>viz.</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
Bhima, beholding whom all the hostile warriors headed by Duryodhana
will retreat in panic like smaller animals beholding the lion, all of
us, our fears dispelled, will seek his shelter as if he were a wall,
like the celestial seeking the shelter of Indra. The man breathes not
in the world who would bear to cast his eyes upon that bull among
men, Vrikodara of fierce deeds, when he is angry.'</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Even
this, was what Vibhatsu said, pointing out the mighty Bhimasena (to
Yudhishthira). While Partha was saying so, all the troops, worshipped
him on the field of battle with congratulatory words. King
Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, took up his position in the center of
his army, surrounded by huge and furious elephants resembling moving
hills. The high-souled Yajnasena, the king of the Panchalas, endued
with great prowess, stationed himself behind Virata with
an </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Akshauhini</i></span><span style="color: black;"> of
troops for the sake of the Pandavas. And on the cars of those kings,
were tall standards bearing diverse devices, decked with excellent
ornaments of gold, and endued with the effulgence of the Sun and the
Moon. </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Transcending
the huge standards on all the cars on the Kuru side and that of the
Pandavas, was the one gigantic ape on Arjuna's car. Foot-soldiers, by
many hundreds of thousands, and armed with swords, spears, and
scimitars, proceeded ahead for protecting Bhimasena. And ten thousand
elephants with (temporal) juice trickling down their cheek and mouth,
and resembling (on that account) showering clouds,endued with great
courage, blazing with golden armour, huge hills, costly, and emitting
the fragrance of lotuses, followed the king behind like moving
mountains. The high-souled and invincible Bhimasena, whirling his
fierce mace that resembled the rod of death</span><span style="color: black;"><i>
</i></span><span style="color: black;">seemed
to crush the large army of the Kurus. Incapable of being looked at
like the Sun himself, and scorching as it were, the hostile army
(like fire), none of the combatants on the Kuru side could bear to
even look at him from any point. And this array, fearless and having
its face turned towards all sides called </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Vajra</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
having bows for its lightning,and extremely fierce, was protected by
the wielder of </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Gandiva</i></span><span style="color: black;">.
Who was none other than the Amsha of Indra. Disposing their troops in
this counter-array against the Kuru army, the Pandavas waited for
battle. And protected by the Pandavas, that array became invincible
in the world of men.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">As
(both) the armies stood at dawn of day waiting for sunrise, a wind
began to blow with drops of water (falling), and although there were
no clouds, the roll of thunder was heard. And dry winds began to blow
all around, bearing a shower of pointed pebbles along the ground. And
as thick dust arose, covering the world with darkness. And large
meteors began to fall east-wards, and striking against the rising
Sun, broke in fragments with loud noise. When the troops stood
arrayed, the Sun rose divested of splendour, and the Earth trembled
with a loud sound, and cracked in many places, with loud noise. The
roll of thunder was heard frequently on all sides. So thick was the
dust that arose that nothing could be seen. The tall standards (of
the combatants), furnished with strings of bells, decked with golden
ornaments, garlands of flowers, and rich drapery, graced with banners
and resembling the Sun in splendor, being suddenly shaken by the
wind, gave a loud </span><span style="color: black;">jingling
noise like that of a forest of palm trees (when moved by the wind)It
was thus that those tigers among men, the sons of Pandu, ever taking
delight in battle, stood having disposed their troops in
counter-array against the army of the Kurus, and sucking as it were,
the marrow, of the Kuru warriors who casting their eyes on Bhimasena
stationed at the head, mace in hand.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">Both
armies, when arrayed, were equally joyful. Both armies looked equally
beautiful, assuming the aspect of blossoming woods, and both armies
were full of elephants, cars and horses. Both armies were vast and
terrible in aspect; and so also, none of them could tolerate the
other. Both of them were arrayed for conquering the very heavens and
both of them consisted of excellent persons.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Kauravas belonging to the Dhritarashtra party stood facing the west,
while the Parthas stood facing the east, armed for battle. The troops
of the Kauravas looked like the army of the chief of the </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Danavas</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
while that of the Pandavas looked like the army of the celestials. </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">The
wind began to blow from behind the Pandavas (against the face of the
Dhartarashtras), and the beasts of prey began to yell against the
Dhartarashtras. The elephants belonging to thy sons could not bear
the strong odour of the temporal juice emitted by the huge elephants
(of the Pandavas). </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Duryodhana
rode on an elephant of the complexion of the lotus, with rent
temples, graced with a golden </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Kaksha</i></span><span style="color: black;"> (on
its back), and cased in an armour of steel net-work. He was in the
very centre of the Kurus and was adored by eulogists and bards. And a
white umbrella of lunar effulgence was held over his head graced with
a golden chain. Him Sakuni, the ruler of the Gandharas, followed with
the vicious mountain dwelling tribes of Gandhara (Afghanistan)
placed all around. The venerable Bhishma was at the head of all the
troops, with a white umbrella held over his head, armed with bow and
sword, with a white headgear, with a white banner (on his car), and
with white steeds (yoked thereto), and altogether looking like a
white mountain. In Bhishma's division were all the sons of
Dhritarashtra, and also Sala who was a countryman of the Valhikas,
and also all those Kshatriyas called Amvastas, and those called
Sindhus, (Pakistan) and those also that are called Sauviras, and the
heroic dwellers</span><span style="color: green;">
</span><span style="color: black;">of
the country of the five rivers. And on a golden car unto which were
yoked red steeds, the high-souled Drona, bow in hand and with
never-failing heart, the preceptor of almost all the kings, remained
behind all the troops, protecting them like Indra. And Saradwat's
son, Kripacarya that fighter in the van, that high-souled and mighty
bowman, called also Gautama, conversant with all modes of warfare,
accompanied by the Sakas, the Kiratas, the Yavanas, (Greece and
Turkey) and the Pahlavas, took up his position at the northern point
of the army. That large force which was well protected by mighty
car-warriors of the Vrishni and the Bhoja races, (Narayani Sena:
Krsnas personal army)as also by the warriors of Surashtra well-armed
and well-acquainted with the uses of weapons, and which was led by
Kritavarman, proceeded towards the south of the army. Ten thousand
cars of the</span><span style="color: black;"><i>Samasaptakas</i></span><span style="color: black;"> who
were created for either the death or the fame of Arjuna, and who,
accomplished in arms, intended to follow Arjuna at his heels all went
out as also the brave Trigartas. </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In
the army, were thousands of elephants of the foremost fighting
powers. Unto each elephant was assigned 100 chariots; unto each
chariot, a hundred horsemen; unto each horseman, ten bowmen; and unto
each bowman ten combatants armed with sword and shield. Thus, O
Bharata, were the divisions arrayed by Bhishma. The Senapati Bhishma,
the son of Santanu, as each day dawned, sometimes disposed thy troops
in the human army, sometimes in the celestial, sometimes in
the </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Gandharva</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
and sometimes in the </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Asura</i></span><span style="color: black;">.
</span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Thronged
with a large number of </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Maharathas</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
and roaring like the very ocean, the Dhartarashtra army, arrayed by
Bhishma, stood facing the west for battle. Illimitable as the army
was, it looked terrible; but the army of the Pandavas, although it
was not such (in number), yet seemed to me to be very large and
invincible since Kesava and Arjuna were its leader.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">Beholding
the vast Dhartarashtra army ready for battle, king Yudhisthira, the
son of Kunti, gave way to grief. Seeing that impenetrable array
formed by Bhishma and regarding it as really impenetrable, the king
became pale and addressed Arjuna, saying,--O, mighty-armed
Dhananjaya, how shall we be able to fight in battle with the
Dhartarashtras who have the Grandsire for their (chief) combatant?
Immovable and impenetrable is this array that hath been designed,
according to the rules laid down in the scriptures, by that grinder
of foes, Bhishma, of transcendent glory. With our troops we have
become doubtful (of success), O grinder of foes. How, indeed, will
victory be ours in the face of this mighty array?'--</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Thus
addressed, that slayer of foes Arjuna answered Yudhisthira, the son
of Pritha, who had been plunged into grief at sight, O king, of the
Kuru army, in these words,--Hear, O king, how soldiers that are few
in number may vanquish the many that are possessed of every quality.
Thou art without malice; I shall, therefore, tell thee means, O king.
The Rishi Narada knows it, as also both Bhishma and Drona. Referring
to this means, the Lord Bramha himself in days of old on the occasion
of the battle between the Gods and the </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Asuras</i></span><span style="color: black;"> said
unto Indra and the other celestials.--They that are desirous of
victory do not conquer by might and energy so much as by truth,
compassion, righteousness and energy. Discriminating then between
righteousness, and unrighteousness, and understanding what is meant
by covetousness and having recourse to exertion fight without
arrogance, for victory is there where righteousness is.--For this
know, O king, that to us victory is certain in (this) battle. Indeed,
as Narada said,--There is victory where Krishna is.--Victory is
inherent to Krishna. Indeed, it followeth Madhava. And as victory is
one of its attributes, so humility is his another attribute. Govinda
is possessed of energy that is infinite. Even in the midst of
immeasurable foes he is without pain. He is the most eternal of male
beings. And there victory is where Krishna is. Even he,
indestructible and of weapons incapable of being baffled, appearing
as Hari in olden days, said in a loud voice unto the Gods and the
Asuras,--Who amongst you would be victorious?--Even the conquered who
said.--With Krishna in the front we will conquer. --And it was
through Hari's grace that the three worlds were obtained by the
mighty Indra. I do not, therefore, behold the slightest cause of
sorrow for you, that has the Sovereign of the Universe and the Lord
himself of the celestials for wishing victory to yourself." </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">king
Yudhishthira, disposing his own troops in counter array against the
divisions of Bhishma, urged them on, saying,--'The Pandavas have now
disposed their forces in counter array agreeably to what is laid down
(in the scriptures). O sinless ones, fight fairly, desirous of
(entering) the highest heaven'.--In the centre (of the Pandava army)
was Sikhandin and his troops, protected by Arjuna. And Dhristadyumna
moved in the van, protected by Bhima. The southern division (of the
Pandava army) was protected. O king, by that mighty bowman, the
handsome Yuyudhana, that foremost combatant of the Satwata race,
resembling Indra himself. Yudhisthira was stationed on a car that was
worthy of bearing the king of heaven himself, adorned with an
excellent standard, variegated with gold and gems, and furnished with
golden traces (for the steeds), in the midst of his elephant
divisions. His pure white umbrella with ivory handle,
raised over his head, looked exceedingly beautiful; and many
great </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Rishis</i></span><span style="color: black;"> walked
around the king uttering words in his praise. And many
priests, and regenerate </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Rishis</i></span><span style="color: black;"> and </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Siddhas</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
uttering hymns in his praise wished him, as they walked around,
the destructions of his enemies, by the aid of </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Japas</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
and </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Mantras</i></span><span style="color: black;">,
efficacious drugs, and diverse propitiatory ceremonies. That
high-souled chief of the Pandavas, then giving away unto the
Brahmanas kine and fruits and flowers and golden coins along with
cloths proceeded like the mighty Indra, the chief of the celestials. </span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The
car of Arjuna, furnished with a hundred bells, decked
with </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Jamvunada</i></span><span style="color: black;"> gold
of the best kind, endued with excellent wheels, possessed of the
effulgence of fire, and unto which were yoked white ghandarva steeds,
looked exceedingly brilliant like a thousand suns. And on
that ape-bannered car the reins of which were held by Kesava, stood
Arjuna with </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Gandiva</i></span><span style="color: black;"> and
arrows in hand--a bowman whose peer exists not on earth, nor ever
will. </span></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace;">For
crushing the Kuru troops he who assumes the most awful form,--who,
divested of weapons, with only his bare hands, pounds to dust men,
horses, and elephants,--that strong-armed Bhimasena, otherwise called
Vrikodara, accompanied by the twins, became the protector of the
heroic car-warriors (of the Pandava) army. Like unto a furious prince
of lions of sportive gait, or like the great Indra himself with
(earthly) body on the Earth, beholding that invincible Vrikodara,
like unto a proud leader of an elephantine herd, stationed in the van
(of the army), the warriors on thy side, their strength weakened by
fear, began to tremble like elephants sunk in mire. </span>
</div>
happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-19637585526034386772015-11-01T13:12:00.001-08:002015-11-01T13:12:37.345-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Day 1</div>
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Overview</div>
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The first day of battle ended with a slight victory for the kuru army. Bhisma showed his prowess on the battlefield by killing the great hero Sweta before sunset.<br />At the start of the day the armies got the first chance to see each other. The warriors of the pandavas were afraid at first of the kuru army due to its large size. Even some of the hero’s upon seeing Bhisma and Drona together on the field of battle started to shake. This fear however was soon dispelled when Arjuna went before all the troops and gave a speech to Yudhisthera about how Bhima would lead them to battle. He stated all the qualifications of Bhima and how he would be there shelter in the battle like how Indra is the shelter of the gods. The whole army started to celebrate and chant the name of Bhima in his glorification. Bhima along with other key hero’s went to the front and the army gathered behind him. At this point the fear now belonged to the kuru’s who seeing Bhima at the head of the army armed with his massive mace began to shake and could not even look at him.<br />While the army of Pandavas was forming Dhristadyumna met Duryodhana on the field and they discussed the various rules of<br />engagement. After this was over Dhristadyumna bluntly informed Duryodhana that he did not expect the kuru’s would hold to them<br />and that if the Kauravas cheated the Pandavas would respond in turn<br />Duryodhana was furious upon hearing this and went to Drona and spoke about the array of the Pandavas and how the Kuru’s should relay on Bhisma like how the Pandavas relay on Bhima.<br />Bhisma blew on his conch shell and the Pandavas returned with there own. It was at this point that the battle had officialy started.<br />Arjuna left his place in the formation and seeing his grandfather and other relatives was overcome with emotion. He began to cry and dropped his bow. Krsna and him spoke the Bagavad Gita for about an hour and Arjuna took up his bow and returned to the army<br />At this point Yudhistera took off his armor and went to his<br />seniors on the field of battle and asked there permission to<br />fight, which they granted. They all lamented that they had to<br />fight against Yudhistera and blamed the fact that they had to fight for Duryodhana on greed.<br />When Yudhistera returned into position the kuru army blew the conch shells and beat on drums once again. All the Pandavas responded by blowing on there own, except Bhima who’s roars rose above the sound of the instruments. Bhima roared like a angry bull and caused all the animals of the kuru army to cry in fear simply by the almost supernatural volume of his voice.<br />The two armies who had been waiting for the war a long time charged at each other with much anticipation and excitement. At the start there was a great chaos and the warriors hacked and shot each other with various weapons. Each of the main fighters for the Pandavas had a particular person which they were supposed to fight in the war. This was told to them at the start every day by Dhristadyumna who was general of the army. Many single combats ensued between particular great warriors. Protected by a group of key fighters Bhisma broke free from fighting Arjuna and started destroying the united forces from Kashi, Karusha, Chedi and Panchala. While Bhisma massacred the Pandava army one brave hero stepped forward to challenge him. Abhimanyu and Bhisma fought a great battle and many people feared for the life of Bhisma due to the fighting ability of Abhimanyu.<br />Soon Abhimanyu was fighting not only Bhisma but also all his protectors and suporting forces single handedly. Abhimanyu began to waver due to the large number of warriors he was fighting ,so<br />Bhima and some other pandava warriors joined to support Abhimanyu and the confrontation became general.<br />Bhumanjaya charged at Shalya from the back of his elephant and killed the horses of Shalya. Shalya responded by throwing a<br />iron dart at Bhumanjaya and killing him. Shalya then leapt from his chariot and cut the head off the elephant with a large sword.<br />Sweta was the brother of Bhumanjaya and was a great warrior. When he observed that his brother was slain he charged at Shalya<br />to kill him. Imediatly 7 kuru Maharaths intercepted him and began to fight him. Sweta single handedly out matched all them<br />destroying there various weapons and humiliating the lot of them. Bhisma then came forward to fight against sweta and a magnificent battle ensued. Bhisma and Sweta fired volleys of arrows wounding<br />not only there foe but also the troops supporting them. Bhisma caused huge piles of corpses to form on the feild. In a short span of time over 10,000 chariots, elephants and other warriors<br />were smashed to pieces. Not a single person in the surrounding area was left un-struck by Bhisma. Sweta also killed thousands of Kuru’s while firing at Bhisma. Duryodhana became worried about<br />Duryodhana due to the prowess that Sweta was showing and ordered a large number of Maharaths to support Bhisma. They all fired at Sweta a huge shower of arrows however he destroyed all there arrows and broke the bow of Bhisma and his standard. Bishma became enraged and killed the horses and chariot driver of sweta and broke his chariot. Sweta leapt from his chariot and tossed a flaming dart which Bhisma split in half with an arrow. Then Sweta took up a mace and threw it a Bhisma with great force. Bhisma could see that it was incapable of being countered so he jumped off his chariot just in time. His chariot and horses were completely destroyed and reduced to ashes. Bhisma got on a new chariot and shot a Bhramastra at Sweta which shot through his heart and killed him.</div>
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happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-36387725491278024662015-10-17T17:55:00.003-07:002015-10-17T18:33:35.338-07:00Mahabharata Katha: Adi Parva<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
These are some recordings I have made of Mahabharata Katha from the Adi Parva of Mahabharata<br />
<br />
<a href="https://soundcloud.com/rasikananda/sets/krishna-stories">https://soundcloud.com/rasikananda/sets/krishna-stories</a><br />
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happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-248092117587328122012-06-01T08:10:00.002-07:002012-06-01T08:10:44.983-07:00List of Characters,etc. for The Illustrated guide to the vedic universe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
ABHIMANYU<br />
ADHARMA.<br />
ADHIRATHA. Foster father of Karna.<br />
ADITI<br />
AGASTYA.<br />
AGASTYA KUTTA. This is the sacred mount where the sage, Agastya, sat and did penance during his sojourn in the<br />
southern parts of India. In the Kiskindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana we find King Sugriva commanding that all .his<br />
soldiers going in search of Sita should pay homage to the sage Agastya.<br />
AGASTYA-ASRAMA.<br />
AGHA.<br />
AGNI.<br />
AGNILOKA.<br />
AGNIVESA<br />
AHALYA.<br />
AHICCHATRA (M). A state under the sovereignty of King Pancala. On the completion of his studies under Drona<br />
Arjuna brought before his preceptor King Dru pada as a captive in discharge of the duty he owed to him as his<br />
master. Drupada then gave the state- of Ahicchatra to Drona<br />
AHIMSA. Non-injury.<br />
Airavata<br />
AITAREYA<br />
AJAGAVA. Ajagava is a bow made of the horns of a goat and a cow. Brahmins tormented the right hand of the King<br />
Vena. From it the brilliant Prthu who shone brightly like the God Agni, appeared as the son of Vena. At that time the<br />
very first Ajagava bow, divine arrows and armours dropped from the sky. (Visnu Purana, Part I, Chapter 13 ) .<br />
AJAMILA. AKRTAVRANA.<br />
Akrura<br />
AKSAHRDAYA. A sacred chant or mantra.<br />
One who knows this sacred chant can find out all secrets of a game of dice and can count within rap time the<br />
number of leaves, fruits and flowers on a tree.<br />
AKSAUHINI. A big division of an army<br />
AKSAYAPATRA. This is a copper vessel given to Dharmaputra by Surya (Sun<br />
ALAKANANDA. River Gariga of devaloka.<br />
ALAMBUSA 1. Son of the Rackshasha<br />
ALAMBUSA 2. A Rackshasha, the son of Jatasura. Ghatotkaca killed this giant in the battle.<br />
ALAYUDHA. A Rackshasha. He was the brother of Bakasura.<br />
AMARAVATI. It is the city of Indra, the King of the Devas.<br />
AMBA. Dauter of a King of Kasi.<br />
AMBALIKA. (1) The youngest of the three daughters of the King of Kasi<br />
AMBARISA I. A King of the Iksvaku dynasty.<br />
AMRTAM a delicious and precious food obtained from the ocean of Milk when the Devas and Asuras churned it<br />
ANANTA . (ADI-SESHA).<br />
ANASIYA. Wife of Sage Atri, son of Brahma.<br />
ANDHAKA . An Asura.<br />
ANGA. A King belonging to the Candra varhsa. (Lunar dynasty).<br />
ANGADA . A son of Bali.<br />
ANGA (M) . The kingdom ruled by King Anga. Other details<br />
ANGARAKA . An Asura who took the form of a pig.<br />
ANGIRAS<br />
ANIRUDDHA. Grandson of Sri Krsna.<br />
ANJANA. Mother of Hanuman-Wife of Kesari,<br />
ANJANA. This is an elephant belonging to the Asuras. ANJANA PARVAN. He was the son of Ghatotkaca<br />
ANUHLADA. Brother of Prahlada.<br />
ANUVINDA The puranas refer to one Anuvinda, a prince of Avanti.<br />
APSARAS. * An Apsaras is a nymph (devastri). These apsara women were born at the churning of the ocean of Milk.<br />
(Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda, Chapter 45, Verse 32 and Visnu Purana, Part I, Chapter 9 and Agni Purana, Chapter<br />
3) . There are thousands of Apsaras. (Details given against the names of Apsaras).<br />
ARAKKILLAM. (Palace of wax).<br />
ARAYANNAM. The swan (Harirsa).<br />
ARISTA (ARISTAKA). An asura, a servant of Kamsa.<br />
ARISTANEMI One of the six sons of Vinata.<br />
ARJUNA. The third of the Pandavas.<br />
ARUNA<br />
ASIKNI A wife of Daksa<br />
ASITADEVALA.<br />
AS0KA I. The charioteer of Bhimasena<br />
ASTADOTAGUNA(S). The eight qualities of a good messenger. (1) He should not stand perplexed when he is being<br />
given the message to carry. (2) He must be smart and enthusiastic. (3) He must have compassion for those in<br />
distress. (4) He must run his errand quickly. (5) He must be mild. (6) He should not be duped by the cunning words<br />
of others. (7) He must be healthy. (8) He must be able to talk convincingly.<br />
ASTAKA . A Rajarsi born to Visvamitra of Madhavi, wife of Yayati.<br />
ASTAKASTA(S). Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Mada (arrogance), Matsarya (rivalry),<br />
Dambha (pride) and Asuya (jealousy).<br />
ASTALOHA(S). Eight metals.<br />
ASTAMANGALA. Brahmins, bow, Fire, gold, ghee, Sun, water and King.<br />
ASTA-VASU(S). 8 Vasus<br />
ASTAVIDHANAYIKA(S). Eight kinds of heroines of the stage<br />
ASTAVIDHAPRAKIZTYAVASTHA (S) . Earth, Water, Agni, Air, Ether, Mind, Intelligence and Egotism.<br />
ASTAVIVAHA (S) Eight kinds of marriage. (1) Brahma (2) Daiva (3) Arsa (4) Prajapatya (5) Gandharva (6) Asura (7)<br />
Raksasa (8) Paisaca.<br />
ASTRA. Asura<br />
ASVATTHAMA.<br />
ASVINIKUMARA(S) (ASVINIDEVAS). Satya and Dasra, the two sons of Surya (The Sun) are called Asivianikumaras.<br />
ATALA. This is one of the seven sections of Patfila. The seven sections are : Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala,<br />
Rasatala, Patala.<br />
ATHARVA(M). Among the Vedas, this has the fourth place.<br />
ATIKAYA. One of the sons of Ravana.<br />
ATITHI (guest). In ancient Bharata Atithi-satkara (hospitality to a guest) was considered as a yajfia.<br />
ATRI<br />
AVANTI VAIVISA. (The Dynasty of Avanti) .<br />
AVATARA. (Incarnation). The incarnations of Mahavisnu<br />
ACAMANA. First drink water three times accompanied by incantations<br />
ADITYA. The twelve sons born to the sage Kasyapa<br />
AJAGARAVRATA. The vrata practised by the sage, Ajagara<br />
AJAGAVA. The bow of Mandhata and PTthu and the Gandiva of Arjuna bear the name Ajagava.<br />
ANA (Elephant).<br />
ARYANS.<br />
ASTIKA. The son of the Maharsi Jaratkaru and his wife<br />
ATREYA. A sage<br />
AYURVEDA. It is the •science which Dhanvantari taught<br />
<br />
B<br />
BABHRUDAIVAVRDHA. A Yadava king.<br />
BABHRUVAHANA. A son of Arjuna.<br />
BADARIKASRAMA. (BADARYASRAMA). A very holy place in the Himalayas. It was here that Nara and Narayana did<br />
penance for thousands of years and the Puranas, therefore, give it a very prominent place in them.<br />
BAHU . A king of the Surya-varhsa (solar dynasty). He was the father of Sagara.<br />
BAHUBHARYATVA. (Polygamy).<br />
BAKA I. A demon.<br />
BAKA II. A demon. As young boys Sri Krsna and Balaramabhadra<br />
BALA . A son of Mayasura.<br />
BALABHADRA. (Balabhadrarama, Balarama, Baladeva). The elder brother of Sri Krsna<br />
BALHIKA A son of Pratipa; a King of the Kuru dynasty. He had two brothers, Devapi and Santanu.<br />
BALI (MAHABALI) I. An emperor of the Asuras. He was the son of Virocana and the grandson of Prahlada. <br />
BALI. A mighty monkey-king.<br />
BANA . A mighty and powerful Asura.<br />
BANDHUDAYADA. A son who can claim to be a heir.<br />
BARBARIKA. Son of Maurvi born of Ghatotkaca,<br />
BHADRAKALI. Another form of Parvati.<br />
BHAGADATTA. Bhagadatta was King of Pragjyotisapura<br />
BHAGTRATHA.<br />
BHAIRAVA A Parsada of Siva.<br />
BHAKTI. A devi<br />
BHARADVAJA . The sage Bharadvaja of Puranic fame.<br />
BHARANI. One of the twentyseven constellations.<br />
BHARATA . Son of Dusyanta born of Sakuntala.BHARATA II. Son of Dasaratha.<br />
BHARATA III. A son of Rsabha.<br />
BHARATA (MAHABHARATA). An epic written by Vyasa.<br />
BHARATA . (Bbaratavarsa. India).<br />
BHARYA. Wife.<br />
BHIMA. Bhimasena, one of the five Pandavas.<br />
BHISMA.<br />
Bramha<br />
Brighu<br />
<br />
C<br />
CAKRA(M) I. Sudarsana Cakra (disc) of Mahavisnu.<br />
CAKRA-VYUHA. A Phalanx.<br />
CAKSUSAMANU.<br />
CAKSUS. An art, the study of which will enable one to see anything in the three worlds<br />
CAMARA (M) . A rod (handle) with large tuft of hair,.<br />
CANDIKA. A terrific form of Parvati, who is worshipped in temples under the name Candikadevi<br />
CANDRA (CANDRA DEVA).<br />
CANDRAHASA (M). Ravana's sword.<br />
CANDRAVAMSA. A royal dynasty the kings of which ruled India for a long time.<br />
CATURMASYA. A penance (Vrata) which continues for four months.<br />
CATURUPAYAM. The four means used by Kings in olden times to achieve their objects are called Caturupayam.<br />
Sama, dana, bheda and danda<br />
CATURVARNYAM. (The four Castes, Classes).<br />
CEDI. A king of the Yaduvarnsa.<br />
CEKITANA. king<br />
CERIPPU. (FOOTWEAR). There is a story in Mahabharata of how (footwear and umbrella) were born.<br />
CHAYA. A substitute of Sariljna, daughter of Visvakarma.<br />
CINTAMANI. A diamond.<br />
CITRAGUPTA. A minister of Kala. (God of death). His duty is to examine, after the death of men, a list of the good<br />
and evil actions they had done while living. (M.B. Anusasana Parva, Chapter 130).<br />
CITRAKETU . An emperor,<br />
CITRANGADA A son of the Maharaja Santanu.<br />
CITRANGADA A gandharva.<br />
CITRANGADA . A wife of Arjuna.CITRARATHA. A devagandharva.<br />
CITRASENA . A gandharva.<br />
COLA. A very righteous emperor of Kancipura.<br />
COLA (M). The three celebrated kingdoms of SouthIndia of old were Cola, Pindya and Cera.<br />
CYAVANA. A celebrated sage of the Bhirgava dynasty.<br />
<br />
D<br />
DADHICA. (DADHICI).<br />
DAKSA.<br />
DAMAYANTI Daughter of Bhima the King of Vidarbha. One of the most noble of all the Vedic heroines,<br />
DANDANITI. (The laws of chastisement).<br />
DANTAVAKTRA . He was the rebirth of Vijaya,<br />
DANU .<br />
DARUKA Sri Krsna's charioteer.<br />
DASARATHA. (Nemi). A famous king of the Iksvaku dynasty. He was the father of Sri Rama.<br />
DATTATREYA. (DATTA). A hermit famous in the puranas.<br />
DAYAKRAMA. (INHERITANCE).<br />
DEVA (S). Gods or deities.<br />
DEVAHUTI. A daughter of Svayambhuva Manu<br />
DEVAKI. Mother of gri Krsna.<br />
DEVALA<br />
DEVAYANI. Sukracarya's daughter.<br />
DEVI. (Prakriti).<br />
DEVIPITHA. The dead body of Sati-devi crumbled into 41. Vipula Vipula small pieces and fell in different places<br />
DHANURVEDA.<br />
DHANVANTARI a preceptor in Ayurveda.DHARMA. A deva<br />
DHARMAPUTRA. The eldest of the Pandavas,<br />
DHAUMYA A hermit.<br />
DHENUKA.. A fierce Raksasa with the figure of a donkey.<br />
DHRSTADYUMNA. The son of King Drupada. He was brother of Paficali.<br />
DHRSTAKETU<br />
DHRTARASTRA. I. Father of the Kauravas.<br />
DHYANA. ( Meditation)<br />
DIRGHATAMAS. A great Muni.<br />
DITI.<br />
DRAVYASUDDHI. Purifying impure things,<br />
DRONA . The teacher in archery of the Pdndavas and the Kauravas.<br />
DRUPADA. ( Saumaki,' Yajnasena). Father of Pancali.<br />
DUNDUBHI A terrible asura, son of Maya and brother of Mayavi.<br />
DURGA. The goddess of the universe<br />
DURGAMA. An asura chief born in the dynasty of Hiranyaksa and son of Tarn,<br />
DURJAYA<br />
DURMUKHA One of the hundred sons of Dhrtarastra.<br />
DURVASAS<br />
<br />
E<br />
<br />
EKACAKRA. A village where the Pandavas lived for some time .<br />
EKADASI. The eleventh day after a new moon or full moon day.<br />
EKALAVYA . Son of Hiranyadhanus, a King of the foresters. He went to Dronacarya to learn archery.<br />
EKAVIRA' (HEHAYA). A founder of the Hehaya line of kings.<br />
<br />
G.<br />
GADA. A weapon.<br />
GADA . A brother (Yadava) of Balabhadrarama.<br />
GADHI Father of Visvamitra.<br />
GALAVA. A celebrated sage.<br />
GANAPATI. A son of Siva with face like that of an elephant.<br />
GANDHAMADANA(M). A mountain famed in the Puranas<br />
GANDHARA. A stretch of land of ancient Bharata.<br />
GANDHARI. Wife of Dhrtarastra.<br />
GANDHARVA . Gandharvas are sons born to the famous Kasyapaprajapati of his wife, Aristha<br />
GANDHARVA-VIVAHA. A marriage settled by the boy and the girl of their own accord. A love marriage.<br />
GANDIVA. The famous bow of Arjuna.<br />
GANGA. The famous and holy river of India.<br />
GARGA.<br />
GARUDA. King of birds.<br />
GAUTAMA<br />
GAYA. A particular locality in North India<br />
GAYA-TIRTHA<br />
GAYATRI <br />
GHATOTKACA.<br />
GHRTACI. She was an exceptionally beautiful apsara woman, and she revelled in disturbing the peace of the sages<br />
GIRIVRAJA. A city which has gained great importance in all the Puranas of India.<br />
GODAVARI. A river of South India. This river has been glorified much in the Puranas.GOKARNA. A sacred place of Puranic importance situated on the extreme north of Kerala*<br />
GOMATI. (KAUSIKI). A celebrated river of Puranic fame. This is worshipped as a goddess.<br />
GOVARDHANA. A mountain of Ambadi (Gokula). This is believed to be a form of Krsna.<br />
GRAHAS (PLANETS).<br />
GRHASTHA. In ancient India the life of a male person was divided into four stages, namely, Brahmacarya<br />
Garhasthya, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa. He who is in the second stage of life is called a Grhastha.<br />
GUHA. King of the country of Nisadas<br />
GUHYAKA. (A division of Yaksas who were prominent members of the court of Kubera).<br />
GURUPARAMPARA. The origin of the Vedas and the lineage of Gurus is given below: <br />
<br />
H<br />
<br />
HAHA. A Gandharva,<br />
HAMSA A minister of jarasandha.<br />
HANUMAN. A great servant of Rama<br />
HARISCANDRA . A King of the solar dynasty very much reputed for his unique truthfulness and integrity.<br />
HASTINAPURA. Capital city of the Pandavas.<br />
HAYAGRIVA . An incarnation of Visnu.<br />
HIMAVAN. (THE HIMALAYAS).<br />
HIRANYA. (Hiranyakasipu, Hiranyaksa)<br />
HOMA KUNDA (M). The pit for making offerings during yajfias<br />
HUHU. A Gandharva, son of Kasyapaprajapati by Pradha.<br />
<br />
I<br />
IKSVAKU.1 A son of Vaivasvata Manu.<br />
ILA . Daughter of Vaivasvata Maim.<br />
INDRA.<br />
INDRADYUMNA A King born in the dynasty of Svayambhuva Manu, and a king of the Pandya country.<br />
INDRADYUMNA . A king who lived in the Krta yuga, and a devotee of Visnu. He established the jagannatha temple<br />
INDRAJIT. Ravana's son, Meghanada.<br />
INDRANI. Wife of Indra (Saci)<br />
INDRAPRASTHA. Capital city of the Pandavas.<br />
INDRAPUJA: This puja (Indra-worship)<br />
IRAVAN. A son born to Arjuna of the serpent damsel (Nagakanya) named Ulupi.<br />
<br />
J<br />
JABALI<br />
JAHNU. Gangas name Jhanavi comes from this sageF<br />
JAMADAGNI. A hermit of majestic power. He was the father of Parasurama.<br />
JAMBAVAN. A hero of extraordinary might. He was the minister of Sugriva.<br />
JANAKA.Father of Sita<br />
JANALOKA. One of the fourteen worlds.<br />
JANAMEJAYA I. A famous King of the Solar dynasty<br />
JARA. (Raksasi).<br />
JARASANDHA I. A terrible King of Magadha.<br />
JATAYU. A bird famous in the Puranas.<br />
JAYADRATHA 1. A mighty warrior King who ruled over the kingdom of Sindhu.<br />
JAYANTA . Son of Indra.<br />
JYOTISA(M). (Astronomy and astrology).<br />
<br />
K<br />
KABANDHA.<br />
KACA. The first son of Brhaspati. That extremely beautiful boy was a great favourite of the devas.<br />
KADRU. Wife of Kasyapa and daughter of Daksaprajapati.<br />
KAIKEIYI<br />
KAILASA<br />
KAITABHA.<br />
KAKA (CROW).<br />
KALA. Art. The sixtyfour arts<br />
KALA (YAMA). The god of Death.<br />
KALAMANA. (Calculating time<br />
KALI I. Incarnation of sin, the Sin-god.<br />
KALINDI (YAMUNA).<br />
KALINDIDVIPA. It was on this island that Vyasa was born<br />
KALINGA An ancient place in the south of Bharata.<br />
KALIYA.<br />
KALKI. The tenth avatara (incarnation) of Mahavisnu.<br />
K AMA Cupid<br />
KAMADHENU: (SURABHI-NANDINI).<br />
KAMSA . Son of Ugrasena, King of Mathura, and an incarnation of an Asura called Kalanemi.<br />
KANVA . (KASYAPA). Foster Father of shakuntalaKAPILA . A fierce sage.<br />
KARNA The eldest son of Kunti.<br />
KARTAV IRYARJUNA (KARTAV IRYA) . A renowned King of the Hehaya dynasty.<br />
KASYAPA . Chief among the Prajapatis.<br />
KAURAVA (S) .<br />
KAUSTUBHA.<br />
KHANDAVADAHA.<br />
KILI (PARROT).<br />
KIMPURUSA.<br />
KISKINDHA. An ancient kingdom of the monkeys in South India<br />
KRPA (KRPACARYA).<br />
KRPI.<br />
SRI KRSNA. Born in the Yadava dynasty as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki,<br />
KRTAVARMA. A King of the Vrsni dynasty.<br />
KSETRA (S). Sacred spots.<br />
KSIRASAGARA. Sea of Milk<br />
KUBERA.<br />
KUMBHAKARNA.<br />
KUNTI (PRTHA). Wife of King Pandu and the mother of the Pandavas,<br />
KUNTIBHOJA.<br />
KURU<br />
KURUKSETRA.<br />
KUSA Il. One of the two sons of Sri Rama, the other, being Lava.<br />
<br />
L<br />
Lakshman Son born to Dagaratha of Sumitra<br />
LAKSMI I. Consort of Mahavisnu.<br />
LANKA. The kingdom of Ravana.<br />
LOKA.<br />
LOMAPADA (ROMAPADA). A King of the country of Anga.<br />
LOMASA I (ROMASA) I. A sage, who was a great story-.teller.<br />
<br />
M<br />
MAGHA . One of the twentyseven constellations.<br />
MAHAMERU. The golden coloured peak of Himavan. The seat of Lord diva, according to the Puranas.<br />
MAHISA. An Asura.<br />
MAINAKA<br />
MAITREYA. A sage of great brilliance of ancient India.<br />
MANDODARI Wife of Ravana.<br />
MANGALA. A deity in the form of Kuja or Planet Mars.<br />
Markendaya<br />
Maya Danava<br />
<br />
N<br />
NAGALOKA.<br />
NAGARA. In ancient days there were rules and principles regulating the construction of a city.<br />
NAGASTRA. A destructive weapon (arrow<br />
NAHUSA I. A famous King of the Lunar dynasty.<br />
NAKSATRAYOGA. It is ordained in the Puranas that alms-giving on each star or day will be rewarded by particular<br />
attainments. This is called Naksatrayoga.<br />
NAKULA.<br />
NALA Nala the King of Nisadha<br />
NALAKUBARA. A son of Vaisravana. He had a brother called Manigriva.<br />
NANDAGOPA. Foster-father of Sri Krsna.<br />
NARA A hermit of divine power.<br />
NARADA. A very famous sage of the Puranas.<br />
NARAKA (NARAKASURA). A valiant Asura.<br />
NARAYANA. One of the two Rsis famous as Naranarayanas.<br />
NIMI A famous emperor who was the son of Ik svaku,<br />
<br />
P<br />
PANCABHUTA. Prthvi (earth), Ap (water), Tejas (fire), Vayu (air) and Akasa (ether)<br />
PANCALI. Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas.<br />
PANDAVAS.<br />
PANDU . Father of the Pandavas.<br />
PARASARA<br />
PARASARAMA<br />
PARVATI. Wife of Siva.<br />
PASUPATA. . The missile of Siva.<br />
PATALA. The last of the seven regions or worlds under the earth<br />
PATTU (TEN).<br />
PRACETAS.<br />
PRADYUMNA.<br />
PRAHLADA .<br />
PRITHU . A King of great virtue part of Vishnu born in the line of Dhruva.<br />
PULASTYA. One of the Prajapatis.<br />
PURU A celebrated king of Candravamsa.<br />
PURURAVAS. A prominent king of the (lunar race).<br />
PUSKARA .<br />
PUSPAKA . A divine Aerial Chariot.<br />
<br />
R<br />
RADHA Sri. Krsna's dearest consort.<br />
RAGHU.<br />
RAHU. An Asura.<br />
RAJA (N) . All the important Puranas have laid special emphasis on the importance of rules for Kings.<br />
RAJANITI. (Politics and administration).<br />
RAKSASA Bhutalords<br />
RAKTABIJA. Blood demon<br />
RAMA (SRI RAMA). The seventh incarnation of Mahavisnu, a very powerful king of the solar dynasty.<br />
RAMAYANA.<br />
RANTIDEVA. The Kindest and the most liberal of the Kings in ancient India.<br />
RATI Wife of Kamadeva<br />
RAVANA. The Raksasa King of Lanka who had ten heads.<br />
RBHUS.Rbhus are a group of divine beings who attained divinity by performing tapas<br />
RSABHA A muni (sage) who was the grandson of King Agnidhra.<br />
RUKMI<br />
RUKMINI. The chief queen of Sri Krsna.<br />
<br />
S<br />
SABARI. A woman of the tribe of forest-dwellers. Sri Rama, during his life in the forest, gave her salvation.<br />
SACI. Daughter of Puloma and wife of Indr a.<br />
SAGARA. A king of the solar dynasty, Sagara ruled Ayodhya.<br />
SAHADEVA<br />
SAIVACAPA. Siva's bow. It was made by Visvakarma.<br />
SAKUNA.(OMENS).<br />
SAKUNI<br />
SAKUNTALA. Foster-daughter of sage Kanva.<br />
SALAGRAMA. A stone emblem of Visnu.<br />
SALVA<br />
SALYA.<br />
SAMBA . The son born to Sri Krsna by his wife jambavati.<br />
Sibi<br />
Siva<br />
Sveta<br />
Shikandi<br />
Satyaki<br />
<br />
T<br />
<br />
TAKSAKA I. A fierce serpent.<br />
TAPATI. A daughter of Surya.<br />
TATAKA. A fierce demoness.<br />
TEJOVATI. The capital city of Agni.).<br />
TILOTTAMA. A prominent celestial maiden.<br />
TRIGARTA. A powerful kingdom of ancient Bharata.<br />
TRIPURA. A phantom city built by Maya.<br />
TULASI. (Holy Basil plant.<br />
TUMBITRU 1. A Deva Gandharva. He was the best musician among the Gandharvas.<br />
<br />
U<br />
UCCAISSRAVAS<br />
UDDHAVA.<br />
UGRASENA . King Ugrasena, father of Kamsa:<br />
ULUKA. The son of sakuni.<br />
ULUTPI. Wife of Arjuna.<br />
URAGA. A class of serpents.<br />
URVASI I. A famous celestial damsel.<br />
USA . The daughter of Banasura and the wife of Aniruddha.<br />
UTTANKA<br />
UTTARA . The son of King Virata of Matsya<br />
UTTARA Daughter of Virata, the King of Matsya.<br />
<br />
V<br />
VAIKUNTHA . The trancendental dwelling place of Mahavisnu.<br />
VAISAMPAYANA.<br />
VAJRAYUDHA (Thunderbolt). The famous weapon of Indra.<br />
VALMIKI . A hermit who was the first among poets and the author of Ramayana.<br />
VAMANA I. An incarnation of Mahavisru.<br />
VARAHA. (Boar). One of the ten incarnations of Mahavisnuu<br />
VARUNA . One of the eight guardians of the quarters. God of the ocean<br />
VASISTHA. A hermit who was the son of Brahma<br />
VASUDEVA. Father of Sri Krsna.<br />
VASUKI. One of the famous Nagas (serpents).<br />
VASUKITIRTHA. A holy place situated on the banks of the Ganga in Prayaga.<br />
VAYU - One of the eight guardians of the world. (God of Prana).<br />
VENA . An ancient King who was notorious for his bad rule.<br />
VIBHISANA . Brother of Ravana.<br />
VIDURA .<br />
VIKARNA I. One of the hundred sons of Dhrtarastra.<br />
VIKRAMADITYA. Vikramaditya, who is believed to be one of the mighty emperors of Bharata,<br />
VINDA. A prince of Avanti. It is stated that this Vinda had a brother called Anuvinda. The information obtained about<br />
Vinda from Mahabharata is given below<br />
Vishnu<br />
Vishvamrita<br />
Y<br />
YADU . The founder of Yadava<br />
YAJIVAVALKYA. scholar.<br />
YAKSA.<br />
YAYATI. An eminent king of the Lunar dynasty.<br />
YUDDHA (WAR). In ancient times in India war was considered a "Rajadharma". A war declared under this law was<br />
known as "Dharmayuddha"<br />
YUYUTSU<br />
</div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-7454588215634901462012-05-03T10:26:00.002-07:002012-05-03T10:26:25.691-07:00Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have spent the past 2 months acquiring and reading the Puranas.<br />
<br />
I have obtained<br />
<br />
Ramayana (sankrit with english translation)<br />
Garuda Purana 3 vol<br />
Varaha Purana 2 vol <br />
Bhrama vivarvata purana 2 vol<br />
Vishnu Purana 1 vol<br />
Narasimha purana 1 vol (Sanksrit with english translation) <br />Markendaya Purana <br />Garga samhita <br />
Shalpa Shastra<br />
Vayu Purana<br />
Linga Purana<br />
Bramha Purana<br />
Brahmanda Purana<br />
Kurma Purana<br />
Matsya Purana<br />
Padma Purana<br />
Hari Vamsa Purana<br />
Narada Purana<br />
and Puranic Encyclopedia <br />
<br />
and of course Mahabharata which I already have<br />
<br />
I still am looking forward to the Skanda and Agni Purana<br />
<br />
I have been making a character list and getting info on the characters I am using
for The Illustrated guide to the vedic universe 270 characters and 30
locations (more to come) and at least 80 animals plants and
miscellaneous things like swords and bows and customs like the different
marriages and swayambaras. Just working off of Mahabharata, and
Ramayana have gotten over 800 pages down. watch out purranic
encyclopedia.<br />
<br />
I will post a list of the characters soon<br />
<br />
We will be relaunching our Fundraiser for The Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universe this summer Hopefully this year we can be successful. </div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-66706683993396393172011-08-07T06:09:00.001-07:002011-08-07T06:09:12.481-07:00The Next step to success<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="body"><div class="template" data-href="http://www.vedicuniverse.org/templates/yoo_nano/warp/systems/joomla.1.6/layouts/images/home_warp_teaser.jpg"><img src="http://www.vedicuniverse.org/templates/yoo_nano/warp/systems/joomla.1.6/layouts/images/home_warp_teaser.jpg" /></div>Dear friends,<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for your support, encouragement and inspiration!<br />
<br />
As our time for this Kickstarter campaign is nearly complete, we've decided to continue our efforts along with you from our own site <a href="http://www.vedicuniverse.org/" target="_blank">http://www.vedicuniverse.org</a><br />
<br />
We've devised a way to produce The Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universe in phases, which combined will form the complete work as originally intended!<br />
These smaller phase books will be more affordable and expedient to produce and will be fun and intriguing all on their own!<br />
We'll be beginning with <a href="http://www.vedicuniverse.org/" target="_blank">The Illustrated Guide to the Bhagavad-Gita</a>, detailing the many characters throughout that great classic, many famous heros and saintly kings, and some most readers have known no more than by a passing name.<br />
<br />
The pledges you've made on Kickstarter will not be charged, but if you would like to see this project happen, you can quickly and easily continue your support and receive your gifts by clicking <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=A-nz20_vkTQIG3NZ9ms855XsCwOrmsvuJYl2hHp-P74ao0Zgcp_BO5gRHdq&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d1e83f46a36995b3856cef1e18897ad75" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Thank you again for all the love and blessings you've given. We are deeply moved by this great opportunity to serve.<br />
<br />
Sincerely<br />
your servants<br />
Rasikananda Das<br />
Jagannatha Das</div></div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-58489458740339837912011-08-07T06:07:00.001-07:002011-08-07T06:07:51.094-07:00Article about our book on ISKCON NEWS website<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h2><span>New Illustrated Guide Promises Detailed Look at The Vedic Universe</span></h2><div align="right" id="print-icons-top"> <a class="print-link" href="http://news.iskcon.com/node/3819#comment-form" id="comment-top" title="Post a Comment"><img alt="Post a Comment" border="0" class="print-icons" height="16" src="http://news.iskcon.com/sites/all/themes/iskconnews/images/icons/comment.gif" width="16" /></a> <a class="print-link" href="http://news.iskcon.com/printmail/3819" rel="nofollow" title="Send this page by e-mail."><img alt="Send to friend" class="print-icons" height="16" src="http://news.iskcon.com/sites/all/themes/iskconnews/images/icons/mail.gif" width="16" /></a> <a class="print-link" href="http://news.iskcon.com/print/3819" rel="nofollow" title="Display a printer-friendly version of this page."><img alt="Printer-friendly version" border="0" class="print-icons" height="16" src="http://news.iskcon.com/sites/all/themes/iskconnews/images/icons/print.gif" width="16" /></a> <a class="print-link" href="http://news.iskcon.com/printpdf/3819" rel="nofollow" title="Download a PDF version of this page."><img alt="Download a PDF version of this page." border="0" class="print-icons" height="16" src="http://news.iskcon.com/sites/all/themes/iskconnews/images/icons/pdf.gif" width="16" /></a> </div><div id="contributor-teaser"> By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON News on 6 Aug 2011</div><div class="photo-full" style="float: Left; width: 278px;"> <img alt="" class="imagefield imagefield-field_photo" height="202" src="http://news.iskcon.com/files/photos/Vedic%20Univ%20A.jpg" title="" width="268" /><div class="photo-caption">The book`s cover</div></div>Two second generation ISKCON devotees—Rasikananda Fitch and Jagannath Cassidy—are following in the footsteps of their parents and engaging their friends to create brand new devotional art for a modern age.<br />
They’ve begun work on a fascinating series of books entitled The Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universe, which will be presented in a similar format to existing popular guides on the Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter universes, with a twist—the world portrayed in their books will be real.<br />
And that’s not the only unique angle. The series is intended as the framework for all the pop media dream projects that gurukulis and devotees all over the world hope to either see or create themselves.<br />
“To make a major production, you need to have source material to work from,” explains Rasikananda. “You need to know the scripturally accurate physical descriptions of your characters, information about what they wear and where they live, etc. So we decided to do the research which will enable ourselves and others to realize our dream projects, and put it in a series of books. They will be the spin-off point for anyone who wants to see a Mahabharata movie, or a Ramayan video game, or a Broadway Bhagavad-Gita, or cool children’s toys of famous figures like Krishna, Arjuna, and Bhima.”<br />
In fact, it was Rasikananda and Jagannath’s own work on such an exciting project, that led them to the decision to create The Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universe. <br />
Inspired by his parents’ sculpture work at the ISKCON Los Angeles FATE museum, and a self-taught 3D animator at sixteen, Rasikananda received a call in 2005 inviting him to Ujjain, India, to work on a Mahabharata video-game concept funded by ISKCON guru Bhakti Charu Swami.<br />
There, Rasikananda met Jagannatha, who was working as a research consultant on the project. <br />
“We worked for one year developing the spiritual epic for the X-Box, PlayStation 2, and PC, and received interest from companies like Microsoft Games, Atari, and Capcom,” says Rasikananda. “But eventually the project was put on hold when our main investor decided to go with a company that had an existing track record instead. So I decided that the best way to go was to start with something small, such as this series of books, and build up. Then, by the time I was ready to start a major project again, I’d have excellent source material for it as well as a strong portfolio.”<br />
In 2007, Rasikananda began collaborating on the Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universe book series with Jagannath, who had garnered somewhat of a reputation for himself as a scholar of the Mahabharata. Jagannath had also already done around a thousand hours worth of research on the epic while working on his video game project.<br />
<div><img border="0" src="http://news.iskcon.com/files/photos/11Aug5/VU1.jpg" /></div><em>Concept art by Dridha Vrata Dasa of the Pandava warrior Arjuna, according to the traditional Shilpa Sastra proportions</em><br />
“I studied several versions of the Mahabharata in depth, beginning with Krishna Dharma’s edition, and going on to Kisari Mohan Ganguli’s, and then M.N. Dutt’s, which includes the authoritative Sanskrit verses as well as the English,” he says. “Finally, I studied the Vaishnava saint Madhavacharya’s 2,000 verse commentary the Mahabharata-Tatparya-Nirnaya, which the Mahabharata’s author Veda-Vyasa personally asked him to write.”<br />
The result—The Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universe will be packed with plenty of fascinating information many haven’t heard before. <br />
The work will be divided into four sections, beginning with Places. “All the key locations in the Vedic Universe, such as Indra’s capital Amaravati, Brahma’s planet Brahmaloka, and the heavenly Nanda-nandana Gardens in the planet Svarga will be included in alphabetical order, so they’re easy to find,” Jagannath says. “There’ll be three to five pages giving you every detail you need to know about the place in question—such as what it looks like, what kind of architecture it has, who lives there, what the inhabitants look like, and how long they live.”<br />
<div><img border="0" src="http://news.iskcon.com/files/photos/11Aug5/VU2.jpg" /></div><em>Concept art by Dridha Vrata Dasa of the Pandava warrior Arjuna, according to the traditional Shilpa Sastra proportions</em><br />
The second section of the work will discuss the different species of the Vedic Universe, such as Kinaras, Kimpurushas, Rakshasas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Manushas.<br />
The third section will feature hundreds of prime characters from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas, with juicy yet scripturally accurate details about each one.<br />
Bhima, the might Pandava hero from the Mahabharata, for instance, is described as wearing black and gold armor, a red and yellow sash, and a half black and half white dhoti. <br />
“He had a huge sword that was fifteen finger-widths wide, which looked like a spinning wheel when he swung it around,” says Jagannath. “And on the end of his signature weapon, the mace, he had a silk rope. This enabled him to swing the mace around like a whirlwind, throw it, destroy a chariot or elephant, and then pull it back by yanking on the rope!”<br />
The fourth and last section of the work will cover the many named items, plants, or otherworldly animals mentioned in the Vedic scriptures. There’s the Shyamantaka jewel, which protected the land it rested in from natural disasters, and gave its owner 1.5 tons of gold every day. There’s Arjuna’s bow, the mighty Gandiva, which had a string that would regrow whenever it was cut. And there’s the sacred Tulasi plant, a form of one of Krishna’s greatest devotees.<br />
“There’s also the sacred cow Kamadhenu, who appeared from the ocean of milk when the demigods and demons churned it millennia ago,” says Rasikananda. “In the Shanti-Parva of the Mahabharata, she’s described as sometimes taking on an anthropomorphic form, with a human head, a cow’s body, a peacock’s tail, and the wings of a parrot.”<br />
The Kamadhenu, it is said, was stolen from her owner Vasistha Muni by the Mahabharata warrior Bhishma, in a previous life as one of the heavenly Vasus. As punishment for this, Vasistha cursed the Vasu to take birth on earth and be killed by his wife, on whose request he had stolen Kamadhenu. Thus the Vasu’s wife became Amba, who was slighted by Bhisma and brought about his death.<br />
<div><img border="0" src="http://news.iskcon.com/files/photos/11Aug5/VU3.jpg" /></div><em>Art by Dridha Vrata Dasa depicting the sacred Kamadhenu, an anthropomorphic creature described in the Mahabharata.</em><br />
Rasikananda and Jagannath expect The Illustrated Guide of the Vedic Universe to appear as a series of separate volumes, the first dealing with the places, species, items and especially characters described in the Bhagavad-gita. <br />
“We hope it will give people who read the Bhagavad-gita a better understanding of the context,” Jagannath says. “They’ll know who everybody is, what their history is, what their relationships are, what they looked like, where they served, and where they fought. For instance, the beginning of the Bhagavad-gita mentions Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas. Most people don’t know who they are, and probably don’t give them a second thought.”<br />
But they were important characters, Jagannath explains. “They were cousins of Drupada, the Panchala king whose daughter Draupadi married Arjuna,” he says.<br />
“They liked Arjuna a lot, and would visit him and his brothers regularly in their kingdom of Indraprastha. They were tough, powerful warriors, and served in the battle of Kurukshetra as Arjuna’s wheel-guards. Every Maharathi general had warriors like this protecting the wheels of his chariot.” <br />
Every one of the characters featured in the Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universe will be accompanied by side, front and perspective drawings showing their likeness according to traditional Shilpa-Sastra proportions. Still-existing locations, such as Kurukshetra and the castle at the Kingdom of Virat, where the Pandavas stayed in hiding, will be illustrated with photos.<br />
Meanwhile some characters and species will be further illustrated with historical paintings or photos of sculptures located in ancient Indian temples, to add authenticity. Finally, in-house artists will render full-color paintings showing the events of the stories.<br />
Rasikananda and Jagannath are already working on concept artwork with second generation artist Dridha Vrata, who studied traditional iconography, iconometry and painting according to the Shilpa Shastras in Mahabalipuram, South India. They also hope to work with BBT artists trained by Srila Prabhupada in the future.<br />
“As well as being an attractive, informative resource, it’s also very important to us that The Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universe is extremely accurate and authoritative, and can be used in schools, universities, libraries and museums as a reference book,” says Rasikananda. “So all the information in it will be annotated and referenced, so that you can see where we got it from, and check the original work yourself.”<br />
Rasikananda and Jagannath hope to release the first volume of The Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universe, focused on the Bhagavad-gita, by fall 2012. The book, which they are funding by themselves and with donations, is expected to come in at around 200 pages, and will be coffe-table sized at around 16” x 10”.<br />
“There’s been a bit of a devotional art drought since the 1980s, and this project is about us gurukulis stepping up and continuing the tradition that our parents started,” Rasikananda says. “Our spiritual guides and the rest of the devotee community have encouraged us to do so, and in turn, we encourage others to use our books as a framework, and launch their own dream projects.”<br />
<em>To find out more about The Illustrated Guide to the Vedic Universe, or to donate, please visit</em> <a href="http://vedicuniverse.org/" title="http://vedicuniverse.org/">http://vedicuniverse.org/</a><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
Read more: <a href="http://news.iskcon.com/node/3819#ixzz1ULdk7Tcr" style="color: #003399;">http://news.iskcon.com/node/3819#ixzz1ULdk7Tcr</a></div></div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-65547391435002068252011-07-26T17:28:00.000-07:002011-07-26T17:28:40.946-07:00New Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We have placed a sample of our work on Kickstarter so please look<br />
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http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/142439212/the-illustrated-guide-to-the-vedic-universe/posts <br />
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</div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-11104239115479232082011-07-19T12:55:00.000-07:002011-07-19T12:55:09.113-07:00Bhima and Narayan AstraDronacarya was killed on the battlefield on the 15th day. Dhristadyumna jumped on the chariot, grabbed him by the dreadlocks and cut his head right off. He grabbed his severed head by the thick dreadlocks spun it around and slam-dunked it right there on the ground of the battlefield. When Dhristadyumna did that to Drona who was so strong, all the Kurus who saw it ran. They just started running for there lives.<br />
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Aswathama started walking towards Duryodhana because he wanted to know what had happend. He wanted to know why everyone was running because his father was the general and if everyone was running than that meant that something bad had happend. When he met Duryodhana, Duryodhana couldnt even look him in the eye.<br />
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Now I have to explain something about Aswathama. He was very vicious. He was very tall. He was tall like Bhima tall. Very thick bodied. He was a Brahmin but he was like a bull. They said in three ways he was like a bull: His deep voice, His tread, and his neck. He wore red because he was a Brahmachari which was what Bhramacharis wore at that time. He covered his body with red sandal paste, had three tilak lines of red on his forehead and massive dreadlocks on his head. His eyes glowed from his potency. People didn't even want his shadow to touch them.<br />
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So this grim figure was standing there before Duryodhana and demanded “What happend.” The great king of Hastinipura could not even look at him so he said “Kripacarya, you tell him.” So Kripacarya was his uncle because Drona had married Kripi who was the sister of Kripa. Kripa said, “They tricked Drona, they told him that you were killed, so he decided to quit the battle and seeing your father in that depressed state Dhristadyumna leapt upon his chariot and cut his head off, so now the whole army has run away."<br />
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Aswathama started roaring and the whole fleeing army stopped because his roar was so loud. He jumped off his chariot and started pounding his feet on the ground. He started leaping and dancing like a mad man roaring louder and louder like a lion. All the warriors immediatly stopped running because they realized that here is this great hero who has so much mystic power and who has been enraged by the death of his father.<br />
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Raising his bow and standing before the assembled heroes Aswathama spoke with a voice like thunder, “My father has given me a very special weapon in case of emergency called the Narayanastra and this weapon has the potency as Narayan. If I unleash this upon the enemy then they are all destroyed.” To a chorus of raised cheers Aswathama chanted the mantras for the weapon and unleashed it at the Pandavas.<br />
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All of a sudden big black clouds formed on the battlefield which began raining hot coals and severe winds began to swirl. A giant wave of fire formed on the horizon which sped at the Pandava host like a giant tsunami of fiery doom.<br />
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All the generals came before Krishna and asked him what had happened.<br />
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Krishna said “Aswathama has used the Narayanastra which will certainly kill us all. However I know a secret to this weapon which will nullify it. We must all cast aside our weapons and armor and lay on the ground prone. In this way the weapon will pass right over us.”<br />
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The whole army began to dismount and discard their arms and armor. However one person stood firm at the head of the army dressed for war; Bhima.<br />
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Bhima stood at the head of the army with his club on his shoulder.<br />
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Arjuna came forward and said “Hey! Hey Bhima get down! Take off your armor and throw down your club!”<br />
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Bhima looked out across the battlefield at this tidal wave of flaming weapons and then looked back at Arjuna and said. “Look, I will tell you three reasons I am not going to do that. The first is that this weapon is called Narayanastra and it has the same potency as Narayana. So I am not worried because if it kills me I will get moksa. The second reason is that Krishna is my friend. Here is Krishna.” He pointed to Krishna who was broadly grinning the whole time. “In case you did not know, he is all powerful and the cause of all causes. So I have no fear because he is my friend and he will not let me be hurt.” He had such firm faith. “The main concern is, you see Duryodhana is standing over there and I’ll be damned if I am going to lay down on the ground like some coward in front of him. So younger brother I am afraid I cannot do that.”<br />
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So this terrible weapon started speeding at him. This tsunami of flaming weapons came racing at Bhima, its total power concentrated on him alone. And he is just staring it down with the club on his shoulder and his arms crossed. His total faith that no harm would come to him. The flames started to singe his eyebrows and he snorted "Hummf" then all of a sudden it was gone!<br />
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You see the thing is, his faith in the protection of Supreme Lord was so strong that it couldn’t touch him.<br />
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Anyone who hears this story will also gain complete faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna.happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-3862687310592377332011-07-18T19:46:00.000-07:002011-07-18T19:46:16.860-07:00Swayambara of DrupadiThe Pandavas had been staying in Ekachara were they killed Bakasura and they decided they wanted to leave and started traveling around and met bhramins. They sat with them around there evening fires and they started talking. The Bhramins were all talking about the latest event they could go. The king of Panchala was going to marry his daughter away and he called all the kings in attendance. He built giant marble guest houses for all the kings. He also built a giant arena so people can test there skill. He will be giving profuse charity throughout the day to all brahmins. Giving charity giving cows giving gold, all these things. Everyone talked as this being the place they needed to go,the mood was kind of like how these days there is some big deity installation or 24 hour kirtan or rathyatra.<br />
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The Pandavas began to inquire since they were not aware of Drupada having a daughter<br />
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The assembled priests explained that Drupada had a sacrafice because he had wanted a daughter who would marry Arjuna so he could obtain the Pandavas as allies. He also wanted a son who could kill Drona. Hearing this Pandavas all looked at each other in surprise. one sage continued. " However now since the Pandavas have been killed in the house of lack he holds a swayambara with a test which only a hero who is the equal of Arjuna could win."<br />
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Arjuna spoke up and said. "yes we will go with you to this swayambara."<br />
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They traveled to Panchala to a great arena which was always packed with people. For many days there was different entertainment while they waited for all the participants to arrive. Wrestlers mimes and dancers.In the center of the arena was placed a bow and arrows. There was a spinning target which was placed above a pool of water. Santoor and flute played to calm down the crowd and Dristadyumna entered the arena and spoke to the crowd. Whoever can lift and string that bow and hit the target may have Drupadi as his wife. All the kings sat on thrones which were placed along the edge of the arena. In the sky the demigods crowded the sky with there airplanes to see the event. Drupadi entered the arena carrying a gold plate with a flower garland of roses. All kings had herd of her beauty but the words could not come close. There was one ancient king named Bhagadatta ( not the same as the son of Narakasura king of progjotish) and he was a great great grandfather. He was so old that the only way he could keep his eyes open was attaching the eyelashes to the eyebrow with bowstring. He had come to see how his great grandchildren would do in the contest, and when he saw Drupadi he picked up his bow and entered the arena.<br />
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All the kings became agitated and began bragging and saying. "She is mine." "You are all weak and I will win her." and other such words<br />
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All the great kings from all over the world had come to win the hand of Drupadi and many could not even lift the bow. Still others could lift the bow but could not string it and of those who could string it none could hit the target. Karna, Duryodhana, and others attempted to hit the target but missed. This is the version given by the Acharya and not the Karna Fan boy sympathy cult. Krishna and Balaram were present and they comanded the Yadus not to participate since they new the Pandavas were there and they wanted them to win.<br />
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When none of the kings had hit the Target Arjuna dressed as a Bhramin adressed Dristadyumna and asked if he could try.<br />
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Dhristadyumna said "It does not matter the cast. he that strings this bow and hits the target be he a Bhramin, Shudra, Vaisya or other he may win her hand." (-;<br />
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Arjuna stood up and walked before the crowd. Some Bhramins tried to stop him and they thought that he would make a fool of their cast. Others could tell that he was very powerful since he had the power of the God of Thunder and convinced the others to let him go.<br />
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Arjuna walked to the great Alter and raised the bow with one hand. All the crowd was amazed. He then strung the bow and placed an arrow on it in the blink on an eye.<br />
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Arjuna walked to the Target and before anyone knew what was happening the target was hit.<br />
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He walked before Drupadi and stared into her eyes. She looked down very shyly and she placed the garland around his neck.<br />
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All the kings were outraged and they said that Arjuna was not fit to marry her since he was simple Bhramin and a princess needed a man of more worth.They said that Drupada had offended them and they planned to punish him and kill this upstart Bhramin so that things like this would not happen in the future. (Most Swayambara would end up in a fight even ones with certain events. It was a way of making sure only the strong would get to have children.)<br />
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The kings Gathered and Arjuna stood to face them. Yudhistera Nakula and Sahadeva escorted Drupadi from the scene while Arjuna stared down the assembled kings. At this point the Bhramins lifted there dandas and water pots and stood next to Arjuna. The Kings looked at each other and laughed.<br />
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All at once a huge black shadow descended upon the arena which grew smaller and smaller and then the kings beheld bhima landing on the grounds of the arena a huge salla tree in his arms. Then ripped off all the branches and tossed them about like a child taking the pedals off a flower. Standing next to Arjuna he gripped the tree as if it was some giant mace his stern face and fire like eye glaring at his foe. All the kings stood back save Shallya king of Madra who was a mighty man himself with arms like wale bone and steel cable. Bhima charged with the Giant tree like some hideous rod of death. Shallya stood arms crossed and a slight mocking grin on his face. All the other kings fled and jumped back when bhima swung the tree crashing it into Shallya. A giant dust cloud was raised and when it cleared Shallya stood with his arms still crossed and the tree splintered.<br />
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Bhima and Shallya then began to wrestle like two giant bull elephants in rut.<br />
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Drupada ordered a large stock of arrows be supplied to Arjuna and he began a great duel with Karna. They fired arrows across the arena breaking each-others arrows and causing huge piles of broken arrows to fill the arena. They both shot at the speed of mind and none could mark any time from when they reached for their quiver and when they strung the bow and fired. It was all I a great blur. The arrows sped out of their bows hissing fire caused by the friction of the air.<br />
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At this time Sri Krishna stepped in and began to lecture the kings. I find it significant that he waited for the Pandavas to show their prowess some before he did this. It was the Ksatria Dharma to fight at Swayambara and he allowed them to do that since he is the upholder of Dharma.<br />
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Krishna told the kings that their was no shame in a Bhramin winning the contest since they were of higher cast. He made many other philosophical points along these lines. The kings agreed since they felt that these two priests must be gods or some other beings in disguise.<br />
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With that The kings gave there ascent Arjuna was declared victor and he and Bhima walked out of the arena to catch up with Yudhistera and Drupadihappy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-37403214072372238812011-07-18T19:42:00.000-07:002011-07-18T19:42:01.812-07:00Mighty Jarasanda (Dictation of storys I tell)Yudhistera sat within his throne room; dressed in a ruby red cloth, a bright golden crown atop his head. He was surrounded by 20 armed guards dressed in the same color of clothing. His mood was grim and this was nothing anybody wanted to see. (especially since his father was yamaraj) He bent over in his throne his hand on his chin his eyes slits of bale-fire. He was deeply contemplating how he might preform the rajasurya yajna. His father Pandu sent Narada risi to ask him to preform it. He hardly ate, or slept. Music did not pacify him and he smiled such a smile as if to mock all those who ever did compel him thus. <br />
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He was the thinker and visionary of the group. he scanned the room and looked at his brothers.<br />
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First Bhima. How could you miss him? He sat like a giant mountain on his golden throne. His bronze complesion and amber colored eyes contrasting his raven black hair and dark almost black blue clothing. Bhima was strong, firm like the earth. He was as dependable as sunrise and his loyalty was without question. He was also practical and managed all internal affairs within the kingdom.<br />
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Arjuna was flashy and as handsome and flirtatious as cupid and was also an unmatched general and could conjure up a strategy at the drop of a hat. He was the face of the empire and was sent on all missions to foreign kingdoms.<br />
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It was Yudhistera who was the visionary. The eldest but also it was he who they turned to when they needed a direction. Deep did his visions and contemplations go. To realms almost beyond mortal conception. But the Rajasurya yajna presented a unique challenge. That challenge came in the form of Jarasanda.<br />
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Jarasanda the despot, the tyrant, the mighty ruler of one of the largest armies in the world. How could he preform the Rajasurya with Jarasanda on the throne of Maghada? An open war might be declared and open conflict joined but his large army would overwhelm them. Bhima and Arjuna were mighty champions but he could not risk losing a single one of them.<br />
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Yudhistera turned to his last hope; Krishna. Krishna was the greatest political genius he had ever known. He was a master of policy and diplomacy and he always seemed to know what everyone was thinking before they even said it. His voice was deep yet soft and resonant and all those who herd it were almost hypnotized into doing whatever he asked.<br />
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Krishna entered the meeting hall, before all the assembled kings and in trumpet voice declared to yudhistera "You cannot preform the Rajasurya yajna without killing Jarasanda."<br />
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Krishna entered the assembly like a stately lion full of confidence, his large lotus pedal eyes glancing at the Pandava brothers.<br />
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Yudhistera dressed in ruby red his expression worn yet cheerful at seeing krishna spoke up. "Who Oh Lord is this Jarasanda and what is his power that he does not burn to ashes by opposing you?"<br />
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Krishna replied. "Once the king of Maghada Vrihadratha; who was very powerful yet had no son was visited by a wise and mighty sage named Chandakausika. The king served the sage like a menial servant and gratified him greatly. The sage asked if there was any benediction he desired and the king requested a son. A mango fell from the tree and the sage foretold that if the king gave to one of his wives she would bare him a son. The king not wanting to cause jealousy cut the mango in half and gave one half to each wife. As a result each wife gave birth to half a baby. The baby was thrown in the woods and a mighty witch named Jara put the two halves together. Thus his name is Jarasanda(put together by Jara) He recieved many benedictions by utilizing his wealth and power to always serve the Bhramins. His ambition is great and he desires to sacrifice 100 kings to shiva in a great yajna. With the power he thus acquires he would rule the entire world. After Kamsa was killed he whirled about a huge iron club and threw it through the sky 100 yojanas all the way to mathura. Oh king his army is mighty and had hamsa and dimvaka who were matchless warriors they have now been slain and the time has come to attack Jarasanda. If you know my heart and wish to please me, hand over to me Bhima and Arjuna as a pledge without loss of time!"<br />
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Yudhistera almost fainted and then stared at his brothers who both grinned from ear to ear. he swallowed hard and then said in a choked whisper. "Achuta, Achuta say not so. You are the lord of the Pandavas and you never attend to any whom laxmi has turned her back. If you say to me Jarasanda will be defeated then I can consider him slain and the Rajasurya complete, but how can I give up Bhima and Arjuna who are like my eyes and limbs?"<br />
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Arjuna gripping his gandiva bow and standing from his seat, dressed in black armor embossed in gold leaf with various patterns, his eyes large with enthusiasim now addressed Yudhishthira and said, "I have obtained, O king, a bow and divine weapons mystic energy and allies and dominions and fame and strength. Those are always difficult of acquisition, however much they may be desired. Learned men of repute always praise in good society nobleness of descent. But nothing is equal to might. Indeed, O monarch, there is nothing I like more than prowess. Born in a race noted for its valour, one that is without valour is scarcely worthy of regard. One, however, possessed of valour, that is born in a race not noted for it, is much superior to the former. He, O king, is a Kshatriya in every thing who increases his fame and possessions by the subjugation of his enemies. He that is possessed of valour, though destitute of all other merits, will vanquish his foes. One, however, that is destitute of valour, though possessed of every other merit, can scarcely accomplish anything! Every merit exists by the side of valour in an incipient state. Concentration of attention, exertion and destiny exist as the three causes of victory. One, however, that is possessed of valor does not yet deserve success if he acts carelessly. It is for this that an enemy endued with strength sometimes suffers death at the hands of his foes. As meanness overtakes the weak, so folly sometimes overtakes the strong. A king, therefore, that is desirous of victory, should avoid both these causes of destruction. If, for the purpose of our sacrifice, we endeavour to slay Jarasandha and rescue the kings kept by him for a cruel purpose, there is no higher act which we could employ ourselves in. If, however, we do not undertake the task, the world will always think us incompetent. We have certainly the competence, O king! Why should you, therefore, regard us as incompetent? So if we vanquish the foe, the imperial dignity will easily be ours. We shall, therefore fight the foe."<br />
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Krishna's eyes brightened and a large smile came across his face. he clapped his hands and gestured towards Arjuna saying " He is a worthy son of the Bharata dynasty and has indicated what the inclination should be of one that is born in the Bharata race, especially of one who is the son of Kunti. We know not when death will overtake us, in the night or in the day. Nor have we ever heard that immortality hath been achieved by desisting from anything This, therefore, is the duty of men, viz., to attack all enemies in accordance with the principles laid down in the Vedas. This always gives satisfaction to the heart. Aided by good policy, if not frustrated by Destiny, an undertaking becomes crowned with success. If both parties aided by such means encounter each other, one must obtain ascendency over the other, for both cannot win or lose. A battle. When such is the case, why should we not, aided by good policy, directly approach the foe; and destroy him, like the current of the river uprooting a tree? If, disguising our own faults, we attack the enemy taking advantage of his loopholes, why should we not succeed? Indeed, the policy of intelligent men, is that one should not fight openly with foes that are exceedingly powerful and are at the head of their well-arrayed forces. This too is my opinion. If, however, we accomplish our purpose secretly entering the abode of our foe and attacking his person, we shall never earn disgrace. That bull among men--Jarasandha--alone enjoys unfading glory. But I see his destruction before me. Desirous of protecting our relatives we will either slay him in battle or shall ascend to heaven being ourselves slain in the end by him."<br />
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Yudhistera thought deeply and said " What can Bhima and Arjuna not accomplish? However the wise have said that an army without a commander is useless. However without luck nothing may be accomplished. With Bhima we have strength, with Krishna wise policy and with Arjuna luck. With these three we shall certainly have victory<br />
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Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, the trio Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima, glowing with enthusiasm, set out for Magadha attired in the garb of Snataka Brahmanas. As they departed they were blessed by the agreeable speeches of friends and relatives. Possessed of superior energy and of bodies already like the Sun, Moon, and Fire, being inflamed with wrath remembering the pitiful situation of their relatives, those bodies of theirs became much more blazing. The people, beholding Krishna and Arjuna, both of whom had never before been vanquished in battle, with Bhima leading the way all united to achieve the same task, regarded Jarasandha as already slain.<br />
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With Bhima leading the way the three of them crossed the country between the Kurus and the empire of Maghada. They dressed in the red robes of snatakas or grown up Bhramacharis since this was unheard of in the ksatria class they were thought to be powerful brahmins.<br />
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When they arrived at the capitol of Jarasanda they beheld a great mountain which the people of the city would worship. The father of Jarasanda had killed a huge Racksasha and used its hide to make a large drum. The drum was so large that if you hit it once the sound lasted for 3 hours. At the dictates of Krishna; Bhima lifted the drum and cracked it on his knee.<br />
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Then Bhima and Krishna both grabbed the mountain and lifting it over there head threw the peak down into a valley smashing it into pebbles.This gesture was to spit in the eye of so to speak of Jarasanda.<br />
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The city of Jarasanda had many roads and high walls and towers and some roads were reserved for military personal and some gates only admitted military personal so that they could move in and out of the city without normal people getting in the way. The Trio came before the gate which was only for the military and the guard told them that they had to go. Krishna smiled and kept on walking.<br />
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The guard said. "Where is your permission"<br />
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Krishna pointed to the mighty Bhima who towered several feet above the guard. With his bull like neck he shook his lion like main of raven black hair. Then he focused his large amber predatory eyes into the guards and got a stern look on his face and clenched his firsts<br />
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"He is our permission. If you have a problem with that, well you can take it up with him."<br />
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The guard ran away and Krishna and Bhima each ripped off one of the mighty Iron gates<br />
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At this point Krishna led them through the streets and they came upon a market and took various items from the vendors without paying. This was all done because Jarasanda was there enemy and they had to follow this procedure in order to enter his city<br />
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They soon came to the pallace of Jarasanda and entered and he recieved them as Bhramins. They turned there backs to him and then krishna said. "We have taken a vow of silence till midnight then we will speak to you"<br />
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As midnight approached Jarasanda got word of all the activities of the three Snatakas. He puzzled at their might and bold deeds and wondered why they were so hostile towards his empire.<br />
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The mighty king entered there chambers and bowed before them. They all proclaimed with thunder like voices "May you soon attain liberation." When he stood he looked at them closely. One who seemed to be the spokesmen for the group was a very strange hue which seemed familiar and the others had broad muscular chests and necks as thick as tree trunks.<br />
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Jarassanda replied "You are welcome.... Please be seated."<br />
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The trio sat down on the ground and the way they sit looked like 3 resplendent gods sitting at some blazing sacrifice. They had large flower garlands and sandal paste smeared on there bodies and were adorned with many ornaments they had stolen from the street vendors in the city.<br />
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Jarasanada said. "I have never herd of those Bhramins who have taken the Snataka vow wearing garlands and sandal paste.Who are you who look like Gods and who have arms which are scarred with battle? I have herd that you have ripped up the great mountain and broken the drum and done many other feats. Tell me your purpose for truth is even a virtue of warriors."<br />
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Krishna said. "You should not be mistaken O king. Any of the Dvija classes may take Snataka vows and each class has its own rules and regulations for observing that vow. Further more the warrior class is known by its actions and not its words unlike the Bhramins and so therefore all can be revealed of our purpose with you by our actions. "<br />
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Jarasanda said. "I cannot recall ever causing you any harm so why do you treat me like a foe."<br />
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Krishna said. There is one noble person who your actions have offended and taking up his cause we have ventured to your city to challenge you. Have you not captured so many kings keeping them like animals for a sacrifice? Do you not recollect this wrong? Has it not occurred to you that you may have caused some offense by this action?<br />
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Jarasanda said. "I only enslave those who I have defeated in combat. There is only one rule in this world and that is might. I am the most mighty and therefore what I say is as good as religion. Non have challenged me and won.<br />
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Krishna said. " Those who are strong will always encounter one who is stronger. Do not become to proud of your heroism for one who can defeat you may be at your doorstep."<br />
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Jarasanda said."Either with armies or in single combat against one or even all three of you I shall not back down. Let us fight this instant."<br />
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Krishna said. "Then you should know that I am Vasudeva and this is Arjuna and this is Bhima. Pick who you would fight against"<br />
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Jarasanda said. "I should have known a coward like you Krishna would come in this dress. I will not fight you or Arjuna for you are not strong enough. The only one who will give me a challenge is Bhima."<br />
<br />
On the morning of the Day Bhima and Jarasanda faced each other in a simple arena outside the city. They both wore simple lower clothes which girdled there loins and fought bare chested and bare legged. They fought with there bare hands and elbows and knees and feet.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Fight started on the first day of the holy month of Kartik<br />
<br />
<br />
A huge crowd gathered from around the countryside and were so tightly packed that you could hardly distinguish between the people and they seemed like one large mass of flesh. Some to get a better vantage stood on the back of elephants some on the back of Chariots or horses and others on the shoulders of there friends.<br />
<br />
<br />
Bhima and Jarasanda fought so hard that even within the middle of the city there strikes could be herd above the general noise. When they hit each other it sounded like the splitting of rocks or the crash of lightning bolts.<br />
<br />
<br />
They fought that way man to man punching kicking and wrestling for a total of 15 days. Both of them were the foremost of mighty men and took delight in the battle. The fighting went on during the day and at night they would be hosted by Jarasanda who would feed them and arranged for there lodging. On the 15th Day (the day we celebrate Go-Puja or when Krishna lifted the mountain) seeing the sheer might of Jarasanda and wanting a quick end to the fight Krishna got the attention of Bhima by waving his hands and then split a leaf. Krishna and Bhima were so in tune that by this gesture a message was sent to Bhima which conveyed that Jarasanda was weak in the middle and that he should be split in half.<br />
<br />
<br />
Bhima grabbed Jarasanda and threw him down and then placing both his feet on one leg grabbed the other with his hand and with all his might and uttering a leonine roar which mixed with the death knell of Jarasanda, Mighty Bhima split Jarasanda down the middle and spilled his guts and internal organs all over the ground.<br />
<br />
<br />
This Deed was done before the Gaze of Sri Krishna and he was greatly pleased by this seva which Bhima had done. Mhadvacarya says that Krishna enjoys doing heroic feats but when his pure Bhaktas do great feats for his pleasure his enjoyment is even greaterhappy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-31663192599226653542011-07-09T12:06:00.000-07:002011-07-09T12:06:34.139-07:00New Cover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-XtsDYxdr5aT9FliQ7BWrdM5D4N19h4sMWFjI8vEB-r_s6Ix3anWtgfH7tDBPiK4uCDnYr-N3LO1bFLIdpmh5xg6cM_nOqkeIe5brzvtwAqPaBY95BrpS3HJA-TghB7CIJ-Pv7GRbKmf/s1600/TIGVU_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-XtsDYxdr5aT9FliQ7BWrdM5D4N19h4sMWFjI8vEB-r_s6Ix3anWtgfH7tDBPiK4uCDnYr-N3LO1bFLIdpmh5xg6cM_nOqkeIe5brzvtwAqPaBY95BrpS3HJA-TghB7CIJ-Pv7GRbKmf/s320/TIGVU_03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-73824207089876880472011-07-09T11:43:00.001-07:002011-07-09T11:43:47.700-07:00Editorial (how far down the rabbit hole do you want to go?)here is a constant flux of power between the gods and demons. They are always in conflict with each other similar to the cycle of day and night. It is actually a natural phenomenon which cannot, nor should not be stopped. This conflict between good and evil causes the revolution of time and events and the churning of history. <br />
<br />
The current war however is somewhat different than any in history and the demons plan to make a lasting effect with the current scheme.<br />
<br />
Since time immemorial the key has been the earth realm. The demons suffered a great deal as a result because the earth realm happens to be inhabited by humans.<br />
<br />
Humans are descendants of the gods themselves and as a result are inclined to worship them.<br />
<br />
When yajna (sacrifice/worship) is performed on the earth planet the Devas are empowered and able to keep the delicate balance of nature intact.<br />
<br />
When that is not allowed and Dharma is not followed then the demons gain more and more sway.<br />
<br />
Cows and priests are always the target because those two things are vital. The cow gives dung and ghee which are both used as fuel in sacred fire.<br />
<br />
Therefore demons endorse cow slaughter as a means to put an end to this. They also try their best to corrupt and disrupt the works of devotees.<br />
<br />
Hiranyakashipu and other demons have always thought that Vishnu was like the other Devas and if they could kill all the Vaishnavas they could weaken him to the point of killing Him.<br />
<br />
This is why he killed many Vaishnavas and would disturb sacrifice.<br />
<br />
Whatever force in this world which has an aim to destroy temples and the worship of Vishnu ultimately has its agenda being directed by demons.<br />
<br />
Other more vague concepts of "God" make no explicit attack, rather they attack by trying to corrupt the truth of Personalism.<br />
<br />
Here are some examples from Srimad Bhagavatam from the lips of Hiranyakasipu himself, spelling it out in black and white:<br />
<br />
SB 7.2.10<br />
<br />
While I am engaged in the business of killing Lord Vishnu, go down to the planet earth, which is flourishing due to brahminical culture and a kshatriya government. These people engage in austerity, sacrifice, Vedic study, regulative vows, and charity. Destroy all the people thus engaged!<br />
<br />
<br />
PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada:<br />
<br />
Hiranyakasipu's main purpose was to disturb the demigods. He planned first to kill Lord Vishnu so that with Lord Vishnu's death the demigods would automatically weaken and die.<br />
<br />
Another of his plans was to disturb the residents of the planet earth. The peace and prosperity of the residents of earth, and all the other planets, were maintained by the brahmanas and kshatriyas.<br />
<br />
The Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (4.13),<br />
catur-varnyam maya srishtam guna-karma-vibhagasah:<br />
<br />
"According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me."<br />
<br />
On all the planets there are different types of residents, but the Lord recommends, referring especially to the planet earth, which is inhabited by human beings, that society be divided into four varnas -- brahmana, kshatriya, vaisya and sudra.<br />
<br />
Before the advent of Lord Krishna on this earth, it is understood that the earth was managed by the brahmanas and kshatriyas.<br />
<br />
The duty of the brahmanas is to cultivate samah (peacefulness), damah (self-control), titiksha (tolerance), satyam (truthfulness), saucam (cleanliness) and arjavam (simplicity), and then to advise the kshatriya kings how to rule the country or planet.<br />
<br />
Following the instructions of the brahmanas, the kshatriyas should engage the populace in austerity, sacrifices, Vedic study and adherence to the rules and regulations established by Vedic principles.<br />
<br />
They should also arrange for charity to be given to the brahmanas, sannyasis and temples. This is the godly arrangement of brahminical culture.<br />
<br />
People are inclined to offer yajna because unless sacrifices are offered there will be insufficient rain (yajnad bhavati parjanyah [Bg. 3.14]), which will hamper agricultural activities (parjanyad anna-sambhavah).<br />
<br />
By introducing brahminical culture, therefore, a kshatriya government should engage people in performing yajna, studying the Vedas and giving charity.<br />
<br />
Thus the people will receive their necessities for life very easily, and there will be no disturbances in society.<br />
<br />
In this regard, Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita (3.12):<br />
<br />
ishtan bhogan hi vo deva<br />
dasyante yajna-bhavitah<br />
tair dattan apradayaibhyo<br />
yo bhunkte stena eva sah<br />
<br />
"In charge of the various necessities of life, the demigods, being satisfied by the performance of yajna [sacrifice], supply all necessities to man. But he who enjoys these gifts, without offering them to the demigods in return, is certainly a thief."<br />
<br />
The demigods are authorized supplying agents who act on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu. Therefore, they must be satisfied by the performance of prescribed yajnas.<br />
<br />
In the Vedas, there are different kinds of yajnas prescribed for different kinds of demigods, but all are ultimately offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.<br />
<br />
For one who cannot understand what the Personality of Godhead is, sacrifice to the demigods is recommended. According to the different material qualities of the persons concerned, different types of yajnas are recommended in the Vedas.<br />
<br />
Worship of different demigods is also on the same basis -- namely, according to different qualities. For example, the meat-eaters are recommended to worship the goddess Kali, the ghastly form of material nature, and before the goddess the sacrifice of animals is recommended.<br />
<br />
But for those in the mode of goodness, the transcendental worship of Vishnu is recommended. Ultimately, all yajnas are meant for gradual promotion to the transcendental position. For ordinary men, at least five yajnas, known as panca-mahayajna, are necessary.<br />
<br />
One should know, however, that all the necessities of life that human society requires are supplied by the demigod agents of the Lord. No one can manufacture anything.<br />
<br />
Consider, for example, all the eatables of human society. These eatables include grains, fruits, vegetables, milk and sugar for persons in the mode of goodness, and also eatables for the nonvegetarians, such as meats, none of which can be manufactured by men.<br />
<br />
Then again, take for example, heat, light, water and air, which are also necessities of life -- none of them can be manufactured by human society. Without the Supreme Lord, there can be no profuse sunlight, moonlight, rainfall or breeze, without which no one can live.<br />
<br />
Obviously, our life is dependent on supplies from the Lord. Even for our manufacturing enterprises, we require so many raw materials like metal, sulphur, mercury, manganese and so many essentials -- all of which are supplied by the agents of the Lord, with the purpose that we should make proper use of them to keep ourselves fit and healthy for the purpose of self-realization, leading to the ultimate goal of life, namely, liberation from the material struggle for existence.<br />
<br />
This aim of life is attained by performance of yajnas. If we forget the purpose of human life and simply take supplies from the agents of the Lord for sense gratification and become more and more entangled in material existence, which is not the purpose of creation, certainly we become thieves, and therefore we are punished by the laws of material nature.<br />
<br />
A society of thieves can never be happy, for they have no aim in life. The gross materialist thieves have no ultimate goal of life. They are simply directed to sense gratification; nor do they have knowledge of how to perform yajnas.<br />
<br />
Lord Caitanya, however, inaugurated the easiest performance of yajna, namely the sankirtana-yajna, which can be performed by anyone in the world who accepts the principles of Krishna consciousness.<br />
<br />
Hiranyakasipu planned to kill the inhabitants of earth so that yajna would stop and the demigods, being disturbed, would die automatically when Lord Vishnu, the yajnesvara, was killed. These were the demoniac plans of Hiranyakasipu, who was expert in such activities.<br />
<br />
SB 7.2.11 (Hiranyakasipu speaking)<br />
<br />
The basic principle of brahminical culture is to satisfy Lord Vishnu, the personification of sacrificial and ritualistic ceremonies. Lord Vishnu is the personified reservoir of all religious principles, and He is the shelter of all the demigods, the great pitas, and the people in general. When the brahmanas are killed, no one will exist to encourage the kshatriyas to perform yajnas, and thus the demigods, not being appeased by yajna, will automatically die.<br />
<br />
<br />
PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada:<br />
<br />
Since Vishnu is the central point of brahminical culture, Hiranyakasipu's plan was to kill Vishnu, for if Vishnu were killed, naturally the brahminical culture would also be lost.<br />
<br />
With brahminical culture lost, yajna would no longer be performed, and for want of yajna the regular distribution of rainfall would cease (yajnad bhavati parjanyah [Bg. 3.14]). Thus there would be disturbances all over the world, and naturally the demigods would be defeated.<br />
<br />
From this verse we get a clear indication of how human society is disturbed when the Vedic Aryan civilization is killed and the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies performed by the brahmanas are stopped.<br />
<br />
Kalau sudra-sambhavah: because the population of the modern world consists mostly of sudras, the brahminical culture is now lost and is extremely difficult to reestablish in a proper way.<br />
<br />
Therefore Lord Caitanya has recommended the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, which will revive brahminical culture very easily.<br />
<br />
harer nama harer nama<br />
harer namaiva kevalam<br />
kalau nasty eva nasty eva<br />
nasty eva gatir anyatha<br />
[CC Adi 17.21]<br />
<br />
Because of the increment in demoniac population, people have lost brahminical culture. Nor is there a kshatriya government. Instead, the government is a democracy in which any sudra can be voted into taking up the governmental reigns and capture the power to rule.<br />
<br />
Because of the poisonous effects of Kali-yuga, the sastra (Bhag. 12.2.13) says, dasyu-prayeshu rajasu: the government will adopt the policies of dasyus, or plunderers. Thus there will be no instructions from the brahmanas, and even if there are brahminical instructions, there will be no kshatriya rulers who can follow them.<br />
<br />
Aside from Satya-yuga, even formerly, in the days when demons were flourishing, Hiranyakasipu planned to destroy the brahminical culture and the kshatriya government and thus create chaos all over the world.<br />
<br />
Although in Satya-yuga this plan was very difficult to execute, in Kali-yuga, which is full of sudras and demons, the brahminical culture is lost and can be revived only by the chanting of the maha-mantra.<br />
<br />
Therefore the Krishna consciousness movement, or the Hare Krishna movement, has been inaugurated to revive brahminical culture very easily so that people may become happy and peaceful in this life and prepare for elevation in the next.<br />
<br />
In this regard, Srila Madhvacarya quotes this verse from the Brahmanda Purana:<br />
<br />
vipra-yajnadi-mulam tu<br />
harir ity asuram matam<br />
harir eva hi sarvasya<br />
mulam samyan mato nripa<br />
<br />
"O King, the demons think that Hari, Lord Vishnu, exists because of the brahmanas and yajna, but factually Hari is the cause of everything including the brahmanas and yajna."<br />
<br />
Therefore, through the popularizing of hari-kirtana, or the sankirtana movement, the brahminical culture and kshatriya government will automatically come back, and people will be extremely happy<br />
<br />
SB 7.2.12<br />
<br />
TRANSLATION (Hiranyakasipu speaking)<br />
Immediately go wherever there is good protection for the cows and brahmanas and wherever the Vedas are studied in terms of the varnasrama principles. Set fire to those places and cut from the roots the trees there, which are the source of life.<br />
<br />
PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada<br />
The picture of a proper human civilization is indirectly described here.<br />
<br />
In a perfect human civilization there must be a class of men fully trained as perfect brahmanas. Similarly, there must be kshatriyas to rule the country very nicely according to the injunctions of the sastras, and there must be vaisyas who can protect the cows.<br />
<br />
The word gavah indicates that cows should be given protection. Because the Vedic civilization is lost, cows are not protected, but instead indiscriminately killed in slaughterhouses. Such are the acts of demons. Therefore this is a demoniac civilization.<br />
<br />
The varnasrama-dharma mentioned here is essential for human civilization. Unless there is a brahmana to guide, a kshatriya to rule perfectly, and a perfect vaisya to produce food and protect the cows, how will people live peacefully? It is impossible.<br />
<br />
Another point is that trees also should be given protection. During its lifetime, a tree should not be cut for industrial enterprises.<br />
<br />
In Kali-yuga, trees are indiscriminately and unnecessarily cut for industry, in particular for paper mills that manufacture a profuse quantity of paper for the publication of demoniac propaganda, nonsensical literature, huge quantities of newspapers and many other paper products. This is a sign of a demoniac civilization.<br />
<br />
The cutting of trees is prohibited unless necessary for the service of Lord Vishnu. Yajnarthat karmano'nyatra loko'yam karma-bandhanah: [Bg. 3.9]) "work done as a sacrifice for Lord Vishnu must be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world."<br />
<br />
But if the paper mills stop producing paper, one may argue, how can our ISKCON literature be published? The answer is that the paper mills should manufacture paper only for the publication of ISKCON literature because ISKCON literature is published for the service of Lord Vishnu.<br />
<br />
This literature clarifies our relationship with Lord Vishnu, and therefore the publication of ISKCON literature is the performance of yajna.<br />
<br />
Yajnarthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah [Bg. 3.9]). Yajna must be performed, as indicated by the superior authorities. The cutting of trees simply to manufacture paper for the publication of unwanted literature is the greatest sinful act.<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
The demons have tried various schemes which I shall now outlay so you get some concept of the war which has happened so far.<br />
<br />
Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu were two brothers. The plan of Hiranyaksha was to adjust the position of the Earth itself to cause it to become influenced by negative energy in the lower regions of the universe and completely change the inhabitants of the Earth. To this end he was successful in moving the Earth but lord Vishnu killed him and put it back where it belonged.<br />
<br />
Hiranyakashipu reasoned that if he could defeat the gods in battle he could receive the worship of mankind. He did heavy Tapasya and got the benediction of Lord Brahma. With this benediction the gods were unable to defeat him and he openly ruled the universe. He caused the human population of earth worship him as God. With this act he opened the door for his own demise. He was eventually killed by Vishnu.<br />
<br />
The next great tyrant was Ravana and he got benedictions from Shiva and Brahma but he didn’t get worshiped as God. He only defeated the gods to become unquestioned ruler. He was a Rakshasha and they are not jealous of the gods worship. He just wanted to make sure they didn’t bother his indulgences. He offended the gods and humans and Vishnu incarnated and killed him.<br />
<br />
It is described that Indra killed many demons in a great war and destroyed their planets and kingdoms and so they were without a home. Their subtle bodies however were still intact so they came up with a new plan. Take birth on the Earth in human bodies.<br />
<br />
With this new plan they hoped to evade the watchful eyes of the Devas and turn the world into their own kingdom subjugating the human race in a very subtle way. They did however plunder and rape the earth who complained about their presence to Brahma.<br />
<br />
The gods were summoned and decided to take birth on the earth and fight them looking like Humans. The history of the war was written down as the great epic Mahabharata, culminating in the battle of Kuruksetra where the Bhagavad-Gita was spoken. Once again Vishnu came and aided the gods in the destruction of the demons.<br />
<br />
That last great war happened over 5,100 years ago. No other great war has happened since, that however doesn’t mean it won't happen again. It is said in the Vedas that the next incarnation of Vishnu will happen in over 400,000 years at the end of the current age. But there are records of many conflicts between gods and demons that happened between the incarnations of the Lord.<br />
<br />
What happened after the Mahabharata is not known by the majority of people but it has been recorded by the Tattvavadis, the followers of Madhvacharya.<br />
<br />
The demons were angry at being defeated once again and they realized that they needed to be extremely subtle. The problem had always been that the gods would declare war on them as soon as they made a move. So they decided they wouldn’t make any open moves again and they would only use humans as pawns in executing their schemes. It would essentially be the humans who did all the wrong and they would only make suggestions and offers to man from now on, not taking any active role in a military sort of way.<br />
<br />
They took birth around the world making bogus philosophies which decried the performance of fire sacrifice and the worship of the gods. Men would no longer be content with the system as it had been for hundreds of thousands if not millions of years.<br />
<br />
Instead they would become discontent with life in all respects, continually searching and never finding, always asking but never coming to any conclusion.<br />
<br />
They took birth as “holy” men and posed as "avatars" propounding "spiritual" philosophies not based on any authoritative source and spread their false doctrines around the globe.<br />
<br />
All of a sudden fire sacrifice which had been a staple of all religions around the world disappeared.<br />
<br />
Hate, fear and death they preached and spread their foul corruption of truth around the globe.<br />
<br />
Millions were slaughtered in the name of that which was holy. This was their revenge upon the holy ones, for in the name of truth, death and hatred were spread which was the most painful insult which could be launched against the masters of goodness.<br />
<br />
With this accomplished, men began to turn away from the very concept of that which was holy and began to eat the still more poison fruit of godlessness which had been the plan of the demons all along.<br />
<br />
Throughout history however to make their plans come to pass the demons have always had agents. At first they incarnated to preach their godless faith, however afterwards they found many willing humans who would serve them in exchange for earthly powers.<br />
<br />
So we have now come to the current situation of modern day secret societies and can understand their real masters and master plan.<br />
<br />
The Demons hope to turn this whole world into a godless materialistic paradise.<br />
<br />
They would be content if it was a desert with a few hundred thousand greedy people.<br />
<br />
They eat fear and pain like food.<br />
<br />
Fortunately for us, the gods decided to make a counter strike and many teachers of truth have come over the ages to counteract the demonic influence.<br />
<br />
But there is always a constant fight because the demons will stop at nothing to twist their words for their own ends.<br />
<br />
This is the current battle of light and dark. It has evolved from open interplanetary war to the minds and hearts of mankind.<br />
<br />
I do however get the feeling the gods are not so ignorant about what is going on and I feel if the demons can't hold themselves back and decided to try and destroy the world again, the gods will make war with them.<br />
<br />
By covert means the demons have descended upon us and by covert means did lord Krishna himself come as the hidden Avatar Lord Gauranga.<br />
<br />
He came to establish the sacrifice for this age, the Yuga Dharma, Harinam Sankirtan.<br />
<br />
The demons gain their power by the spread of hate and disunion, even amongst devotees, and the only true means for all people to fight against them is by joining together in Kirtan, free from all concepts of cast and creed in order to glorify and serve the Lord.happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-64385645077478183522011-06-12T17:33:00.001-07:002011-06-12T17:33:33.515-07:00Overview of the Vedic Universe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Vedas are the complete body of knowledge being passed down from the dawn of time, which encompass all things both within and without the universe.<br />
<br />
Anything you could want to know, you can find in the Vedas, in clear, direct and unambiguous terms. The only catch is you have to understand them from the perspective of the author, not by any interpretation, modern adaptation, and without ulterior motive. For that you need a guide, hence the inspiration and need for this official guidebook ;)<br />
<br />
The structure of the universe is described by the author of the Vedas, Srila Vyasadeva, in Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the essential commentary on the Vedanta Sutra – the condensed essence of the Vedas.<br />
<br />
The term Veda = Knowledge and the suffix anta = the conclusion<br />
<br />
The purpose of the Vedas is to draw the attention of the audience to the ultimate conclusion of the search for knowledge: Self-Realization and simultaneous realization of the Absolute Truth, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, and the relationship between the two.<br />
<br />
To understand who I am and how I relate to everything, I have to understand in what context I'm coming from; my family, my community, my country, my race, my religion, my belief system, my body, my mind, my consciousness, the nature and structure of this world, of the universe in which this world is situated, and what it's history and purpose are. All these contexts help me to understand myself, and define how I view, interact and experience the world around me and life itself.<br />
<br />
To aide in that search, we aim to provide an engaging visual framework from which to approach the universal view given by the Vedas; Srimad-Bhagavatam, the Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Bhagavad-Gita, and other corollary works.<br />
<br />
We will cover the following essential subjects:<br />
<br />
• The nature and structure of the elements of existence<br />
• How those elements constitute the various dimensions / planes of reality<br />
• The function and purpose of the material dimension<br />
• The formation of the multi-verse<br />
• The makeup of a universe<br />
• The creation of the planetary systems<br />
• Classification of life by qualities<br />
• The categories of life in the primary planetary systems<br />
- Divinities<br />
- Civilized races<br />
- Uncivilized races<br />
- Creatures<br />
- Animals<br />
- Plants<br />
* Each will contain:<br />
- Origin<br />
- Classification<br />
- Realms of Habitation<br />
- Special Traits<br />
- Physical description<br />
- Mental outlook<br />
- History<br />
- Historical figures<br />
- Items<br />
- Environments<br />
• Elements of Vedic civilization<br />
- Purpose of civilization<br />
- Stages of Spiritual practice <br />
- Social structure<br />
- Economic structure<br />
- Overview of Vedic Sciences<br />
• Dharma - Integrity / virtue / duty<br />
• Artha - art of work<br />
• Kama - art of desire<br />
• Moksa - liberation from limitations<br />
• Yoga - fulfillment of ultimate purpose<br />
• Bhakti - love, devotion and service in spiritual relationship<br />
• Vastu - art of space design (City planning, architecture, work and living spaces)<br />
• Gurukula - Education<br />
• Ayurveda - Health<br />
• Jyotish - Astrology<br />
• Art / Music / Dance / Poetry - creative expression<br />
• Dhanurveda - Military arts<br />
• Agriculture<br />
• Wardrobe / Fashion - form and function<br />
• Philosophy / Literature</div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-18455302569029043402011-06-08T17:29:00.000-07:002011-06-12T17:37:29.593-07:00Weekly Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Wed June 8th<br />
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I have been going over recordings of my story-telling sessions and typing them out. There are about 10 hours of Mahabharata stories. I think they will be good to have on hand to use for reference. I also have been going over our profile templates. What details can we cover? How detailed do we want to get? Basically we need to ask ourselves what details do we want to cover for places, for beings and for characters. We need to lay a specific framework for all our profiles so that we can create a united presentation. </div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-85567178895507379172011-06-04T13:09:00.000-07:002011-06-04T13:10:20.719-07:00New Video on Kickstarter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Here is a link to our latest video <br />
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The minds are beginning to meet and the pace is slow and steady which I like way more than rushed and sloppy<br />
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<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/142439212/the-illustrated-guide-to-the-vedic-universe/posts">http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/142439212/the-illustrated-guide-to-the-vedic-universe/posts</a></div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-50689911893927999502011-05-25T21:57:00.000-07:002011-05-25T21:57:51.582-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVFIsOAU-PA3dhZEXjTqWHYPSuXT3qOCUKgGjDH1elBHmiSL_RoLNGQWp0IAFoPXGnx4tzPZ3v0Cl_Mir8Z908HF1xhouevpfcTgPacc7-omS9ca_a0XZe0VdIbP3HcTHXPGhW6jhuKNR/s1600/photo-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVFIsOAU-PA3dhZEXjTqWHYPSuXT3qOCUKgGjDH1elBHmiSL_RoLNGQWp0IAFoPXGnx4tzPZ3v0Cl_Mir8Z908HF1xhouevpfcTgPacc7-omS9ca_a0XZe0VdIbP3HcTHXPGhW6jhuKNR/s320/photo-full.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There is a need for an illustrated guide to the Vedic universe (the universal view as explained by the Vedic texts). <br />
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We are creating an illustrated reference guide depicting the People, Places, Things, and Beings mentioned in the Vedic literature. <br />
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Each section will contain full descriptions and illustrations based on authentic source material, with references and historical photographs. <br />
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For example we will list:<br />
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Places - Planets, Divine realms, Hells and everything in-between<br />
Beings - Gods, Celestials, Demons, etc.<br />
Persons - Heroes, Saints, Devotees, Demons, Devas, etc.<br />
and Things - Chariots, Divine Missiles, Air Ships etc.<br />
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More than just an academically authoritative work, the book will be filled with beautiful, living, color illustrations of the subjects, as they would be in person.<br />
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This book will further function as an aid and authoritative guide to any and all derivative works (Media, Publications) which may be produced in the future by ourselves or others. <br />
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The book itself will be approx. 400 pages and contain between 800-1,000 illustrations from our pool of qualified artists.<br />
The funds required are to cover the costs of the artists, researchers and publishing.</div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8173261384947718775.post-88000238957108525442011-05-25T21:55:00.000-07:002011-05-25T21:55:02.455-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
This is a link to our kickstarter.com project. We will be putting a series of videos up shortly <br />
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<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/142439212/the-illustrated-guide-to-the-vedic-universe?ref=live">http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/142439212/the-illustrated-guide-to-the-vedic-universe?ref=live</a></div>happy cassidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12200440811854539051noreply@blogger.com0