HINDUISM

Mother Goddess, the creative aspect of the absolute

K S SIVAKUMARAN

In Hinduism Lord Siva's consort is Parvathy. She is also known as Shakthi. There are many other names like Kaali, Durga. All these Gods and Goddesses are different attributes of one God. In different individual forms they perform different functions. Siva, Brahma and Vishnu are the triumvirates sharing power in different degrees in the formation of stages in human life. Brahma creates, Vishnu protects, and Siva destroys evil.

We shall talk about the deity Saraswathi for a while. She is the Goddess of Learning. She is the consort of Brahma. I have gleaned from several sources the descriptions of Saraswathi in Hindu Mythology. Here are some details in simple form of expression.

The Thamilians from the south of India and north and east and central hills and other parts of Lanka call Siva's or Shiva's (as the North Indians call) consort Parvathi or Aadhi Parashakthy.

She is known as the Mother Goddess. In North India Hindus call the Mother Goddess Durga or Kaai. The Bangla Hindus in Bengal and Bangladesh, among them Ramakrishna Paramahamsar were devout Bhakthas of Kaali or Durga. Durga is known as Shakthi or Devi.

The Thamilians have temples for Bhadra Kaali and Durga Amman and also for Maari Amman and Kannagi Amman. Lots of Lankans who are Hindus and Buddhists visit such Amman temples in all parts of Lanka including Colombo. In the Havelock Town Mayuradhipathy temple there are enshrined two holy figures of Durgai Amman deity.

Parashakthy or Kaali or Parvathy is a symbol of energy or power.

This energy merges with the powers of Lord Shiva to create, preserve and destroy. Mother Goddess is part of Lord Siva. She resides in the left side of the Lord. That is why Lord Siva is also known as Artha Naareeswarar. Therefore Mother Goddess is the creative aspect of the Absolute.

Let us turn now to another attribute of Shaktthi. The Goddess of Learning is Saraswathi and Goddess of wealth is Lakshmi.

The Supreme Goddess Parvathi known by various names is worshipped by devotees for nine days. The first three days are devoted to Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices and defects. As Lakshimi the Goddess gives spiritual wealth to the devotees, the next three days are devoted to her. Finally the last three days are devoted to Saraswathi, the Goddess of Learning. Basically we worship Mother Goddess in her three different forms- Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. Nava Rathri-Nine Nights are devoted to the worship of Mother Goddess. She is a multi-dimensional deity taking different forms.

Mother Goddess is known as Durga, Bhavaani, Ambaal or Ambikaa, Gowri, Parvathi and other names. Durga means inaccessible.

“She is the personification of the active side of the divine “ShakthiÓ-energy of Lord Siva. She is the ferocious protector of the righteous, and destroyer of evil. Durga is usually portrayed as riding a lion and carrying weapons in her many arms.

Goddess Lakshmi the consort of Lord Vishnu is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both spiritual and materialistic persuasions. Saraswathi as the goddess of knowledge and the arts she represents wisdom and learning. Sarawathi Pooja is the culmination of the worship of Mother Goddess. It is followed by Vijayadhaami.

Lord Ganesh or Vinayagar or Pillayaar associated with all these forms of Mother Goddess.

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Vishwakarma - Lord of Architecture

By Subhamoy Das

Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects. Son of Brahma, he is the divine draftsman of the whole universe, and the official builder of all the gods’ palaces. Vishwakarma is also the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons. The Mahabharata describes him as “The lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of the gods, the most eminent of artisans, the fashioner of all ornaments ... and a great and immortal god.” He has four hands, wears a crown, loads of gold jewelry, and holds a water-pot, a book, a noose and craftsman's tools in his hands.

Hindus widely regard Vishwakarma as the god of architecture and engineering, and September 16 or 17 every year is celebrated as Vishwakarma Puja - a resolution time for workers and craftsmen to increase productivity and gain divine inspiration for creating novel products. This ritual usually takes place within the factory premises or shop floor, and the otherwise mundane workshops come alive with fiesta. Vishwakarma Puja is also associated with the buoyant custom of flying kites. This occasion in a way also marks the start of the festive season that culminates in Diwali.

Vishwakarma's architectural wonders

Hindu mythology is full of Vishwakarma's many architectural wonders. Through the four ‘yugas’, he had built several towns and palaces for the gods. In “Satya yuga”, he built the Swarg Loke, or heaven, the abode of the gods and demigods where Lord Indra rules. Vishwakarma then built the ‘Sone ki Lanka’ in “Treta yuga”, the city of Dwarka in “Dwapar yuga”, and Hastinapur and Indraprastha in the “Kali yuga”.

Dwarka

Among the many mythical towns Viswakarma built is Dwarka, the capital of Lord Krishna. During the time of the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna is said to have lived in Dwarka, and made it his “Karma Bhoomi” or center of operation. That is why this place in nothern India has become a well known pilgrimage for the Hindus.

Hastinapur

In the present “Kali Yuga”, Vishwakarma is said to have built the town of Hastinapur, the capital of Kauravas and Pandavas, the warring families of the Mahabharata. After winning the battle of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna installed Dharmaraj Yudhisthir as the ruler of Hastinapur.

Indraprastha

Vishwakarma also built the town of Indraprastha for the Pandavas. The Mahabharata has it that King Dhritrashtra offered a piece of land called ‘Khaandavprastha’ to the Pandavas for living. Yudhishtir obeyed his uncle's order and went to live in Khaandavprastha with the Pandava brothers. Later, Lord Krishna invited Vishwakarma to build a capital for the Pandavas on this land, which he renamed ‘Indraprastha'. Legends tell us about the architectural marvel and beauty of Indraprastha. Floors of the palace were so well done that they had a reflection like that of water, and the pools and ponds inside the palace gave the illusion of a flat surface with no water in them.

-abouthinduism.com

Sri Hanuman, symbol of honesty and sincerity

Maha Kumbabishekam and Manadalabishekam at Galaha Sri Gnanasakthi Hanuman Temple

The Kandy Galaha Sri Gnanasakthi Hanuman Temple which is dedicated to Sri Hanuman (“Anjenayar”) is situated at Galaha in Kandy surrounded by flower gardens and green vegetation.

The Maha Kumbabishekam was held on 23.01.2013 with special poojas and Abishekams by “Brammasri”, Ramanatha Sivabala Kurukal”. In this “Maha Kumbabiseka” ceremony several Hindu priests namely “Brammasri” N Thivakarakurukal, “Brammasri” Venhada Sundar Ramakurukal, “Brammasri” N Uthayasangarakkurukal participated for the success of this Maha Kumbabisekam.

Celebrations

In fact, following this “Maha Kumbabishekam Mandalabishekam” will be conducted for 48 days to invoke the blessings of Sri Gnanasakthi Hanuman. “Sri Hanuman” is the embodiment and personification of physical prowess of mental and spiritual discipline, intellectual uprightness, emotional balance and moral splendour. According to sage “Valmiku”, Sri Hanuman is the sacred of all characters. To him Sri Hanuman represented the most cultural youth of his times. He expressed maturity, intelligence, alertness, calmness, smartness, nobility, humility, honesty, sincerity, valour, boldness, devotion, respect, courtesy, all bundled together. Sage Valmiku never missed an occasion to show how Sri Hanuman promptly responded to the needs of “Sugriva”, his master as well as to every spoken orders of his “Lord Sri Rama.”

Enthusiasm

His command over the language fascinated Sri Rama when he introduced himself to his beloved Lord Rama. He also exhibited extraordinary tenacity and sustained enthusiasm, during the apparent failures he faced while searching for Sita in Lanka. After a long search, when he was about to give up, he said to himself: “Enthusiasm is the root of proseprity and it is the highest joy,” which promotes all endeavours.”

Further, Sri Hanuman was promised as the best of servants by Sri Rama, while he handed over the “Chudamani”. Sri Rama held it close to his heart and extolled “Sri Hanuman” as Purushottaman. He is the best among men, who did much more than the different tasks entrusted by his master.

Even as a messenger of Sri Rama, Sri Hanuman was very competent in communicating with Sita in Asoka forest and devised some means so that Sita may listen to his words without any fear. He addressed her in gentle words praising the noble qualities of Sri Rama.

Sita's happiness

Hearing these words from Sri Hanuman, Sita was extremely delighted at the news of Rama. To Sita the heroic Hanuman appeared like the Asoka flowers and she was deeply amazed and took Sri Hanuman to be a formidable being.

The Hanuman, the effulgent son of “Wind God”, humbly approached Sita, worshipped her and said that he had come as a Messenger at Sri Rama's Command. Hanuman fully realizing Sita's thoughts about Sri Rama, began to speak in words pelasant to the ear, causing immense delights to her. He said that great Rama is spirited like the sun and beautiful like the moon. Everyone is warmly devoted to him. He is prosperous like “Kubera” and Heroic like Lord Vishnu.

Further, in order to create confidence in Sita's mind, Sri Hanuman gave a ring with Rama's name engraved on it. Sri Hanuman said that Sri Rama has made it and he had brought it for her confidence. He comforted Sita by saying that her sorrow would soon be over.

Sri Hanuman is one of perfection, a personification of erudition, culture, competency and efficiency. As such, let us pray to Sri Gnanasakthi Hanuman in Galaha and receive his Divine Blessings for peace and prosperity.

Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar