Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Sabarimala
Sri Ranganathaswami Temple
108 main Vishnu temples (Divyadesams). This temple is also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Periyakoil, Bhoologa Vaikundam, Bhogamandabam. In the Vaishnava parlance the term "KOIL" signifies this temple only. The temple is enormous in size. The temple complex is 156 acres in extent. It has seven
prakaras or enclosures. These enclosures are formed by thick and huge rampart walls which run round the sanctum.
There are 21 magnificent towers in all prakaras providing a unique sight to any visitor. this temple lies on an islet formed by the twin rivers Cauvery and Coleroon. The temple of Sri Ranganathaswami at Srirangam boasts an historic past of great kingdom and a civilization thousands of years old. The reign of the Pallavas was marked by the creation of a solid religious foundation, for example the encouragement given by the dynasty appears to have contributed to the growth of Aryan institutions in Southern India more particularly in the Carnatic.
Cholas reigned for about three hundred years over the Coromandel Coast and the greater part of Eastern Deccan, where they helped an advanced Hindu Culture to flourish. The cholas were defeated in the thirteen century by the Pandyas of Madurai and Hoysalas of Mysore. Hoysalas had taken particular interest in the building of the Temple of Srirangam, leaving behind both the inscriptions and buildings. The Hoysalas were then driven away by the Pandyas in the early part of fourteenth Century. Later, the Mohammedans began frequently raiding the Deccan facing strong resistance from the Hindu Kingdom, which was established in Vijayanagar in 1336. The Kingdom maintained its independence until 1565. During this time, the Europeans had appeared in the south of India. In the sixteenth century a number of foreign travelers and traders passed through but taking least interest in the hinterland except for the routes it provided for their trade with the Kingdom of Vijayanagar. In 1600, the English East India Company was formed, and 1664 the French company.
In 1680, King Aurangazeb (1658-1707), launched a campaign in western Deccan. After long sieges and a great loss of life, the fortress cities of Bijapur and Golconda fell to him, and the campaign lasted until his death. In Europe, however, the war of Austrian succession set the English and the French at each other’s throats. Duplex captured Madras (1746), which was given back to the English two years later. The French were forced to surrender in 1752 and Duplex was disavowed and recalled in 1754. In 1760, a further French attempt, led by Lally-Tollendal, was unsuccessful and the French trading post was dismantled in 1763. From then on, the English Company gradually annexed the whole of the territory of India.
Though the French came near to victory, later on they were defeated in 1798 by the English led by Wellessley and who invaded Mysore and in 1799 captured the fortress of Srirangapatnam. There after all of the Southern India came under the supremacy of England. The Carnatic was included in the direct administration of the Madras Presidency where it remained.
Sri Krishna Avathar
God Sri Krishna says he liberates mankind from their sins when they completely surrender to him and helps them attain perfection. He also says in Gita "abandoning all rites and duties take refuge in mealone. Do not grieve for I shall librate you from all sins. Kamsa the king of Madhurapuri was a cruel ruler.
He imprisoned his father and took over the reign.He got his sister Devaki whom he loved very much
married to Vasudeva and was bringing them home when Yogamaya appeared in the sky and warned Kamsa that the eighth child of Devaki born with the astrologoical star "Rohini"would kill
him.Immediately kamsa was very rest less and consulted his friend Jarasanda and according to his advice imrpisoned both Devaki and Vasudeva. When ever devaki gave birth to a child he would immediately kill the baby. Devaki and Vasudeva were very sad and prayed to God Vishnu.
The God appeared before them and said "Iwill be born as your 8th child and I will kill Kamsa Do not worry and have peace of mind." So saying God disappearedAside to the story of Krishna avathar: In the mean time Sri vishnu ordered Aadhi-sesha his five-hooded snake to go into Devaki'swomb to be the seveth child. But He said this child would in time be transfered to the womb of Rohini the first wife of Vasudeva and would be born as Balarama another avathar of theGod.
God again ordained that Yokamaya Shakthi would be born as a girl child to Yasoda a lady in the yadava clan in Gokulam at the same time when Sri vishnu would be bornas Lord Krishna to Devaki. When Devaki gave birth to Lord Krishna God ordered Vasudeva to take the baby to Gokulam leave it with Yasoda and bring the female child born to Yasoda to the prison to be with Devaki. By Gods will the jail gates unlocked by them selves, the guards fell asleep to facilitate Vasudeva to take the child to Gakulam as divinely ordained. Further the river Yamuna which was in spateparted to open a path for vasudeva to pass with the child on his head. It was raining also.
By Gods instruction a five-hooded snake opened its hood like an umbralla over the child to protect it fromthe rain. He reached to gokulam and exchanged the children and he came back to the jail with Yogamaya born as a female child. The doors closed and locked itself automatically. All the gaurds woke up from deep slumber.As soon as he left the child with devaki Immediatly the child began to cry. The guards immediately in formed to Kamsa that a child was born to Devaki. Kamsa immediately went to the jail and was surprised and confused to find that the eighth child was a baby girl.However he snached the baby and dashed it head against the jail wall. The baby rose up and appeared as Devi Yokamaya and said "Homerciless king why are you trying to kill me ? The one to kill you is already born and is growing up some were. You cannot escape from death." saying this Yogamaya disappeared.
Kamsa was stunned and went to his palace a worried person. He felt very rest less. In the mean time grand celebrations were going on in Gokulam over the birth of Sri Krishna. Kamsa heard about this and sent his men to Gokulam to find out how many children were born with Rohini as their zodiac star. They went to Gokulam and found that 25 such children were born and informed Kamsa accordingly.They also told him that grand celebrations were going on in one Nanda gopan's house Kamsa some how felt very uncomfortable about the birth of Krishna to Nanda gopan and Yasoda and tried various means to kill the child but did not succeed. In time Lord Krishna killed the cruel king. & release his parents Vasudevan & Devaki and they sent young Krishna to a hermit for 'gurukula-vasam' for hisformal education. Krishna learnt all the sasthras and all the arts.On finishing his education he shifted to Dwaraka from Madhura. He distroyed all the evil forces and and established Dharma. Krishna helped the 'Pancha-pandavas' the five brothers among whom Arjuna was Krishna's very close friend. He helped them win the war with 'Kowrawas' the evil 100. During the war between the'Kowravas" and the 'Pandavas' Lord Krishna gave the message of SriBhagvat Gita to Arjuna and to the world.The essance of Gita: The Bhagavad-Gita describes to us how the aspirant to the heaven savoids bodily excesses and indulgence and practices abstinence.
He goes to a quiet place, regulates his breathing focuses his mind on one point and becomes harmonized with God and detaced from all desire for the fruit of action. When one attains this unity of mindhe arrives at a perfect understanding with his fellow beings through sympathy and love.He is the supreme lord of spiritual experience who conveys those moments of celestial glory when man gets beyond the eveil of the flesh and also indicates their true relation to the problems of daily existence. As a rule these qualities should be associated with Bhakti, love, dovotion, mercy and tenderness, Krishna's exhortation in Gita is enshrined in millions of hearts as the words of God. It is acknowledged by all as one of the supreme treasures of human literature. Its gospel of devotion to dutywithout attachment or desire for reward, has shown the way of life for all human rich or poor learned or ignorant - those who seek lightin the darkness of the problems of life.
Vamana Avathar
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The Gods and others from other lokas Implored to God to put Mahabali in his place.Once Mahabali was performaing a big "yaga"( offering things in the sacrificial fire) and at the end of the yaga was giving away gold and other things in charity. Whoever went to the palace on that day could ask whatever they wished and the king would certainlyoblige them.God seized this opportunity and came to Mahabali's palace as adwarf-mendicant. The dwarf asked the King for just 3 foot-measure of land for himself.
The king was perplexed and wondering why the dwarf was asking for only a 3 foot-measure of land when he could ask for acres and acres of land. However the king agred and asked the dwarf the measure the land with
his feet. ho! God assumed gigantic proportions his head reaching up to the sky - the highest world above and his feet down at
Pathala-loka the lowest of the worlds below the earth .God took one step and that covered all the worlds above the second step covered all the worlds below and there was no place left for his third foot measure. God asked king " Mahabali , I have taken two steps and have covered all the lokas tell me where to keep my foot for the third foot-measure."
Mahabali realising that the dwarf was no other than God him self Bowed before the dwarf and said " Please my lord you may keep your foot over my head as the third measure." Accordingly God put his foot on Mahabali's head and pressed hard to push the King to 'Pathala'loka' and told him "O king! this is where you belong and you should confine your self to this loka only." Mahabali realised his folly and ruled long over Pathala-loka.This is to show the people that they should live in their own place sand should not be so greedy to occupy the other lands.This was the Lord's fourth incarnation - as a dwarf.
The Gods and others from other lokas Implored to God to put Mahabali in his place.Once Mahabali was performaing a big "yaga"( offering things in the sacrificial fire) and at the end of the yaga was giving away gold and other things in charity.
Whoever went to the palace on that day could ask whatever they wished and the king would certainlyoblige them.God seized this opportunity and came to Mahabali's palace as adwarf-mendicant. The dwarf asked the King for just 3 foot-measure of land for himself. The king was perplexed and wondering why the dwarf was asking for only a 3 foot-measure of land when he could ask for acres and acres of land. However the king agred and asked the dwarf the measure the land with his feet. ho! God assumed gigantic proportions his head reaching up to the sky - the highest world above and his feet down at Pathala-loka the lowest of the worlds below the earth .God took one step and that covered all the worlds above the second step covered all the worlds below and there was no place left for his third foot measure. God asked king " Mahabali , I have taken two steps and have covered all the lokas tell me where to keep my foot for the third foot-measure."
Mahabali realising that the dwarf was no other than God him self Bowed before the dwarf and said " Please my lord you may keep your foot over my head as the third measure." Accordingly God put his foot on Mahabali's head and pressed hard to push the King to 'Pathala'loka' and told him "O king! this is where you belong and you should confine your self to this loka only." Mahabali realised his folly and ruled long over Pathala-loka.This is to show the people that they should live in their own place sand should not be so greedy to occupy the other lands.This was the Lord's fourth incarnation - as a dwarf.
The Gods and others from other lokas Implored to God to put Mahabali in his place.Once Mahabali was performaing a big "yaga"( offering things in the sacrificial fire) and at the end of the yaga was giving away gold and other things in charity.
Whoever went to the palace on that day could ask whatever they wished and the king would certainlyoblige them.God seized this opportunity and came to Mahabali's palace as adwarf-mendicant. The dwarf asked the King for just 3 foot-measure of land for himself. The king was perplexed and wondering why the dwarf was asking for only a 3 foot-measure of land when he could ask for acres and acres of land. However the king agred and asked the dwarf the measure the land with his feet. ho! God assumed gigantic proportions his head reaching up to the sky - the highest world above and his feet down at Pathala-loka the lowest of the worlds below the earth .God took one step and that covered all the worlds above the second step covered all the worlds below and there was no place left for his third foot measure. God asked king " Mahabali , I have taken two steps and have covered all the lokas tell me where to keep my foot for the third foot-measure."
Mahabali realising that the dwarf was no other than God him self Bowed before the dwarf and said " Please my lord you may keep your foot over my head as the third measure." Accordingly God put his foot on Mahabali's head and pressed hard to push the King to 'Pathala'loka' and told him "O king! this is where you belong and you should confine your self to this loka only." Mahabali realised his folly and ruled long over Pathala-loka.This is to show the people that they should live in their own place sand should not be so greedy to occupy the other lands.This was the Lord's fourth incarnation - as a dwarf.
Whoever went to the palace on that day could ask whatever they wished and the king would certainlyoblige them.God seized this opportunity and came to Mahabali's palace as adwarf-mendicant. The dwarf asked the King for just 3 foot-measure of land for himself. The king was perplexed and wondering why the dwarf was asking for only a 3 foot-measure of land when he could ask for acres and acres of land. However the king agred and asked the dwarf the measure the land with his feet. ho! God assumed gigantic proportions his head reaching up to the sky - the highest world above and his feet down at Pathala-loka the lowest of the worlds below the earth .God took one step and that covered all the worlds above the second step covered all the worlds below and there was no place left for his third foot measure. God asked king " Mahabali , I have taken two steps and have covered all the lokas tell me where to keep my foot for the third foot-measure."
Mahabali realising that the dwarf was no other than God him self Bowed before the dwarf and said " Please my lord you may keep your foot over my head as the third measure." Accordingly God put his foot on Mahabali's head and pressed hard to push the King to 'Pathala'loka' and told him "O king! this is where you belong and you should confine your self to this loka only." Mahabali realised his folly and ruled long over Pathala-loka.This is to show the people that they should live in their own place sand should not be so greedy to occupy the other lands.This was the Lord's fourth incarnation - as a dwarf.
Whoever went to the palace on that day could ask whatever they wished and the king would certainlyoblige them.God seized this opportunity and came to Mahabali's palace as adwarf-mendicant.
The dwarf asked the King for just 3 foot-measure of land for himself. The king was perplexed and wondering why the dwarf was asking for only a 3 foot-measure of land when he could ask for acres and acres of land. However the king agred and asked the dwarf the measure the land with his feet. ho! God assumed gigantic proportions his head reaching up to the sky - the highest world above and his feet down at Pathala-loka the lowest of the worlds below the earth .God took one step and that covered all the worlds above the second step covered all the worlds below and there was no place left for his third foot measure. God asked king " Mahabali , I have taken two steps and have covered all the lokas tell me where to keep my foot for the third foot-measure."
Mahabali realising that the dwarf was no other than God him self Bowed before the dwarf and said " Please my lord you may keep your foot over my head as the third measure." Accordingly God put his foot on Mahabali's head and pressed hard to push the King to 'Pathala'loka' and told him "O king! this is where you belong and you should confine your self to this loka only." Mahabali realised his folly and ruled long over Pathala-loka.This is to show the people that they should live in their own place sand should not be so greedy to occupy the other lands.
This was the Lord's fourth incarnation - as a dwarf.
Mahabali realising that the dwarf was no other than God him self Bowed before the dwarf and said " Please my lord you may keep your foot over my head as the third measure." Accordingly God put his foot on Mahabali's head and pressed hard to push the King to 'Pathala'loka' and told him "O king! this is where you belong and you should confine your self to this loka only." Mahabali realised his folly and ruled long over Pathala-loka.This is to show the people that they should live in their own place sand should not be so greedy to occupy the other lands.This was the Lord's fourth incarnation - as a dwarf.
Vamana was his fifth incarnationVamana means a Dwarf There is an interesting story behind this avatharam.Emperor Mahaballi (he is the grand sun of Prahaladan) ruled over the Pathala-loka. Instead of being confined to his-loka he captured the other lokas and was ruling over them.
Parasurama Avathar
He learnt all the sasthras taught by his father in earnestness.Vasugi sage jamadhagni's wife was very devoted to her husband and her children and looked after all the students with kindness and great care. Ever day she used to go to the river closed by very early in the morning to bathe. After taking bath she would make an
earthern pot and fetch water for the family.One day as she was making the pot a 'gandharva' ( celestial beings)passed over-head in the sky. She saw the reflection of the gandharva in the river water and was struck by the hand some features just for a moment.That wavering of the mind was considered being untrue to her husband. As a result that day however much she tried she could not make the pot. It broke every time she shaped it. Vasugi was unnerved by this and was afraid to go home.
Sage Jamadhagni sensed this through his mental power sand became incensed that his wife admired the beauty of some one other than her husband. Wanting to punish her he ordered Parasurama to behead his mother. Being an obedient son he immediately carried out his father's order. However Parasurama was overcome with great grief and also feltvery angry towards his father. He developed a cruel nature though he remained a sage all his life.
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