Are there 33 Koti Devi Devta in Hindu Dharma?

 

Yes. But it doesn't mean 33 followed by 7 zeros. kOTi means categories/groups/types in Sanskrit.

The 33 groups are 12 Adityas, 11 rudras, 8 vasus, Indra and Prajapati.

12 Adityas - every month one Aditya will be in that month - they are dhata, aryamudu, mitrudu, varunudu, Indrudu, vivaswamtudu, amsumamtudu, tvashta, vishnuvu, bgagudu, pushudu, kratuvu.

Krishna Paramatma said in Geeta “ among Adityas, I am vishnuvu ( Bhagavadgita 10:21 ) “.

11 rudras - according to Sivatatvaratnakaram, they are Sivudu, maheswarudu, Sambhudu, Srikanthudu, bhavudu, Eswarudu, mahadevudu, pasupati, neelakanthudu, vrushadhvajudu, paramesudu.

Krishna Paramatma said in Geeta “ among Rudras, I am Sivudu/Sankarudu ( Bhagavadgita 10:23) ”.

8 vasuvulu - they are Apudu, dhruvudu, somudu, dharudu, aniludu, analudu, pratyushudu, prabhasudu. This prabhasudu took birth as Bhishmudu.

Krishna Paramatma said in Geeta “ among vasus, I am agni ( aniludu ) ( Bhagavadgita 10: 23 ) ”.

Indra - is a post and person changes.

Prajapati - is for creation of beings.

All gods will be in these categories.

Subhamastu

Which Hindu goddess holds the Sudarshan Chakra?

 No Hindu goddess holds Sudarshana Chakra since it is the weapon of Lord Shiva which he created from his left toe for killing Jalandhara as per Padma Purana. He also asked Vishwakarma to infuse the brilliance of divine craftsmanship into Sudarshan Chakra (therefore in Vishnu Purana it is mentioned as also being created by Vishwakarma) his very own weapon. Much later, when Lord Vishnu, the lord of the devas, prayed to him for a lethal divine weapon of unmatched brilliance, Lord Shiva bestowed Sudarshana Chakra as a divine benediction to Lord Vishnu.

Padma Purana mentions how Lord Shiva created his discus weapon Sudarsana Chakra for the destruction of Jalandhara.

Then jumping over the lustre, Lord Siva danced by roving in all directions with the hinder part of his left foot. Then gods like Indra and others, seeing Siva dancing over the lustre, joyfully sounded musical instruments. Since then, in dances roving in all directions is practised. Then due to the crushing caused by Siva's dance, a disc was produced, which had three lakhs of spokes, and which was full of a crore of bones. Due to being crushed by the foot of Siva, particles went out from the lustre.

• Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 9

Padma Purana and Shiva Purana describes the killing of demon Jalandhara by Lord Shiva.

Its brilliance was like that of a crore of suns and it was swallowing (the world including) the mobile and the immobile. With that disc the head of Jalandhara was cut off (by Siva).

• Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda, chapter 18

On hearing the inauspicious words of the Daitya, lord Siva laughed mockingly and became furious. Siva held in his hand the wheel Sudarsana which he had made with his toe and got ready to kill him. Lord Siva hurled the discus Sudarsana which resembled a crore suns and the fire of dissolution. Blazing the heaven and the earth, the discus hit Jalandhara and severed his head with wide gaping eyes. The body of the son of the ocean fell on the ground from the chariot making the earth resonant. The head too fell. There was a great hue and cry. His body fell in two halves like the mountain of collyrium split by the thunderbolt and hurled in the ocean.

• Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita, Yuddha Khanda, Chapter 24

Many other Puranas including Mahabharata mentions of Sudarshan Chakra which was bestowed by Lord Shiva to Lord Vishnu.

The holy centre famous as Cakratirtha destroys sins of brahmin-slaughter etc. because it was here that lord Hari obtained his discus. The place where Lord Visnu stood and worshipped Sankara for the sake of discus is mentioned as Cakratirtha. By merely listening to it one is freed from all sins.

• Brahma Purana, Gautami Mahatmya, Chapter 39

It was by performing a very severe penance here that the Sudarsana discus that causes the destruction of all Daityas, was acquired by Krsna (Visnu) of unmeasured radiance.

• Skanda Purana, Prabhasa Kshetra Mahatmya, Chapter 155

When (the heap of) a thousand lotuses was short by one, the enemy of the Daityas (i.e. Visnu) concluded (your) worship with one of his eyes (as the wanting one-thousandth lotus). O Trident-bearing Lord, you gave him the discus Sudarsana and satisfied him.

• Skanda Purana, Arunachala Khanda Chapter 16

Salutations to that Rudra whose feet were worshipped by the flower of Visnu's eyes and who being pleased gave him the holy Chakra.

• Atharva Veda, Sharabha Upanishad

Thou (Shiva) art he unto whom Vishnu paid his adorations for obtaining his celebrated discus.

• Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Anusasanika Parva, Chapter 17

O Kesava! Lord Sankara had given you the Chakra, that weapon as bright as fire was created by Lord Vrisadhvaja himself and given to you, that weapon is full of amazing brilliance and has great strength.

• Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Danadharma Parva, Chapter 14

Sambhu has a shrine called Panchatapa, where the Visnu worshiped Sankara to obtain Chakra.

• Kurma Purana, Purva Bhaga, Chapter 42

The place where Sri Hari worshiped Jagdisvara Siva for many days with lotuses, and also with his eyes, he received Sudarsan Chakra from him.

• Harivamsha, Bhavishya Parva, Chapter 84

Satisfied, Mahadeva gave Visnu the divine Sudarsan Chakra with supreme direct radiance. That Chakra was similar to the Kalachakra, which is terrifying for all living beings, was handed over to Visnu.

• Vamana Purana, chapter 82

That supreme Mahesha who gave me (Vishnu) Discus, Sudarsana is the cause of the great power in me, capable of protecting the three worlds. Formerly, Hara created a Cakra arising out of the lines at the tip of the big toe and slew the Daitya Jalandhara who made even me tremble. That Cakra has been obtained by me by adoring the Lord with the lotus-like eye. This Cakra named Sudarsana suppresses hosts of Daityas.

• Skanda Purana, Kashi Khanda, Purvardha, chapter 21

Then, while worshipping Lord Siva, one of those thousand lotuses was missing and Lord Visnu became restless. He started thinking in his mind, 'Where did one lotus go? If it is gone, let it go. Is my eye not like a lotus?' Thinking in this way, Visnu took out one of his eyes and worshipped Lord Siva with devotion and praised him with the same hymn. Then the pleased Siva gave that Sudarsan Chakra to Visnu, which was as powerful as millions of Suns, was born from his feet and destroyed the enemies. At that time Visnu also turned towards north and after completing his rituals properly accepted that Chakra and again bowed to Mahadeva.

• Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita, chapter 36

After seeing Lord Visnu, who was praying after receiving his darshan, Lord Siva, said to him - O Madhusudan! I give you the Divya Sudarsan Chakra of amazing form. O Visnu! According to my command, you should kill the demons by its virtues. After saying this, Lord Siva gave Visnu that Chakra with light equal to ten thousand suns. Due to Lord Siva's boon, Visnu became famous in the entire world as Pundarikaksha.

• Saura Purana, chapter 41

Image courtesy : Google

Ghantakarna Mahavir is a character in Hindu mythology. What was his relationship with Shiva?

 Ghantakarna was a devotee of lord Shiva and hater of Lord Vishnu. He eventually realised the error of his ways and obtained grace at the hands of Lord Krishna.

Ghantakarna hated Lord Vishnu so much that he used to hang bells on his ears to prevent even hearing his name

I am the pishacha named ghantakarna, terrible to see. I eat flesh. I am deformed and terrible like another real death. I am coming from the great mountain kailasa served by ghosts (shiva's servants). I have the form of a pishacha who perform sinful deeds. I have been hating Vishnu always by hanging bells (=ghanta) on my ears (= Karna), thinking that the name of vishnu shall not enter my ears.

• 80, Bhavishya parva, Harivamsa.

He worshipped Lord Shiva asking for Moksha. Shiva refused saying that only Lord Vishnu can grant moksha to him

Entering the mountain kailasa, I met the lord having bull as his flag (shiva). Then I always worshipped and praised the great deva, shiva. Then Hara (shiva) was pleased with me and he asked me to accept a boon. Then I prayed for liberation in presence of the great lord, shiva. The lord with three eyes, shiva, told me who prayed for liberation: Vishnu is the only one who provides liberation for one and all. There is no doubt. Hence you go to badari, to the hermitage of nara and Narayana and worshipping the one who excites men, obtain liberation from govinda there. When the lord of lords, the one who holds the trident (shiva) told me thus, I realized the knowledge that, govinda, the one having garuda on his flag (Vishnu), is considered as the most superior.

• 80, Bhavishya parva, Harivamsa.

Lord Krishna had meanwhile arrived in Badari. Ghantakarna went there to meet Krishna and worshipped him

Concentrating his mind and bowing to keshava, affectionate to the devotees, the terrible pishacha, recited this mantra: i bow to the Lord Vasudeva, the one who resides in the inside of all, the one who holds the chakra. I bow to lord Vasudeva, the one who holds the mace, the one with intellect. AUM! I bow to Narayana, Vishnu, the splendorous Vishnu. O keshava! Let my mind be purified by praising you. Now let me not have a terrible, sorrowful birth like this again. O the Lord of senses! Let me become the messenger of gods by remembering you. Let my body be destroyed by the striking of your chakra and thus let me not have any connection with the worldly existence. O lord! This is my prayer.

O lord of gods! In happiness, sorrow, passion as well as eating and moving as also in waking and dream, everywhere, let my mind be happy in you. O the one who excites men! I bow to you.

• 80, Bhavishya parva, Harivamsa.

Lord Krishna was pleased by Ghantakarna’s devotion and showed him the divine Vaishnava form

O the lord of earth! Then the Lord of the universe (Krishna, Vishnu) showed him, who was not another, his own soul (form) in the pure inner mind of the pishacha. Then the terrible pishacha saw keshava (Krishna, Vishnu), Hari, in his own soul, wearing yellow, silk clothes, having eyes as beautiful as the lotus flower, having dark blue colour. The Lord Vishnu was holding the conch, chakra, garland and the mace. He was wearing a crown. He was wearing kaustubha and his chest was decorated with the auspicious mark, shrivatsa. The most desirable Lord having the colour of a dark blue cloud, was mounted on garuda. He looked like the god of wind. He was having four arms, speaking auspicious words. The lord was still, all pervading and auspicious. The eternal Lord was having neither beginning nor the end. The lord of illusion was not having any illusion (the vision was real), always yoked with truth and purity. The Lord, approachable with intellect was always without any impurity. Seeing the Lord of the universe, Vishnu, in his mind many times, the pishacha, without opening his eyes, considered himself to be the one who has achieved what is to be achieved.

• Chapter 81, Bhavishya Parva, Harivamsa

Ghantakarna was filled with devotion and worshipped Krishna again

Here is the one who holds the chakra, arrows, the bow Sharanga and the mace in his hands, who rides the chariot having a flagstaff and a quiver, the one with thousand heads, the Lord of all gods, the one who delivered the universe, the one who is the abode of the universe. Here is Vishnu, here is the conqueror (Jishnu), the Lord of the universe, the ancient lord, the best among the purushas, the soul of the world, the creator of the world, here is the eternal lord.

The lord of the universe is the one to be worshipped first - So say the wise. He is the constituent of all, He is the unborn lord, the origin of all. He is the subtle (minute) of the subtle, the most fundamental measure. (At the same time) hari, Vishnu is the gross of the gross. All this (world) is fixed in the lord. On destruction, all this world goes to the lord. All the world was born from him. That lord is standing here.

The one who has seen hari in the real form, his deleiverance is in his hands. To him, hari in the real form is appearing here. is sure that I have gathered merit in my other births before. It is Due to the outcome of that merit, I am seeing the lord here.

• 82, Bhavishya parva, Harivamsa.

The Lord Krishna purified Ghantakarna with his touch

Then lord Vishnu, hari who liberates from sins, touched the limbs all over the terrible pishacha, softly with his hand. Then his form immediately became splendorous and handsome like the form of the god of desire. His hair became curly and long. His arms became long. His eyes became beautiful. His fingers and nails became equal and his mouth became leveled and his nose became high. His eyes became beautiful as lotus flowers. He became splendorous with the colour of a lotus flower. His hair became beautiful and decorated with ornaments.

He could sing like a gandharva and he became accomplished as a siddha because Vishnu caressed him softly with his hand. Definitely, such a form was never seen even with the passage of time. Even now the sages are unable to get such a form (after performing penances). O the best among kings! (janamejaya! Vaishampayana continued) After performing many terrible and severe penances, the pishacha was able to get that form. O king! (janamejaya! Vaishampayana continued) Who will suffer among those who depend on the lord of universe? (None will suffer ever.) He will have good everywhere who meditates on Janardana, speaks about him and chants his name always. O the lord of earth! (janamejaya! Vaishampayana continued) What will he not have?

• 83, Bhavishya parva, Harivamsa.

Lord Krishna sent Ghantakarna to live in heaven, promising him liberation at the end of the Manvantara

Then the lord told him who was standing like another god of desire “You shall have un-decaying stay in heaven till the time indra is there. According to my order, you shall live in heaven till then and not anywhere else. When shakra perishes, then you shall leave heaven and have communion with me. Till the time of indra, your younger brother will also stay in heaven.”

Then ghantakarna went to heaven, as ordered by keshava.

• 83, Bhavishya parva, Harivamsa.

Why is “Ram Naam” considered powerful in Hindu scriptures?

 The name of Rama is the destroyer of sins, supreme among all names of Vishnu and the remover of obstacles.

Those who chant the name of Rama will never be defeated

“Your strength and valour are invincible. Your power never fails. Men who are devoted to you never fail. O god! If men faithfully chant about you as the ancient Purushottama, it is certain that they will never be vanquished.”

• 6 (105), Yuddha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana, Critical edition.

Rama Nama is equal to Vishnu Sahasranama

“O you beautiful one, O you charming one, (recite) ‘Rama, Rama, Rama’. The thousand names are equal to that.”

• Chapter 71, Uttara Khanda, Padma Purana.

Rama Nama is the best among all the names of Lord Vishnu

“O best brahmana, names of Visnu are superior to (the names of) all (other) gods. The knowers of Brahman have declared Rama’s name to be the best among them. O brahmana, the couple of letters, viz. Rama, is superior to all magical formulas, by just uttering which a sinner goes to the highest position. Siva alone and none else knows the efficacy of Rama’s name (which is) the worship of all deities.”

• Chapter 15, Kriyayogasara-Khanda, Padma Purana.

Rama Nama destroys all obstacles, ends quarrels, fear and grants victory

All the defects causing obstacles and all the quarrels causing death cease to exist and get dissolved only through the name of Rama. There is no doubt in this. What is called Rama dwells in all the living beings immobile as well as mobile, in the form of the immanent soul. The Lord of all Mantras, i.e. Rama, destroys fear and ailments. It grants victory in battle and gets every task accomplished.

• Chapter 256, Nagara Khanda, Skanda Purana.

Rama Nama grants the same results as chanting the hymns of the Vedas

O dear one, that fruit which one who recites the hymns of all Vedas, gets is obtained crorefold by Rama’s name only.

• Chapter 254, Uttara Khanda, Padma Purana.

Rama nama represents para Brahman itself and the world is dependent on Rama nama

The word ‘Rama’ on which yogis devote themselves is immeasurable and forever joyful and indicates Para Brahman itself. The body has been ascribed to Para Brahman which is holy, without any second, which does not have any blemishes and which is bodiless, so that the worshippers are shown the path. Similar to the whole banyan tree existing in the seed of the banyan tree, the entire world exists in the seed “Rama”.

• Rama Tapaniya Upanishad.

According to Hindu mythology, how many times has Shiva opened his 3rd eye and why?

 There are four instances where Mahadeva opened his third eye.

Incident 1: Burning of Kamadeva

After reaching the place where lord Shiva was engrossed in his meditation, Kamadeva made repeated attempts to arouse passion in the heart of lord Shiva, but his actions were no avail. Right then, Kamadeva saw Parvati arriving accompanied by her companions. She was looking divine in her beauty. Just at that moment lord Shiva too had come out of his meditation. Kamadeva thought that it was the most appropriate moment to release his arrow. Kamadeva struck lord Shiva with his Kamabana which did have a deep impact on him. Lord Shiva was struck by the awesome beauty of Parvati and his heart became full of passion for her. But at the same time he was surprised at the sudden change in his behaviour. He realized that it was an act of Kamadeva. Kamadeva started remembering gods but before the deities could come at his rescue the third eye of lord Shiva got opened and Kamadeva was reduced to ashes. Parvati got scarred after seeing Lord Shiva in such a destruction anger. She went to her house along with her companions. Rati, the wife of Kamadeva wept unconsolably.

Narrative:

He saw Kama stationed on His left side with his bow fully drawn and ready to discharge the arrow. Kama was haughty and so was very senseless. O Narada, on seeing Kama in that attitude, instantaneously anger was aroused in lord Siva, the supreme soul. O sage, standing high up in the air, holding the arrow and the bow, Kama discharged his arrow, usually unerring on Siva The infallible weapon became futile on the great Lord. The furious weapon calmed down in regard to the great soul, Siva. Kama was frightened when his weapon failed. Standing there and seeing lord Siva, the conqueror of death in front, he trembled. O great sage, when his endeavor became futile, Kama who was frightened much remembered Indra and all other gods. O great sage, remembered by Kama, Indra and other gods came there, bowed to and eulogized Siva. When the gods eulogized thus, a great flame of fire sprang up from the third eye of the infuriated Siva. That fire originating, instantaneously from the eye in the middle of His forehead blazed with flames shooting up and resembling the fire of final dissolution in refulgence. After shooting up in the sky, it fell on the ground and rolled over the earth all round. Even before the gods had the time to say "Let him be forgiven, let him be excused" it reduced Kama to ashes.

[1]

Ref: Shiva Purana

Incident 2: Birth of Jalandhara

Once upon a time, Indra was going towards Kailash mountain to meet lord Shiva. Sage Brihaspati was accompanying him. Lord Shiva came to know about his arrival. He wanted to test his devotion towards him. While both Indra and Brihaspati were still on their way. Lord Shiva met them on their in the guise of a hermit. Indra did not recognize Shiva, who was sitting on the way disguised as a hermit. Indra inquired as to who he was and where he lives. Lord Shiva sat quietly without saying a word. Indra repeatedly asked the same question, but each time Shiva remained quiet. Indra became furious and tried to attack lord Shiva with his Vajra. Lord Shiva paralyzed the raised hands of Indra by his divine power. Shiva's eyes had reddened due to anger which made Indra very frightened. sage Vrihaspati was able to recognize the real identity of the hermit as to who he was. He made salutations to lord Shiva and requested him to pardon Indra. Lord Shiva became pleased and diverted the power of his third eye to the ocean. And from that energy , Jalandhara is born.

Narrative:

Indra said:"O evil-minded one, though asked you did not reply to me. Hence I am going to kill you with my thunderbolt. Who can save you?" After saying this and looking at him ferociously Indra raised his thunderbolt in order to kill him. On seeing Indra lifting up his thunderbolt, Siva prevented the fall of the thunderbolt by making his hand benumbed. Then Siva became furious. His eyes became terrible. He blazed with his burning splendor. Then Indra burnt within himself by the benumbing of his arm like a serpent whose exploits had been curbed by pronouncing magical formulas. On seeing him resplendent, Brihaspati realized immediately that he was lord Siva himself and bowed to him. Then the noble-minded Brihaspati joined his palms in reverence. He prostrated before him on the ground and began to eulogize the lord. Lord Shiva said: O Brihaspati, how can I take up the fury that has already come out of my eye? A serpent does not wear again the slough that has been cast off. Brihaspati said: O holy lord, indeed the devotees should be pitied always. O Siva, thus please make your name Bhaktavatsala (favorably disposed towards the devotees) true. O lord of gods, you deserve to cast elsewhere the fierce brilliance. 0 uplifter of all devotees, raise up Indra. Siva said: O dear one, I am delighted by your eulogy. I shall grant you the excellent boon. Henceforth you shall be famous as Enlivener because you have conferred life on Indra. I shall cast off this fire born of my eye in the forehead intended to kill Indra lest it should afflict him. On saying this he held that wonderful brilliance born of the eye in the forehead and cast it off in the briny ocean. Then the lord Rudra of great divine sports vanished from the scene. Brihaspati and Indra were relieved of their fright and they became happy. After having the immediate perception of Siva for which they had come here, Brihaspati and Indra became contented and went away to their abodes joyously.

[2]

Ref: Shiva Purana

Incident 3 : Birth of Andhaka

Goddess Parvathi as a part of sports, closed eyes of Lord Shiva from back and whole world became dark. Then lord Shiva opened His third eye and fire emanated from it and blind creature (Andhaka) was born.

Narrative:

While sporting on the eastern ridges of the Mandara mountain, Parvati sportively and playfully closed the eyes of Siva of fierce exploit. She closed the eyes with her lotus-like bands which had the lustre of coral and golden lotus. When Siva's eyes were closed, a great darkness spread immediately. By this contact with lord Siva the rapturous rutting juice exuded from her hands became hot by the fire of the eye on his forehead and Bowed out in copious drops. Conception took place and a terrible inhuman being manifested itself. It was furious, ungrateful, blind deformed, and black in color. It had matted locks of hair and fine hair all over the body. It sang, cried, laughed, danced, put out its tongue like a serpent and thundered fiercely. When this curious creature arose, Siva smilingly spoke to Parvati, Lord Siva said:- "You did it yourself by closing my eyes. O my beloved, why are you afraid of it now? On hearing these words of Siva, Parvati smilingly took off her hands from the eyes. When light spread everywhere the blind being appeared even more terrible. On seeing such a being, Parvati asked her lord Siva. Parvati said:- O lord, what is this ugly hideous being that is born in front of us. Please tell me the truth. Why was it created ? By whom ? Whose child is it ? Sanatkumara said:- On hearing these words of his beloved, the sportively inclined mother of the three worlds and the cause of creation of the blind creatures, lord Siva himself indulging in sports smilingly said;- Lord Siva said:- O Parvati of mysterious activities, listen. When my eyes were closed by you, this being of wonderfully fierce might was born of my sweat. He shall be named Andhaka.

[3]

Ref: Shiva Purana

Incident 4: A demon born from Lord Shiva’s third eye

Son of sage Dadhichi, Pippalada blamed the gods for his parents death and decided to seek revenge. Pippalada pleased Shiva through his prayers. Shiva pleased with his penance manifested and asked him whether he could see his third eye. Pipalada said he couldn't see. Shiva told him to do a penance till he could see his third eye. Pippalada therefore performed even more difficult penance for years. Eventually he managed to see Shiva’s third eye. From Shiva’s third eye, a demon was born to take revenge on the gods. Shiva persuaded Pippalada to control his anger. He convinced Pippalada that nothing can be gained by killing the gods. That would not bring his parents back. Pippalada agreed. But he wished to see his parents once. Accordingly, vimana descended from heaven on which Dadhichi and his wife were seated. They blessed Pippalada and asked him to marry and have children. However, this story doesn't involve opening of Shiva's 3rd eye.

Image (s) Courtesy: Pinterest

Footnotes

[1] 

Shiv Puran - Part 7

[2] 

Shiv Puran - Part 11

[3] 

Shiv Puran - Part 13