What are some mind-blowing facts that sound like lies but are actually true?

 1. The crime rate is so low in the Netherlands that they have closed 23 prisons since 2004 because they do not have enough criminals to fill them.

2. Back in the 1990s, Denzel Washington covered the expenses of a young aspiring actor who didn't have enough money to attend the Oxford Summer Theatre School. That young actor was Chadwick Boseman (RIP).

Chadwick publicly thanked Denzel at the 2019 AFI Lifetime Achievement Awards.

3. In 1963, a Turkish man was renovating his house. After knocking down a wall in his basement, he found a tunnel. He followed the tunnel and discovered an ancient underground city called "Derinkuyu," which once had a population of 20,000.

4. In 2009, an autistic artist named Stephen Wiltshire was able to sketch the New York skyline from memory with a pen after taking a helicopter ride for about 20 minutes.

5. Lady Di was known for ignoring royal protocols. She often traveled by subway. At amusement parks, she refused preferential treatment and made William and Harry wait in line like everyone else.

6. The Blue Lake, in New Zealand, has the clearest body of fresh water known to man, with visibility in the lake of up to 80,000 meters.

7. The record for the largest car theft of all time was 1,000 Volvo cars. The vehicles were ordered and delivered, then the invoice was ignored and, to this day, has still not been paid. The cars were ordered by and delivered to North Korea.

8. In 1963, the Bronx Zoo opened an exhibit titled "The World's Most Dangerous Animal." It was a mirror.

9. Two assailants in New York City once tried to attack former world heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey (who was in his 60s/70s at the time).

As expected, it ended with both assailants unconscious. The dates and circumstances leading up to this event are somewhat uncertain, although Dempsey referenced the incident in his book.

10. Personally, my favorite: In 1996, an avid birdwatcher in Devon, England, spent a whole year hooting at owls and recording their responses, unaware that it was one of his neighbors pretending to be an owl and answering him.

1. Blue Lake (New Zealand).

Why could Karna not save Jayadratha on the 14th day of war from Arjuna, if he was a match for him?

 Karna fought most impressively while defending Jayadratha compared to anyone else among the Kurus..

Firstly we need to examine the boon Arjuna obtained from shiva on 13th night which was sole reason for victory of Pandavas. , and kuru army being weakened by Shiv himself in order to fulfill his boon.

Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti beholding a wonderful phenomenon in connection with his own victory, asked Vyasa, O bull of Bharata's race, who came thither in course of his wanderings, saying,

'O great Rishi, while I was engaged in slaying the foe in battle with showers of bright shafts, I continually beheld before me, proceeding in advance of my car, a person of blazing hue, as if endued with the effulgence of fire. Whithersoever he proceeded with his uplifted lance, all the hostile warriors were seen to break before him.

Broken in reality by him, people regarded the foe to have been broken by me. Following in his wake, I only destroyed those, already destroyed by him. O holy one, tell me who was that foremost of persons, armed with lance, resembling the sun himself in energy, that was thus seen by me?

He did not touch the earth with his feet, nor did he hurl his lance even once. In consequence of his energy, thousands of lances issued out of that one lance held by him.'

"Vyasa said, 'Thou hast, O Arjuna, seen Sankara, that First cause from which have sprung the Prajapatis, that puissant Being endued with great energy, he that is the embodiment of heaven, earth and sky, the Divine Lord, the protector of the universe, the great Master, the giver of boons, called also Isana.

Kuru army was already doomed to fail due to this boon in addition to Shiva's own presence there..

Further Karna was badly mangled by Arrows of Bhima while the former fought mildly with the Pandaveya. He was clearly not in his best form as per his own words.

'Deeply hath my body been pierced in battle by the brave bowman Bhimasena, capable of striking vigorously with repeated showers of arrows. O giver of honours, that I am yet present in battle is because that one like me should be present here. Scorched with the powerful shafts of Bhimasena, every limb of mine is suffering from torturing pain I shall, however, for all that, fight to the best of my powers. My life itself is for thee. I shall strive my best so that this foremost one of the sons of Pandu may not succeed in slaying the ruler of the Sindhus.

As long as I shall fight, shooting my whetted shafts, the heroic Dhananjaya, capable of drawing the bow with even his left hand, will not succeed in getting at the ruler of the Sindhus.

Now what's the Impressive part? Here it is. At one point all the defenders of Jayadratha were scattered into multiple directions by Arjuna, Bhima and Satyaki, where Karna alone managed to hold them off for sometime.

Karna, however, O king, with his arrows, resisted him in that battle in the very sight, O Bharata, of Bhimasena and Satwata. The mighty-armed Partha, in the very sight of all the troops, pierced the Suta's son, in return, with ten arrows, on the field of battle. Then Satwata, O sire, pierced Karna with three arrows. And Bhimasena pierced him with three arrows, and Partha himself, once more, with seven.

The mighty car-warrior, Karna, then pierced each of those three warriors with sixty arrows. And thus, O king, raged that battle between Karna alone (on one side) and the many (on the other). The prowess, O sire, that we then beheld of the Suta's son was wonderful in the extreme, since, excited with wrath in battle, he singly resisted those three great car-warriors.

Then the mighty-armed Phalguna, in that battle, pierced Karna, the son of Vikartana, in all his limbs with a hundred arrows. All his limbs bathed in blood, the Suta's son of great prowess and bravery, pierced Phalguna in return with fifty arrows. Beholding that lightness of hand displayed by him in battle, Arjuna brooked it not.

Cutting off his bow, that hero, viz., Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, quickly pierced Karna in the centre of the chest with nine arrows, Then Dhananjaya, with great speed at a time, when speed was necessary shot in that battle a shaft of solar effulgence for the destruction of Karna. Drona's son, however, with a crescent-shaped arrow, cut off that shaft as it coursed impetuously (towards Karna). Thus cut off by Aswatthaman, that shaft fell down on the earth.

Arjuna was able to defeat Karna here only because of his divine equipment, something Karna lacked in this scenario. An overwhelming majority of Arjuna’s victories also involved exploiting his opponents’ weaknesses by killing their charioteers, targeting their horses, or cutting off their bows. Meanwhile he was invulnerable to these same setbacks because of the divine advantages he had. Even here, Arjuna had to cut off Karna’s bow to overcome him, as he couldn't beat him otherwise despite having support and enemy being crippled.

We see something different on the 17th day, when Karna nearly killed Arjuna twice and dominated him on several occasions, due to utilisation of divine equipments in his possession.

So I don't see why Arjuna's victory here should be treated as such a big deal especially when his opponents were already severely disadvantaged by divine intervention and other handicaps. If anything, the Kuru army deserves more credit for their resilience and endurance and how difficult they made things for the Pandas despite their overwhelming advantages. And Karna deserves credit for the same reason.

Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha's love story that will make your heart cry

 Amitabh Bachchan only enjoyed Rekha's youth and left Rekha after getting pregnant,

Everyone knows about the love story of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and beauty queen Rekha. There was a time in the film streets when the pair of Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha was called the hottest couple of Bollywood and their love stories were the talk of the town. It is said that both had secret love. Their pair had given more than one film on the screen. The closeness between the two had increased during the work itself. Amitabh never accepted love with Rekha, but Rekha still considers him her own in her heart. So let us tell you about the love story of Amitabh and Rekha under the series 'The Emperor of Bollywood, 80 Years-80 Kisses' on Amitabh's 80th birthday-

Over the years many generations have grown up listening to film songs of Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha. It is said that when the spark of love was burning between Rekha and Amitabh, in the meantime, Rekha arrived at the wedding of Bollywood veteran Rishi Kapoor's wife and her close friend Neetu Singh wearing sindoor and mangalsutra. It is said that then rumors spread in the media that Rekha had married Amitabh Bachchan. However, after many rumors, Rekha told in an interview, 'That evening she reached the program directly from the shooting set. The sindoor and mangalsutra were part of her character and she forgot to take it off.

According to reports, Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha started dating each other during the 1976 film Do Anjaane. Their reel life chemistry came to the fore when Amitabh lost his temper on his co-star after he misbehaved with Rekha on the sets of Ganga Ki Saugandh. Only after which the rumors flying about both had caught the headlines. However, Amitabh and Rekha never accepted this publicly. That was disclosed by Yash Chopra, the director of the film Silsila, about the relationship between the two.

During an interview, Rekha made a big disclosure on her and Amitabh Bachchan's relationship. He had said that no one cares what I want. I am another woman. He also targeted Jaya without naming her that the other person has become poor in everyone's eyes. How can one live with such a person under one roof when he/she knows that he/she loves another.

Even when the news of their affair was spreading like fire, Amitabh Bachchan remained silent. But these news had reached Jaya's ears. Once when Amitabh Bachchan was not at home, Jaya invited Rekha for dinner at her house one night. Then Rekha felt that perhaps she would tell him a lot of lies. But when Rekha reached Jaya's house, she treated Rekha with great respect, fed her and also showed her the house. When Rekha was going back, Jaya only told her that 'I will never leave Amit'. This thing of Jaya had made it clear that Rekha would never be Amitabh's.

Amitabh and Rekha last worked together in the film 'Silsila'. After that both were never seen together. People also say that the film 'Silsila' is the real life story of Amitabh, Rekha and Jaya. After this film, there was a distance between Amitabh and Rekha. Even today, whenever both are seen together, they keep stealing glances from each other.

Which is your favourite Hindu mythology story?

 A story from Ramcharit manas wrote by Goswami Tulsidas. We all know that Narad muni is Brahmachari but Once He also wanted to marry a princess. The story goes like this-

Once Lord Shiva blessed Narada to meditate in Tapovan, a forest for Tapasya (meditation), and no one would be able to disturb him. He started his meditation and this became the matter of concern to Lord Indra as he was worried about his aim of meditation. To disturb him he decided to send Agni (god of fire), Varuna (god of rain), and Vayu (god of wind). Thus they began their task. Varuna made it rain, Vayu made the wind blow and later Agni lit the place on fire. But of no use and all of them returned to heaven. Indra then approached Kamadev, the god of Love, to disturb him. He tried every possible thing from beautiful dancing girls to buzzing bees to birds humming. It was an atmosphere of love. But Narad remained unaffected. He defeated everything not with Shiva’s blessings but due to his attainment.

After completing the meditation, Proud Narada met Lord Shiva on Kailash and boasted how he defeated Agni, Vayu, Varuna, and Kamadev. All that Shiva had to say was not to say anything to Vishnu. But Narada couldn’t resist and boasted everything before Vishnu. To which the latter replied, “Be on guard.” Narada was so happy that he couldn’t read Vishnu’s mind.

On his way back he visited King Sheelanidhi’s palace and was informed about princess Shrimati’s swayamvar. He fell in love with the princess the moment he saw her and wished to marry her. On reading her fortune he came to know that whoever marries the princess would be the king of the three worlds. He approached Vishnu for help and requested him to make him look like Vishnu’s avatar ‘Hari’ the most handsome prince in the ceremony so that the princess chose him as her companion.

Finally, the day of ‘Swayamvar’ arrived. Narada dressed in a royal avatar walked confidently in the ceremony. He knew he was the most handsome and the princess would choose him. But after looking at his face the princess busted out laughing and walked past him and then gave the garland to the last king, Lord Vishnu. This didn’t go well with Narada and told the princess that he deserves the garland. Everyone at the ceremony teased him and asked him to look into the mirror. After looking in the mirror he was in for a surprise as he was not a handsome looking man but a monkey. Unfortunately, Narada was unaware of the fact that Vishnu’s other name ‘Hari’ also meant a monkey.

Narada was annoyed and asked Vishnu the reason behind his actions. He said, “I asked you to make me the most handsome prince but instead you turned me into a monkey. And because of you, I have lost the love of my life.” Later he cursed Vishnu that he would also lose his beloved and will experience the pain of separation. And only monkeys would help you to get your love back.” To which Vishnu smiled and accepted the curse. He said he will take birth as a human being and Goddess Lakshmi will be his wife and they both would endure separation.

Later Lord Vishnu told him that he made the princess and city by his “Maya” because you got proud inside you which is harmful to every individual and It is my duty to save my devotees from any harm. Narad Realised his mistake and felt sorry about it.

Can the loss of solar mass actually have any noticeable effects on Earth over millions of years?

 This depends on how much mass the Sun is losing and at what stage it is in its life cycle.

The Sun currently loses approximately 170 trillion tonnes of mass each year, primarily through nuclear fusion (about 126 trillion tonnes) and the solar wind (about 47 trillion tonnes).

At first glance, 170 trillion tonnes sounds like an enormous amount of material. However, the Sun is so vast that this annual loss represents only about 0.0000000085% of its total mass.

This loss of mass does have an effect on Earth. As the Sun loses mass, its gravitational attraction weakens slightly, causing Earth's orbit to gradually expand. The effect is extremely small and virtually unnoticeable on human timescales.

Currently, Earth moves away from the Sun by approximately 1.5 centimetres per year. At that rate, after one million years, Earth would be only about 15 kilometres farther from the Sun than it is today.

When the Sun enters its Red Giant phase, mass loss will increase dramatically. As a result, Earth's outward migration will occur more rapidly. Even then, the change will still be very difficult to detect on human timescales.

During the Red Giant phase, the Sun is estimated to lose between 1 and 10 quintillion tonnes of mass per year. This increased mass loss is expected to accelerate Earth's outward movement to tens of kilometres per year, with rates potentially reaching hundreds of kilometres per year during periods of intense mass loss in the late Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) phase. This occurs during the final few million years before the Sun sheds its outer layers as a planetary nebula and becomes a white dwarf.

Over this entire evolutionary process, Earth's orbit is expected to expand from its current distance of approximately 150 million kilometres from the Sun to around 270 million kilometres. This increase would occur solely as a result of the Sun losing nearly half of its mass over the next 5 billion years or more.

In summary, while the Sun's loss of mass does cause Earth to gradually move farther away, the effect is incredibly small today. The most significant orbital expansion will occur during the Sun's final stages of evolution, billions of years from now, when mass loss rates become vastly greater than they are at present

Image from google

Can an Indian marry a Pakistani?

 

Reena Roy : This popular Indian film star suddenly got married to Mohsin Khan , a Pakistani cricketer.

But, their marriage ended in an acrimonious divorce.

Sadia Dehlvi : This well known Indian journalist got married to Raza Pervez , a Pakistani businessman.

After 12 years ; he suddenly sent her a triple talaq (divorce) in email.

Sania Mirza : This Indian tennis star got married to Shoaib Malik , a Pakistani cricketer.

But, their marriage ended in divorce.

Rita Luthra : This Indian woman got married to Zaheer Abbas , a Pakistani cricketer.

Their fathers were mutual friends. Well, Zaheer Abbas reportedly divorced his first wife to marry her.

Facts : There are no hard and fast rules.

But, all non Muslim brides have to convert to Islam.

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

Why is the Mandovi Express referred to as the "Food King" or "Konkan Tiffin Box" in Indian Railways?

 One Indian train features a 12-hour continuous feast of hot vada pav, fresh pomfret fry, and prawn curries. The menu is so legendary that passengers book tickets just to eat.

The Mandovi Express, operating daily between Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Madgaon in Goa, is affectionately known as the "Food King" or the "Konkan Tiffin Box." The moniker stems from the train’s onboard catering and the sheer volume of regional food served during its run. Because it is a daytime train—leaving Mumbai in the early morning and arriving in Goa by evening—passengers are awake for breakfast, lunch, and high tea. The schedule mirrors the culinary landscape of the route it travels.

For decades, the train’s pantry car was managed by Ahuja & Co., a private caterer that established a gold standard for railway food. Instead of the generic vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis found on most long-distance routes, the Mandovi Express operates more like a moving restaurant with a highly localized menu.

Breakfast begins as the train rolls through Maharashtra, featuring freshly made kanda poha, upma, sheera, and more of that signature hot vada pav. By lunchtime, the menu pivots to Goan and coastal specialties. The pantry staff serves up chicken xacuti, regional fish fries, spicy curries, and vegetable biryani, alongside traditional Maharashtrian thalis. As the afternoon wanes and the train crosses the lush estuaries of the Konkan coast, passengers are offered evening snacks ranging from spring rolls and tomato soup to kothimbir vadi and mirchi bajji.

The food is continuously prepared in the pantry car and hawked through the aisles with an efficiency that rivals commercial kitchens. While catering contracts on Indian Railways change periodically, the Mandovi Express’s reputation as the "Food King" ensures that operators maintain the extensive menu and high quality. The journey perfectly pairs the scenic beauty of the Konkan Railway with an unbroken stream of regional delicacies, making the train an attraction in its own right.

A 10104 Mandovi Express train waits at a station during its run along the Konkan Railway route. Photo by runran is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Why does our Sanatana Dharma have so many gods, and which god is supreme?

 All gods are manifestations of the supreme Brahman. Ultimately everything is Brahman.

An example is Arjuna’s prayer to Krishna in Vana parva

“You are Narayana, and you were Hari, O scorcher of enemies. You are Brahma, Soma, and Surya; Dharma, Dhatr, Yama, and Agni. You are Vayu, Vaisravana, Rudra, and Kala; the sky, the earth, and the directions. You are the Unborn, the teacher of all that moves and does not move, the Creator, O Supreme Person.

• 13, Kairata parva, Mahabharata.

Similarly Lord Vishnu says to Markandeya

“I am Vishnu, I am Brahma, and I am Sakra, the lord of the gods. I am King Vaisravana, and I am Yama, lord of the dead. I am Siva and Soma, and I am Kasyapa, the progenitor. I am Dhatr and Vidhatr, and I am the sacrifice itself, O best of Brahmins.

• Markandeya Samsya parva, Mahabharata.

The Rigveda famously says

They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, and Agni; he is also the heavenly Garutman, the beautiful-winged one. Though existence is One, the wise speak of it in many ways: they call it Agni, Yama, and Matarisvan.

• 1.164.46, Rigveda.

What are some unwritten rules everyone should know before visiting Dubai?

 

1. You cannot kiss in public places in Dubai, it is a very serious crime and if any Muslim person sees it, he can report you for it and it is also punishable by law.
2. You can drink as much alcohol as you want in licensed restaurants and hotels in Dubai. But don't drink in public; being drunk in public places can get you into trouble.
3. If you're not Muslim, you can eat and drink during Ramadan, but try to avoid eating in public.
4. Don't say you're a boyfriend or girlfriend when you go into hotels. This could get you the wrong look from locals.

But it's worth noting that only 15 percent of the UAE's population is local. The rest are Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Iranians, Egyptians, and Palestinians. Therefore, strict enforcement is very difficult. Therefore, some relaxation of rules may be possible for foreign nationals in Dubai.

Has Devi Adi Shakti (Goddess Ambika) shown her universal form?

 Yes, Bhagvati Adishakti has revealed her universal form several times. Not only she has shown her universal form, but she has also narrated the Gita to Himavan just before she was born as Shakti-Punja Parvati.

In various Puranas and Upapuranas, Bhagavati Ambika has shown her universal form and narrated the Shakti Gita, also known as the

• Parvati Gita in the Maha-bhagavata Purana,
• Devi Gita in the Devi Bhagavata Mahapurana,
• Haimavati Mahatmya in the Kurma Mahapurana.
• These narration are also found in the Shiva Mahapurana and the Skanda Mahapurana.

Uma has revealed her universal form and narrated Shakti Gita multiple times in the scriptures. ​These Shakti Gitas came into existence when the whole world was tormented by the havoc caused by Tarakasura. He had received a boon that he could only be killed by the son of Shiva and Shakti. However, Mother Shakti, in her form as Sati, had just immolated herself due to the arrogance of her father, Daksha. Meanwhile, Himavan was also praying to Adi Parashakti to get her as his daughter, while also desiring to receive divine knowledge from her. Thus, Jagadamba herself was born as the daughter of Himavan and Mena, becoming known as Parvati, and she narrated the sacred Gita to him.

• Kurma MahaPurana, Chapter 11

Shakti is one, and Shiva alone is called the possessor of power (Shaktiman). All other powers (Shaktis) and possessors of power (Shaktimans) originate directly from this supreme Shakti. A distinction between Shakti and Shaktiman is spoken of only in an outer or relative sense. In truth (paramarthatah), yogis and thinkers of ultimate reality see complete non difference (oneness) between them. All divine powers (Shaktis) are Goddess Girija (Parvati), and all possessors of power (Shaktimans) are Shankara (Lord Shiva). This special truth is declared in the Puranas by the knowers of Brahman.

And then the Purana states that Himavan, the father of the Goddess Parvati, ask about her identity. Devi states :

अहं वै सर्वभावानामात्मा सर्वान्तरा शिवा। शाश्वतैश्वर्यविज्ञानमूर्तिः सर्वप्रवर्तिका ॥ ६४ ॥ अनन्तानन्तमहिमा संसारार्णवतारिणी । दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे रूपमैश्वरम् ॥ ६५ ॥ I am indeed the inner self of all beings, residing deep within everything as pure auspiciousness. I am the concrete embodiment of eternal sovereignty and supreme knowledge, the sole cause behind every action in the cosmos. Possessing infinite and boundless glory, I am the one who ferries souls across the ocean of worldly existence. I now grant you divine sight; behold my supreme cosmic form!

Himavan saw the supreme form of the goddess (Parameshwari), a glorious manifestation radiating with the brightness of millions of suns, adorned with thousands of flames, and glowing like a hundred cosmic fires. It was fierce with sharp fangs, unapproachable, decorated with matted locks, holding a trident and bestowing boons, appearing terrifying yet deeply serene with a gentle face filled with infinite wonders.

​Marked by the crescent moon and shining with the brilliance of millions of moons, she wore a crown, held a mace, and was adorned with tinkling anklets, heavenly garlands, divine garments, and fragrant pastes. She held the conch and discus, possessed three eyes, wore elephant skin, and existed both inside and outside the universe, transcending everything.

​She was composed of all powers, pure white, eternal, taking all forms, with her lotus feet worshipped by Brahma, Indra, Vishnu, and the lords among yogis. Existing everywhere with hands, feet, eyes, heads, and faces in all directions, encompassing the entire cosmos, Himavan beheld this supreme Maheshwara form of the goddess.

​Upon seeing this grand Maheshwara form of the goddess, King Himavan felt both awe and deep spiritual joy. Establishing his inner self in the supreme self and meditating on the sacred syllable Om, he began praising the supreme goddess with her one thousand and eight holy names.

After seeing the Supreme Vishwaroopam of Maa Parvati, Himavan felt overwhelmed by fear and prayed to her to reveal a gentle, beautiful form instead. Granting his request, Goddess Parvati withdrew her cosmic vision and appeared in her beautiful two armed form.

Himavan prayed to the supreme goddess: "O Parameshvari, seeing this terrible cosmic form of yours, I am filled with fear. Please show me another form."

​Hearing these words from the mountain king Himavan, Goddess Parvati withdrew her vast cosmic form and revealed another gentle, benign form.

​This form possessed the complexion of blue lotus petals and carried the fragrance of a blue lotus. She appeared gentle, with two eyes and two arms, adorned with dark blue curls of hair. The soles of her lotus feet and her delicate hands were bright red like lotus petals. Her broad, beautiful forehead was illuminated by a glowing tilaka mark. All her limbs were soft, lovely, and decorated with ornaments. She wore a grand golden necklace across her chest, her lips were red like the bimba fruit with a gentle smile, and tinkling anklets graced her feet. She possessed a joyful face, divine radiance, and infinite cosmic glory.

This is how the supreme Vishwaroopa form of Parameshvari Parvati is described in the Kurma Mahapurana. Various divine forms are also mentioned as parts of the universal vision of Goddess Parvati, including Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

• सहस्त्रमूर्धानमनन्तशक्तिं सहस्त्रबाहुं पुरुषं पुराणम् । शयानमन्तः सलिले तथैव नारायणाख्यं प्रणतोऽस्मि रूपम् ॥ २४५ ॥ I bow down to that form of yours known as Narayana the ancient primeval Being with thousands of heads, thousands of arms, and infinite power, who reposes upon the cosmic waters.
• अव्याहतैश्वर्यमयुग्मनेत्रं ब्रह्मामृतानन्दरसज्ञमेकम्यु | गान्तशेषं दिवि नृत्यमानं नतोऽस्मि रूपं तव रुद्रसंज्ञम् ॥ २४८ ॥ I bow down to that form of yours known as Rudra the three-eyed lord with unimpeded supreme power, who alone tastes the blissful nectar of ultimate truth, who dances in the cosmic heavens, and who remains as the sole reality at the end of the ages.

---

• Mahabhagvata Purana, Chapter 15 to 19

The Mahabhagavata Purana also contains a similar narration regarding the Shakti Gita, which is identical to the Haimavati Mahatmya of the Kurma Mahapurana. This “Parvati Gita” begins by stating that Parameshvari Durga herself entered the womb of Menavati to be born as Parvati.

​Lord Shiva said: O best of sages! Goddess Durga, who is the mother of the three worlds, eternal, and the embodiment of Supreme Brahman, was prayed to by Giriraja (Himalaya) and his wife Menaka through intense and severe penance, requesting her to be born as their daughter.

​She was also requested by Lord Shiva (Mahesha), who was grieving the loss of Sati, to return. Thus, the Mother of the Universe, who is herself the complete Brahman (Purna Brahmamayi), entered the womb of Menaka.

​Thereafter, on an auspicious day, Queen Menaka gave birth to a daughter the Mother of the Universe, Goddess Bhagavati who possessed a face as serene as a lotus and radiated a divine aura. At that time, a rain of flowers showered everywhere.

Sri Devi said : O father, I grant you divine vision; behold my supreme cosmic form! Sever the doubts residing within your heart, and know me to be the embodiment of all deities."

​Shiva Said: Having spoken thus to the king of mountains, Himavan, and bestowing upon him supreme spiritual wisdom, Jagadamba then revealed her divine Maheshwara form.

So to enable him to behold her true majesty, she grants him divine sight. And then she revealed her true supreme form to her father. She is worshipped by Brahma, Indra, Vishnu, and the lords of yogis as the single source of all power.

Her initial radiant form shone with the light of tens of millions of moons, adorned with a lovely crescent moon on her head, holding a trident in her hand, with matted hair crowning her head. It was a terrifying and fierce form, blazing like thousands of cosmic fires, possessing five faces, three eyes, wearing a serpent as a sacred thread, draped in a tiger skin, and adorned with giant serpents as ornaments.

​Beholding this majestic form, Himavan was filled with wonder and pleaded: "O Mother, please show me another form!" Hearing his plea, she immediately withdrew that form and instantly revealed another.”

​O best of sages, the eternal cosmic form (Vishwaroopa) of the Goddess shone like the autumn moon, her head illuminated by a beautiful glowing crown. She held a conch, discus, mace, and lotus in her hands, glowing with three eyes, adorned with heavenly garlands, garments, and divine pastes. Her lotus feet were worshipped by hosts of great yogis, and her divine limbs hands, feet, eyes, heads, and faces extended in all directions.

​Seeing this wondrous cosmic vision, Himavan again bowed down to his daughter and, with eyes wide in amazement, spoke:

​Himalaya Said: "O Mother! Seeing this supreme cosmic form of yours filled with divine sovereignty, I am completely amazed. Please show me yet another form, O Parameshvari! Whoever receives your grace is free from sorrow and truly blessed. O Mother, bestow your mercy upon me; I bow to you again and again!"

Worshipping any of the Mahavidyas, including Lalita Tripurasundari and Bhuvaneshvari, leads to the attainment of Goddess Parvati alone.

O great minded king! She, the supreme goddess, exists in various forms as the Mahavidyas, who bestow complete liberation. O king, hear their names from me:

​Mahakali, Tara, Shodashi, Bhuvaneshvari, Bhairavi, Bagala (Bagalamukhi), Chhinna (Chhinnamasta), Mahatripurasundari, Dhumavati, and Matangi. These forms grant the fruit of ultimate liberation to humanity. By offering supreme devotion unto them, one undoubtedly attains liberation.

​O father, take refuge in any one of these forms through spiritual practice (kriyayoga). Surrendering your mind and intellect unto me, you shall without a doubt attain me alone.

As described in the scriptures, all the ten Dasha Mahavidyas including Lalita Tripurasundari and Bhuvaneshvari are non different manifestations of Goddess Parvati. By worshipping any of these forms, the devotee attains the supreme state of Parameshvari Parvati.

And not only the Mahavidyas, but she is also the receiver of all forms of worship. She is revealing that even when devotees worship other deities with true faith, their worship ultimately reaches her alone, as she is the supreme essence of all existence and the bestower of all spiritual fruits. This is similar to what Devi Suktam of Rigveda states ;

~ RigVeda Devi Suktam

I am the ruling Queen, the authority and amasser of treasures, full of wisdom, first of those who are worthy of worship through Yajna (fire and sacrifice). It is me, the Devas have installed in many places, in many directions, with many homes for me to enter and abide in.

O wise one! Those who worship me with undivided focus and deep devotion, I constantly grant them liberation. ​O king! My Shakti form naturally bestows liberation without great effort. Therefore, take refuge in this form, and you shall surely attain ultimate release.

​O king of kings! Even those devotees who worship other deities with sincere faith are actually worshipping me alone, without a doubt. ​Since I am the essence of all beings and the bestower of the fruits of all sacrifices, all worship reaches me. However, those who remain exclusively attached to those other deities find liberation extremely difficult to achieve.

Chapter two of Parvati Geeta mentions about Atman, Brahman and soul, which is similar to vedanta and upnishadic thoughts.

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• Srimad Devi Bhagvatam MahaPurana, 7th Canto, Chapter 33

​As we have already seen, after Mother Sati self-immolated, Lord Shiva completely detached himself from the world, causing the cosmic balance to be disrupted. All the deities went to the Himalayas and began worshipping the Goddess. Pleased with their devotion, Bhagvati Adyashakti Bhuneshwari appeared before them and assured them that she would be born as their daughter. In this text, Bhagvati Parvati narrated this Gita to Himavan from her highest state as Bhuvaneshvari Devi. Similar to other Puranas, Devi is described as all prevading, Trigunatmika and whole universe is her manifestations.

​Just as a single rope appears as a snake or a garland due to illusion, I alone manifest in the forms of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, without any doubt. An imagined entity has no reality apart from its underlying substratum; therefore, this entire universe exists solely through my existence, and it cannot be otherwise.

Himalaya said: O Ruler of the gods, O Goddess, if you have compassion for me, I wish to behold that very cosmic cosmic form of yours which you have described.

Knowing the inner wish of the gods, the auspicious Goddess, who fulfills the desires of her devotees like a wish fulfilling cow, revealed her true form. The gods beheld that transcendent cosmic form of the Supreme Goddess, whose head is the heavens, whose eyes are the sun and the moon, whose ears are the cardinal directions, and whose speech is the Vedas. Wind is celebrated as her breath, the entire universe is her heart, and the earth forms her thighs.

Prajapati Brahma, who is praised as the creator upon this earth, forms the generative organ of that cosmic form.

The oceans are the abdomen of the supreme Goddess, and the mountains are her bones. The rivers are declared to be her veins, and the trees are praised as her hair. Childhood, youth, and old age these stages mark her sublime movement. Clouds form the hair of her head, and dawn and dusk are the two garments of that sovereign Goddess.

​O King, the moon is remembered as the mind of the Mother of the Universe. Lord Vishnu is her faculty of higher wisdom, and Lord Rudra is remembered as her inner consciousness. All species such as horses reside in the hip region of that divine ruler, and all the lower realms from atala downward form the lower portions below her waist..

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• Shiva MahaPurana, Rudra Samitha, Parvati Khanda, Chapter 6

After the self-immolation of Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva entered deep meditation and detached himself from the world. To restore cosmic order, the gods along with Queen Mena and King Himavan performed intense penance to pray for the Mother Goddess to return. Pleased with their devotion, Bhagvati Durga revealed her magnificent divine form to them and promised to incarnate as their daughter, taking birth as Goddess Parvati.

The Gods said: O Durga, O wise one, O Mother of the Universe, O Supreme Goddess, victory to you! You are the embodiment of truth, devoted to truth, beyond truth, established in truth, and the origin of truth. We take refuge at your divine feet. O beloved of Shiva, O ruler of the cosmos, remover of the gods' distress! O Mother of the three worlds, Sharvani, all-pervading and compassionate to your devotees! O Ruler of the three realms, manifest yourself and fulfill the purpose of the gods. By your grace, we shall all find protection. All joyous beings in this world derive their ultimate happiness solely through you. Without you, nothing in the three worlds possesses beauty or splendor.

O Mother of the Universe, Supreme Goddess, Ambika! You have shown great mercy by appearing radiant before me. O Shivaa, you are the primordial power among all energies and the Mother of the three worlds. Ever beloved to Lord Shiva, you are the transcendent energy worshipped by all gods. Show grace, O Maheshvari, abide in my meditation in this divine form, and now manifest visibly as my daughter. Hearing these words of Mena, the wife of the mountain king, Goddess Shivaa became deeply pleased and addressed her.

​The Goddess said: O Mena, in the past you served me with immense devotion. Pleased with your devotion, I approached you to grant a boon. Hearing my words to ask for a boon, you chose: 'O Mahadevi, become my daughter and accomplish the welfare of the gods'. Granting you that boon with affection, I returned to my abode. Now, at the appointed time, O beloved of the mountain, I have incarnated as your daughter. I have assumed this divine form today so that you may remember my true nature; otherwise, appearing merely in human form, you would have remained unaware of who I truly am.

The similar narration is also found in Skanda MahaPurana,

Himavān said:

49. O you goddess of broad eyes, who are you? Tell me. I have a strong doubt.

The goddess said:

50. Know me to be the greatest power resorting to Maheśvara, whom those desirous of liberation look upon as unique, immutable and one (only).

51. I shall give you divine sight. See my divine form. Speaking this much the Goddess herself gave special power to Himavat.

52-57. (Himavat) saw the Highest Lord, resembling crores of suns, an orb of light, clear, encompassed with the row of thousand flames, resembling hundreds of destructive fires at the end of the world, fearful due to the fangs, exciting, adorned with a mass of matted hair, very calm, of a mild face, full of endless wonders, having signs like the lunar digits, having lustre like that of crores of moons, having a crown, with a mace in his hand, adorned with anklets, having put on a divine chaplet and garments, having smeared the body with divine fragrant substances, holding a conch and a disc, desirable, having three eyes, clad in hide, residing in the Egg (of the universe) and out of it, being external, internal and the highest, full of all power, bright, (and adorned) with all ornaments, whose lotus-like feet were saluted by Brahmā, Indra, Upendra and best yogins, who reached everything with His hands and feet, and eyes, head and face, and who remained after having occupied everything.

58-62. Seeing the Lord of Nandī, the highest one, i.e. Maheśvara, along with the Goddess, the king, Himālaya Mountain, full of fear and (at the same time) delighted in mind, concentrating himself, remembering Oṃkāra, praising Him with eight thousand epithets, again saluted him, and spoke with folded hands: “O highest goddess, I am now afraid of your divine form that has come up. So (please) show another (form).” That goddess Pārvatī, thus addressed by that Mountain.

~ Skanda MahaPurana, Vastrāpatha-kṣetra-Māhātmya, Chapter 9

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गिरिसुताय धीमहि तन्नो गौरी प्रचोदयात् 🌹