Who is Lord Satyanarayan?

 Satyanarayana is the eternal form of Supreme Lord Vishnu himself.

I worship Lord Satyanarayana who has eyes like newly blossomed lotuses, who is the playful consort of Bhagavati Lakshmi, who is four armed, whose body shines like golden rays, the only source for the protection of the world and the one who is like a smoke-emitting form (symbolise destruction) for his enemies.

• Page 390, Pratisarga parva, Bhavishya Purana.

Lord Hari is called Satyanarayana because his form is truth itself

Lord Narayan bestows fruits in Satya Yuga and Treta Yuga in the form of Vishnu, and in Dvapara Yuga, He grants fruits by assuming many forms. However, in Kali Yuga, the omnipresent Lord Satyanarayan directly grants fruits. There are four pillars of Dharma – truth, purity, penance, and charity. Among these, truth is the foremost Dharma. The world's conduct is based on truth, and Brahman is established in truth. Therefore, the worship of Lord Satyanarayana who is the form of truth itself is considered to be supremely excellent.

• Page 391, Pratisarga parva, Bhavishya Purana.

The story of the worship of Satyanarayana

Once during Kali Yuga, Narada visited the earth and saw the plight of the humans who were trapped in the sufferings of the material world. Wishing to bring joy to the worlds Narada went to Vaikhunta and saw the supreme God of the gods.

Narada requested Lord Vishnu for a solution to rescue humanity from its sufferings. Lord Vishnu then revealed to Narada about the Vow (Vrata) of Satyanarayana. The Lord informed Narada that whoever Successfully follows this Vrata, will obtain all pleasures in their present life and will also enjoy the merits they earned in their next life as well.

What are some facts about Lord Hanuman that everybody should know?

Lord Hanuman ji is among the most popular Indian deities.

Ramayana : Legends claim, Lord Hanuman was the first to compose Ramayana.

He composed saga of Lord Rama with his nails in Gandhmardan mountains.

But, he discarded it in Ganga ji to please Saga Valmiki.

Music : Many musicians consider Hanuman ji as an expert classical musician.

He proverbially learnt music from Devarishi Narad

Many classical ragas (Malkauns, Hindol , Hanuman Todi, Vasantvarali are associated with him.

Astrology : Hanuman ji is associated with Hanuman Jyotish.

It is a form of Prashna Kundali that answers specific questions related to life.

Healer : Hanuman ji is known as expert Vaidya (physician)

He is present as Prana (life force) inside us.

His revived Lord Lakshmana with Sanjeevani booti , a mysterious elixir.

Wrestling : Hanuman ji is patron of wrestling.

His immense strength ; mental toughness and ethics inspire many wrestlers.

King : Lord Hanuman ji is King of Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya.

Lord Rama coronated him as ruler of Hanuman Garhi to spread Ram Katha.

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram Namo Parbatipataye Har Har Mahadev

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai Kripa Karo Gurudev Ki Nai

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

Why is Lord Venkateswara not included as one of the Dashavataras?

 

Lord Venkateswara is considered as an incarnation of Lord Govinda (Krishna)

His incarnation as Sri Venkateshwara is meant to nullify effects of Kaliyua.

Vishnu : Devotees believe, Lord Sri Venkateshwara is composite of all 10 avatars.

His birth is linked with many legends associated with Lord Sri Krishna.

Yashoda : In Dwapar Yuga ; Lord Sri Krishna felt he could not serve his foster mother Yashoda.

She could not saw him married and his coronation and elegance life.

Thus, she incarnated as Vakula devi to watch her son Srinivas married to Padmavathi.

Govinda : Many devotees associate him Bal Krishna (Govinda).

Devotees claim, Sri Krishna reincarnated as Bala ji to save them from miseries of Kaliyug.

They chant Govinda as it proverbially appeases Lord Venkateswara more.

Kaliyuga vardan : Lord Vishnu appeared as Venkateswara to save his devotees from Kaliyuga.

In Kaliyug (dark age) ; his devotion saves devotees from mundane and supernatural ills.

Swayam Bhu : Lord Venkateswara appeared in Swayambhu (self manifested) form.

His idol was not installed by human or divine beings.

Eternal : Some traditions claim, unlike other incarnation ; Narayan will stay up to end of Kaliyug.

He has simple objective to remind his devotees of Bhakti and Sewa (selfless service)

Facts : His purpose is to save his devotees in Kaliyuga.

Being Narayana , he symbolizes all ten incarnations.

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram Govinda Govinda Govinda Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai Kripa Karo Gurudev Ki Nai

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

Who was Lord Rama's first guru?

Lord Rama , seventh incarnation of Lord Sri Hari , adored Guru parampara.

Maharishi Vashisht was first guru (spiritual guide) of Lord Rama and his brothers.

Vashisth : Lord Rama was educated by Maharishi Vashisth ji about Vedas and royal ethics.

He also taught Lakshmana ji, Bharat ji and Shatrughn ji.

Guru : Sage Vashisht was Kul guru (clan guru) of Ikshvaku dynasty.

He also mentored Bhishm Pitamah , Raja Harishchandra ; Manu ; Raghu ; Dileep and Dashrath ji.

Philosopher : He is also known for Yoga Vashisht , part of Advaita Vedanta.

This philosophical text is part of Maharamayan.

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Jai Maharishi Vashisht Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai Kripa Karo Gurudev Ki Nai

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

How many incarnations did Lord Shiva take?

 Lord Shiva in total has 84 incarnations as per Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Shaiva Siddhanta, and the Shaiva itihasa, known as Shivarahasya. Therefore in any city of Lord Shiva such as Ujjain, Varanasi, Kathmandu, or Kanchipuram (Kashi of the South), 84 ghats are present upon the banks of the sacred river flowing through that city.

• 28 Rajasic incarnations: Lord Shiva did pastimes with various deities in these 28 incarnations, therefore Lord Shiva is also known as Devadideva, lord of the deities.
• Mahesha (also known as Maheshwara, pastimes with various deities, glory described in Maheshwara Khanda of Skanda Purana)
• Sunartaka (Nataraja, bewildered everyone with his divine blissful anandadayi dance, personalities such as Himalaya, Menaka, Durga i.e. daughter of Menaka, Brahma, Lord Vishnu, all the parshadas of Himalaya, all the divine sages including Narada, in the durbar of Himalaya, therefore Lord Shiva being Ishwara can bewilder anyone)
• Avadhuta (the chastisement of Indra deva)
• Pippalada (the chastisement of Shani deva)
• Sureshwara (the pastime with Upamanyu, Indra deva, and the deities)
• Devaraja (pastimes with Yama dutas and the brahmanical cult)
• Jatila (pastimes with the hermits in the Himalayas)
• King Madhata (the sovereign of bharat varsha, who ruled from Omkareshwar, glory described in Reva/Narmada Khanda of Skanda Purana)
• Dwijeshwara (the divine tiger form, the test and liberation of Bhadrayu & Kirtimalini in Anandavana)
• Bhikshuvarya (the rescue of Satyaratha)
• Sadhudwija (the test of Durga i.e. daughter of Himalaya and Menaka)
• Baidyanatha (the destruction of Ravana's arrogance)
• Krishnadarshana (the preaching of Raja Dharma to prince Nabhaga)
• Parashara (the father of Vyasa)
• Atharva (the sage of Atharva Veda)
• Ribhu (the composer of Shiva Rahasya, the itihasa dealing with Lord Shiva's pastimes in the spiritual abode Anandavana)
• Ushana (sage Ushana, the pastimes mentioned in Ausunasa Purana)
• Dakshina (the preacher of Ishwara Gita in Naimisharanya, Lord Shiva in this form declared that he is the supreme lord Ishwara and the sovereign of the creation)
• Kala (the consort of Kali)
• Tar (the consort of Tara)
• Shodash (the consort of Shodashi)
• Bhuvaneshwar (the consort of Bhuvaneshwari)
• Chinnamastaka (the consort of Chinnamasta)
• Bhairava (the consort of Bhairavi)
• Dhumavata (the consort of Dhumavati)
• Bagalamukha (the consort of Bagalamukhi)
• Matanga (the consort of Matangi)
• Kamal (the consort of Kamala)
• 28 Sattvik incarnations: Lord Shiva did these 28 pastimes mainly in spiritual Anandavana, the holy abode, also known as Varanasi, with his divine consort Durga (Shakti), along with Brahma (Brahman) and Vishnu (Bhagavan), hence Lord Shiva is also known as Ishwara (the highest deity), the one above OM (Brahma) and the origin of OM (Vishnu/father of Brahma).
• Adipurush (Ishwara, the primordial lord), the pastimes mentioned in Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana, the lord of Anandavana
• Sadyojata (first expansion)
• Vamadeva (second expansion)
• Ishana (third expansion)
• Aghora (fourth expansion)
• Tatpurusha (fifth and final expansion)
• Sarva (first cosmic body)
• Bhava (second cosmic body)
• Rudra (third cosmic body)
• Ugra (fourth cosmic body)
• Bhima (fifth cosmic body)
• Pashupati (sixth cosmic body)
• Isha (seventh cosmic body)
• Mahadeva (this form of Lord Shiva stays in Kailasha, the final & eighth cosmic body, the pastimes with deities and various species, the pastimes described in Kailasha Samhita of Shiva Purana)
• Ardhanarishwara/half Shiva half Shakti (the bewilderment of Brahma/Brahma Vimohana Leela, Brahma after beholding this divine Shaiva form started the process of creation)
• Grihapati (the vigraha/idol from of Shiva which resides in the abode of Himalaya and all the deities, the art form of Grihapati is depicted at the end of this answer)
• Vatuka (the divine child form of Shiva, equal to millions of cupids, pastimes as a child in the spiritual Anandavana dham)
• Kalabhairava (the chopping of Brahma's fifth head and destruction of Brahma's ego)
• Attahasa (the killing of Matsya incarnation)
• Ruru (the killing of Kurma incarnation)
• Mahakala (the killing of Varaha incarnation)
• Sharabha (the killing of Narasimha incarnation)
• Kankala (the killing of Vamana incarnation)
• Virabhadra (the killing of Yajnapurusha incarnation)
• Yaksheshwara (the chastisement of gods after Samudra manthan)
• Vrishabha (half man half bull incarnation of Shiva)
• Yati (the swan incarnation of Shiva)
• Nandishwara (the bull vehicle of Shiva, the final 28th of the Sattvik incarnations)
• 28 Tamasik incarnations: Lord Shiva did pastimes with sages, seers, various species, men, and the dark creatures of the underworld in these 28 incarnations.
• Shweta
• Sutara
• Damana
• Suhotra
• Kanka
• Lokakshi
• Yogisabha
• Dadhivahana
• Rishabha (the yogi form of Shiva who expanded the art of yoga)
• Bhringa
• Kali (a divine form of Shiva, not Goddess Kali)
• Puru
• Bali (not demon king Bali)
• Gautama
• Vedashiras
• Gokarna
• Guhavasi
• Shikhandi (not Shikhandi of Mahabharata)
• Jatimali
• Atta
• Dvaruka (the founder of Dvarukavana, present day Nageshwara Jyotirlinga of Gujarat)
• Langali (the founder of modern city of Varanasi)
• Kalanjara
• Shuli
• Mundishwara
• Sahishnu
• Somnath (the founder of Prabhasa Kshetra, modern day shoreline of Gujarat, the glory mentioned in Prabhasa Khanda of Skanda Purana)
• Lakulisha (the reviver of Shaivism in Kali Yuga, born in Kayavarohan, modern day Gujarat, founder of Lakulisha Shaivism)

These are the complete list of 84 divine incarnations of Lord Shiva as per the Sanatana scriptures.

Image courtesy : Google

Who is Lord Dattatreya?

Guru : Lord Dattatreya is known as Jagatguru (universal guide)

Learning :Interestingly, he learnt 24 lessons from 24 different teachers.

These teachers were planets ; five natural elements ; human beings ; birds and reptiles.

Well, he leant from sun ; moon, earth, air, sky, water, fire, pigeon, python, sea, moth, bee, elephant, deer, fish, bird, snake, spider), Pingala, child, maiden, arrow-maker.

He adored them as his spiritual guide.

Trinity: Lord Dattatreya represents Lord Brahma ; Sri Hari and Mahadev.

Living : Ardent devotees believe, Lord Dattattreya is ever living and roams around the world.

Girnar : Many yogis believe that he lives in hills of Girnar in Gujarat.

Juna Akhara : Lord Dattatreya is Ishta (personal deity) of Juna Akhara, the largest Hindu monastic sect.

Simple : Guru Dattatreya is known as the epitome of humility; selflessness and wisdom.

Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Sri Gurudev Dutt Jai Sita Ram Narayan Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Shiv Shambo Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai Kripa Karo Gurudev Ki Nai !

Pic Credits : Google Images/ Web

Why is Lord Narasimha considered the most powerful avatar of Vishnu?

Don’t treat Lord Vishnu avatars like Marvel cinematic universe characters. All Vishnu avatars are powerful in their own way, including Vaman Avatar.

A dwarf measures the whole universe in two steps, isn’t it powerful?

Rama leaves luxurious life and goes to forest for 14 years, if this is not powerful then what it is?

Krishna influenced the outcome of Mahabharata war without lifting a weapon, is it not the power at its peak?

Each avatar of Bagwaan Vishnu, including Narashima avatar, was powerful.

Who were the individual enemies killed by Lord Krishna?

 Lord Krishna slayed many wicked demons and kings. Here are the most famous ones mentioned in Mahabharata and Harivamsa.

Putana

Bhoja Kamsa’s nursemaid was known by the name of Putana. She was seen in the middle of the night, in the form of a bird. She roared repeatedly, in a voice that was like that of a tiger. Her breasts flowing with milk, she stood on the axle of the cart. While people slept in the night, she offered her breasts to Krishna. Krishna sucked on her breast and sucked out her life too. With her breast torn out, she screamed. The bird suddenly fell down on the ground.

• 50, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Arishta

In the encounter, Krishna and the bull sought to counter each other. It was as if two quivering clouds had clashed against each other. He destroyed the insolence of his strength. He kicked him between the horns with his feet. He squeezed Arishta’s throat, as if it was a wet cloth. He uprooted the left horn, which was like Yama’s staff. He then struck him on the face. Severely struck, he died. His horns were shattered and his bones were broken. The danava’s shoulder buckled. Vomiting blood, he fell down, like a cloud releasing water.

• 64, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Keshi

Keshi, supreme among horses, engaged with Krishna. Using his front legs, he struck Krishna on the chest. Using his hooves, the powerful one repeatedly struck him on the sides.

As they engaged, the powerful and infinitely valorous Krishna also became angry. Using his hand, he struck him in the mouth. He was incapable of biting the hand, or withstanding the blow. His teeth were broken and torn from their foundations and he started to vomit frothy blood. His teeth were uprooted, his lips mangled and his throat choked.

Having brought about the destruction of Keshi and divided his body into two in the encounter, the lotus-eyed Krishna stood there, smiling.

• 67, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Chanura

Devaki’s son played with Chanura for a long time. But on discerning Kamsa’s sentiments, he summoned up all his strength. The earth trembled. The arena started to move around. The best of gems fell down from Kamsa’s crown. Chanura had already lived his life. With his arms, Krishna bent him. He struck him on the head with his fist and on the chest with his knee. Tears and blood flowed from his eyes and his eyeballs emerged from their sockets, hanging like bells from a seat on an elephant. With his eyes gouged out, he fell down in the middle of the arena. Bereft of life and with his lifespan over, Chanura lay down on the ground.

• 75, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Kamsa

In the midst of that assembly in the arena, Krishna used his arms, which were like clubs, and seized Kamsa by the hair on his head. The crown, decorated with gold and diamonds, fell down. His head was seized by Krishna’s hands. With the hair grasped by the hands, Kamsa was unable to make any efforts.

The immensely radiant king of Bhoja was thus dragged by Krishna along that arena. As his body was dragged along, potholes were created there. In that arena, Krishna played around and dragged him along. When he had lost his life, Krishna flung Kamsa’s body a long distance away.

• 76, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Narakasura

Naraka, who terrified large numbers of gods, fought with Purushottama, as if he was the energetic Madhu’ fighting with Madhusudana. Madhusudana fought with Naraka for some time. After this, using his blazing and fierce chakra, he severed him into two. Divided into two parts by the chakra, his body fell down on the ground. Like the summit of a mountain, it was severed into two parts by the chakra.

• 91, Harivamsa, Mahabharata, CE.

Shishupala

When he was talking in this way, the illustrious Madhusudana, the destroyer of his enemies, angrily sliced off his head with the chakra. The mighty-armed one fell down like a mountain struck by the vajra.

• 42, Shishupala Vadha parva, Mahabharata.

Shalva

When Soubha fell down, the chakra returned to my hand. I took it up once more and hurled it, saying, "Go to Shalva." Shalva was about to hurl a giant club in that great battle. The chakra suddenly blazed up with its energy and cut him into two. When that brave one was killed, the danavas were frightened and lost their senses. Chased by my arrows, they lamented and fled towards.

• 23, Kairata Parva, Mahabharata.

Ekalavya

He was challenged by Ekalavya, the king of Nishadha, who was thought to be invincible. But Krishna killed him and robbed him of his life, forcefully smashing him against a rock, like Jambha.

• 47, Yana Sandhi parva, Mahabharata.