Who were the Naga's in Indian mythology?

 

Ulupi

Ulupi was a Naga Princess and she married Arjuna and with her free will. She had a son named Iravan who fought from his father's side and died in Mahabharata war. Ulupi is known to be a free willed and independent lady who married Arjuna because she fell in love with him.

Sulochana

Sulochana was also a Naga Princess and she was daughter of Sheshnaga. She was married to Indrajit (Meghnad) and when he died in the war, she went to Shri Ram to take back his cut head. He offered her to revive Meghnad as she wanted to self immolate herself but she refused and took the head and followed her husband in death.

Kumudvati

Kumudvati was second wife but Chief Queen of Kusha, King of Ayodhya. She had wished to marry him and they got married after he threatened to annihilate her entire race if he didn't find his arm bracelet which he lost when he was sporting in the waters of Sarayu with his first wife Champika and his other junior wives. Her brother Kumud offered the bracelet and her hand and he accepted her. Their eldest son Atithi became the new King after his death and she followed Kusha in his death as she couldn't live without him.

Nagas are divine creatures, descendants of Kadru and Kashyap. They worship lord of Nagas. Kumudvati was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and Kusha had built Nageshwarnath Temple near Sarayu river for her to pray.

What are the strange facts about Hindu mythology?

 Women of Substance: A journey through the Devadasis culture in India

The Devadasis culture was a prominent practice in many Southern parts of India centuries ago where the “Dasis(females) ” were served to Devs(Gods and their Wives ).

The Dasis were basically the courteans who performed dance, music and other chores within the palaces or outdoors. Such Devadasis were invited for essential rituals, royal coronations and other ceremonies including at the time of worship in temples.

The cultural practice of Devdasis was a regular practice and the inscriptions found in many temples in South India common practice in Vishnu temples dating back to A.D 966 reveal that the word Devdasi was a terminology used for talented women who belonged to lower sections of the society

The Devadasis were sophisticated, intellectual and respected in the community as they were the epitome of culture, arts and were “married to the gods”. The Devadasis during the Dwapar Yuga were served to gods and their wives including the imperial almighty. Even Lord Krishna were gifted 1001 virgin Devadasis when he was welcomed by Dhritshartra to parley the negotiations between the Kauravas and Pandavas before the war began

The concept, later was transformed to Devadasis who would not please the king and their wives anymore , but dedicate their lives to the temples by participating in music, dance forms, art and culture, but are married to gods.

What does the depiction of Kali with Shiva and Mahakal reveal about the roles of these deities in Hindu mythology?

 It’s a deep concept in Tantra.

The image of Goddess Kali with Shiva & Mahakal shows a very deep concept in Tantra. These 3 aren't 3 but actually 1 Ultimate Truth represented in 3 forms.

Firstly, Shiva is depicted lying down in Shavasana, above him is Mahakal who is Shiva himself but in a more intense and fierce form. Above Mahakal, it's Maa Kali who is seated.

It is actually the depiction of the energies.

Firstly, Shiva as the auspicious, benevolent one serves as the base. This is the calm, peaceful force, the Consciousness.

Above him is Mahakal, the fierce form of Shiva who is the controller of time, he is the Ultimate Ruler who brings the transformation, the necessary change and evolution. Above Mahakal is Mahakali, his Queen, the Ultimate Energy who acts as the unstoppable force who makes things happen.

Now this depiction is not about superiority of one over the other, it is the perfect depiction of the static, still Aadhara (Shiva) upon which the active forces Mahakal (Shiva) and Kali (Shakti) function.

The idea is that when you are absolutely still (Shiva), it serves as the foundation for the transformation (Mahakal) and then you turn into the unstoppable, uncontrollable force (Kali). So the peaceful, calm and stable Shiva serves as the base for the transformation (Mahakal) who then eventually becomes Mahakali. Kali (Shakti) is Shiva himself at 100% femininity (dynamic force) when Shiva puts down his masculinity to 0 level (static), the more stable and still remains, his Shakti emerges from him with more intensity.

Mahakal is the perfect balance, equilibrium between the inactive state of Shiva and the unstoppable force of Kali. The union of Shiva and Shakti is the perfect representation of the functioning of Prakriti over Purush as the Aadhara (Base).

This depiction serves as a great lesson in understanding the basic Tantra in a sense that if you want to be unstoppable in growth, if you want nothing to control you then you must have a solid base which leads you to a transformation into that powerful personality. It can be understood in this way too.

So Shiva and his Mahakal swaroop along with Kali are the forces within us that make us function properly. Without Shakti, there is no life, we would be Shava (corpse) and without Shiva, there is no stability, we’ll be wild and crazy. For functioning, Energy is needed but to hold that energy, consciousness is needed. That's the play of consciousness and energy that together make things happen properly.

Jai Mahakal 🙏 Jai Mahakali 🙏

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.

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

Who were the top 5 most powerful demons in Hindu mythology?

 The top 5 strongest Asuras in my opinion would be:

1. Madhu and Kaitabha

Born in the Kshirsagar from Vishnu's ear wax, this two Asuras were astronomically powerful & performed severe penance to get a boon of invincibility from Goddess Shakti. They challenged Vishnu and fought with him for 5,000 celestial years (an insane feat). Later, the Devi suggested Vishnu to use a trick to beat this demons before they could destroy all of creation. Using his genius mind, Vishnu asked for a boon from the two Asuras, they agreed, and the boon was that they will die by his hands right now. The Asuras granted the boon, then got terrified as they knew they have been tricked.

Vishnu took his Vishwaroopa form and said "even an infinite number of Asuras like you would be nothing but atoms compared to me. As the eternal protector of the universe, I shall now vanquish you for your sins." Then he used the Sudarshana Chakra & beheaded them.

2. Mahishasura

The buffalo demon who almost defeated all gods & deities, was ultimately slayed by goddess Durga in a 9 day battle.

3. Tripurasura

A trio of 3 Asura brothers, who had extraordinarily powerful boons. The might of almost all gods was needed to beat them

4. Mahabali

A benevolent and righteous demon king, he was almost unstoppable until Vishnu incarnated as Vamana to beat him. Later he was banished to the underworld

5. Raktabija

The Asura whose blood drops created his clones whenever they dropped on the ground, making him almost unbeatable until goddess Kali manifested herself and started collecting his blood drops in a bowl to prevent him from multiplying. He was then ultimately killed.

What are the strange facts about Hindu mythology?

• Yog nidra : According to hinduism ; Lord Vishnu - provider of this cosmos- sleeps for four long months .
• Yog nindra : Unlike human beings ; he adopts Yog nidra to rejuvenate himself .

• Dev shayani : This event is known as Dev shayani ekadashi .
• Chaturmaas : It means during four months (according to hindu lunar calendar) ; monks and traditional devotees do not travel or indulge in hectic professional work.
• Generally, people avoid marriages and social ceremonies.

• Sacred : Generally, devotees worship Lord Narayana or Shiva and respective observe fasts.
• Prayer :It is treated as a sacred time to pray or meditate.
• Rain : These months also include rainy season or early winter.
• Ayurveda : Well, ayurveda forewarns all to stay cautious of many water borne diseases.
• Food :Many devotees often consume a single meal and avoid successively abstain from vegetables, curd, milk and lentil .

• Awake : According to hindu traditions; Lord Vishnu awakes from Yog nidra on Prabodhini Ekadashi -a sacred date in hindu lunar calendar.
• From that day; many sacred events like marriage, religious ceremonies resume again.
• Note : Today is Dev Shayani Ekadashi.
• Pic Credits : Google/Web