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

What are some interesting facts about Shiva?

 20 incredible feats of Shiva :

• Glorified in Vedas, Agamas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Shivarahasya, 10 out of 18 Mahapuranas, 10 out of 18 Upapuranas. The largest Purana, Skanda Purana is dedicated to him.
• Defeated all the devas combined together. None ever (other than Krishna & Arjuna and some asuras with boons) has defeated all the devas combined together.
• Defeated the most powerful entity of the creation in the form of Lord Vishnu at least four times (Daksha yagna episode, Sharabheshwara leela, Vrishabeshwara leela, Yaksheshwara leela) if not more.
• Only entity ever known who destroyed Lord Vishnu's personal armour which was embedded upon demon Sankhachuda.
• Only entity ever known who defeated Arjuna (a portion of Lord Vishnu).
• The deity who drank the Kalakuta poison.
• Only entity ever known who stopped the Sudarshana chakra other than Ravana. As Bhadra (or in some versions Kshetrapala) in Daksha yagna episode. As Hanuman in front of Lord Krishna's palace.
• Perhaps the only entity who was worshipped in all ages and by all.
• An entity who is the chief divinity of all indigenous mythologies throughout the planet, starting from Batara Guru in Indonesian mythology to Maheshwara in Indian mythology (I prefer the word mythology rather than Itihasa since it sounds better). It signifies his lingam (phallic emblem) has been worshipped throughout all ages.
• He can grant immortality if pleased. He has granted immortality to many notable of his devotees, namely, Nandi, Bhringi (Andhaka), Parashurama, Shweta (as per Linga Purana), Markandeya (as per South Indian Shaivism texts), Upamanyu, Banasura, Surya, and Ashwatthama (as per Shiva Purana).
• He is himself immortal being the master of Yama, the presiding deity of death.
• He saved his devotee Shweta from the clutches of Yama as mentioned in Skanda Purana. Only Lord Krishna other than him has ever achieved the feat of bringing back his own devotee (Sandipani's son) from Yamaloka. An impossible feat otherwise.
• He was the entity for whom even Lord Krishna abandoned the Kurukshetra war and visited Kailasha for paying a lifetime tribute.
• As per umpteen instances in Mahabharata, Lord Krishna has worshipped him in many forms in millions of aeons throughout time in various incarnations, since incarnations of Narayana are multiple, much more than just ten.
• He was the only entity who was in reality worshipped by Lord Krishna, rather than just paying tribute. Also he is the only one who is worshipped by Lord Vishnu (original form of Lord Krishna) at any time, place, or position.
• Included in the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, which forms of basis of the supreme trio in all religious dogmas within the Hindu Sanatana dominion.
• He was worshipped by Lord Rama as mentioned in Ramcharitamanas, Narasimha Purana, Kamba Ramayana, and many popular versions of Ramayana, including being mentioned in Valmiki's version after the war while Lord Rama was returning from Lanka in Pushpaka vimana.
• The only entity who ever defeated Balarama (the direct manifestation and first expansion of Lord Krishna) and rendered him inactive in battle. The instance of Shiva Jvara , the cold fever. Balarama's defeat by Shiva Jvara is mentioned in Harivamsa, Vishnu Purana, Agni Purana, and Brahma Purana.
• One of the largest denominations of Sanatan dharma concerns his worship as the supreme deity, known as Shaivism.
• He is the consort of Parvati, the most popular Hindu goddess of them all (regardless of various religious sects) who has killed the most number of demons. He himself has killed crores of demons even some of them who has defeated Lord Vishnu. Some notable demons killed by him includes Jalandhara, Andhaka, Apasmara, Gajasura, Tripura, and Sankhachuda.

This answer is based upon these texts of Sanatan dharma including texts of Southeast Asian Shaivism :

• Mahabharata
• Harivamsa
• Shiva Purana
• Skanda Purana
• Linga Purana
• Vamana Purana
• Kurma Purana
• Vayu Purana
• Agni Purana
• Padma Purana
• Vishnu Purana
• Varuna Purana
• Ribhu Gita
• Ishwara Gita
• Javanese Saivism
• Pitutur Agung Sang Batara Guru

An illustration of Shiva destroying Tripura (the three invincible demon citadels) below for your interest.

Image courtesy : Google search

Why do Asuras worship Lord Shiva?

Asuras are a class of divine beings or power-seeking deities related to the more benevolent Devas (also known as Suras) in Hinduism - Wikipedia.

Who are Asuras? Why are both Suras and Asuras devine? Why are Asuras symbolized as more powerful than Suras? Why do Suras and Asuras transform from one to antoher?

Why does Vishnu takes Mohini form and ensures that only devas get Amruta and become eternal and Asuras, who too participated in Samudra Manthan, don’t get it?

Why are killing of Asuras important part of Hindu festivals?

Why are gods Agni, Varuna, Rudra and Indra also glorified as Asuras in Rig Veda?

To understand the mysterious role played by Asuras in Hinduism, we must realize that human beings are created to use seven stage muscle tone based thinking and all scriptures are about the seven stage thinking mechanism only.

For an idea to become an action the idea has to pass through the seven stages and indicate that the idea is compatible with all other ideas of life.

However, an idea may stagnate at any stage and refuse to become an action. Then we would become totally helpless.

It is here that Asura steps in and converts the incompatible idea into a successful action.

It is for this reason that Asuras always shown to be phyisically more powerful than gods.

Why is Shiva associated with Asuras?

Brahma is a god of thinking, Vishnu equally good for thinking and action, and Shiva is a god of action. Thus, it is at Shiva stage that the idea is either converted into an action or allowed to get abolished. It is abolition of ideas at Shiva stage the reason why Shiva is associated with grave yard.

However, Asuras can still convert such incompatible ideas, to be abolished, into action. This would tide over the crisis. However, if this is unregulated then all activities of our life would become incompatible among themselves.

Asuras are powerful and uncontrollable. They are divine because they enable us to tide over a crisis. However, in the long run they would be disastrous. It is for this reason that they are supposed to worship Shiva, the most powerful Hindu god and the god of Logic.

What weapons did God Shiva give to Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman and Parshuram? How do they work while used in battles?

 1.Lord Ram had the Pashupatastra weapon of Lord Shiva. It is a celestial weapon which can be discharged by the mind, the eyes, words, or a bow. Pashupatastra is capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. The power of the Pashupatastra was such that it was forbidden to be used against lesser enemies or lesser warriors. It is one of the six Mantramukta weapons that cannot be resisted. It was given to him by Sage Vishwamitra who received it directly from Lord Shiva.

As per the scriptures Lord Ram used Pashupatastra which carried the blessing of Lord Shiva against Lord Shiva after the Ashwamedha Yagna (that one who will use this weapon will never be defeated) as he was ordered by Lord Shiva himself.

(The aforesaid is not there in the Ramayan written by Sage Valmiki)

Arjun did years of rigorous penance and pleased by Arjun, Lord Shiva granted him an irresistible weapon Pashupatastra which he received directly from Lord Shiva as per Mahabharata Varna , Vana Parva, Chapter 3, but Arjun never used the said astra.

2. Lord Parshuram was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and after a long penance he received a Parshu (a weapon) from Lord Shiva as a boon thus the name Parshuram was given to him. Lord Shiva also taught him warfare.

Lord Parshuram killed all the male Kshatriyas on the earth 21 successive times with his Parshu. Lord Parshuram also clipped the thousand arms of Kartavirya Arjuna(Sahasrarjun), one by one, with his Parshu and killed him.

3. Lord Hanuman was blessed by Lord Shiva assuring him safety with a Kavaj (band) that would protect him for life. He also got the boon of longevity, scriptural wisdom from Lord Shiva.

4. Laxman used various weapons in his war with Meghnad( Ravan’s son). He used Varunaastra which Meghnaad failed. He used Sauryaastra to neutralize Meghnaad’s Aagneyastra . Then Lakshman had to use powerful weapon named Maheshwar astra to stop Meghnad’s asur weapon (Shoots a really fast fiery beam). Maheswar astra is the weapon of Lord Shiva.

Meghnad was eventually killed when Lakshman used Indrastra (An Astra of Lord Indra, It would bring about a 'shower' of arrows, like rain, from the sky).

Sadhana

How is Lord Shiva born?

 Shiva was born from the rage of Narayana!!!

When Brahma's night wore off, through the grace of that Being of immeasurable energy, a lotus made its appearance first, O thou of eyes like lotus petals. Within that lotus was born Brahma, springing from Aniruddha's grace. Towards the evening of Brahma's day, Aniruddha became filled with wrath, and as a consequence of this, there sprang from his forehead a son called Rudra vested with the power of destroying everything (when the hour for destruction comes). These two, viz., Brahma and Rudra, are the foremost of all the deities, having sprung respectively from the Propitiousness and the Wrath (of Aniruddha). Acting according to Aniruddha's direction, these two deities create and destroy. Although capable of granting boons unto all creatures, they are, however, in the matter of the concerns to which they attend (viz., Creation and Destruction), merely instruments in the hands of Aniruddha.

-Mahabharata, Santi Parva, Chapter 342

And again Krishna says

That Being whom, at the time of all thy battles, thou beheldest stalking in thy van, know, O son of Kunti, is no other than Rudra, that god of gods, otherwise called by the name of Kaparddin. He is otherwise known by the name of Kala, and should be known as one that has sprung from my wrath. Those foes whom thou hast slain were all, in the first instance, slain by him.

-Mahabharata, Santi Parva, Chapter 344

Obeisance to Nārāyaṇa, who is pure and eternal. Obeisance to the Lord of all past, present and future, who is in the form of Lord Śiva and auspicious Lord, the origin of Lord Śiva, and the most worshipable of Lord Śiva. Obeisance to Sri Hari, who assumes the most terrible form to end the Kalpa, who is of universal form, Lord of the universe and the supreme soul.

-Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Chapter 13

You are the creator. You are the destroyer. You support the worlds. You are Kāla, the destroyer of all. All the clans of Devas were created by you alone, O God. You are the path of all the worlds. You are salvation, the greatest goal. Brahmā, the eternal one of the Rajas form is the Lord born from you. Rudra originating from (your) Krodha (Anger) is also so (born from you). You are established in Sattva. O Lord, the mobile and immobile beings have been created by you for the sake of sport.

-Skanda Purana, Reva Kanda, Chapter 20

May the Lord of unlimited glory be favourably disposed to us—the Lord from Whose strength was born the great Indra, from Whose grace the (various) gods; from Whose wrath sprang up god Śiva, the Lord of mountains; from Whose intellect came forth god Brahmā; from the appertures in Whose bodies were created the Vedas and the sages, and from whose generative organ, the god Prajāpati.

-Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Skanda 8, Chapter 5

So Shiva was born from the wrath of Vishnu.

Who is the greatest and truest devotee of Lord Shiva???

 First of all, to the one from whom everyone was born, who is the first, eternal, and infinite, my salutations to the Supreme Father, Lord Shiva ❤️

According to me and my opinion, it is none other than Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu. So, let’s explore this in our new post today ❤️😌

1. भगवानुवाच नरस्त्वं पूर्वदेहे वै नारायणसहायवान् । बदर्या तप्तवानुग्रं तपो वर्षायुतान्बहून् त्वयि वा परमं तेजो विष्णौ वा पुरुषोत्तमे । ॥१॥

Srī Bhagavaan said, “ Oh Phalguna! In ancient times you were renowned by the name of Maharishi Nara, having Srīman Naaraayana as your companion you performed severe Austerities at Badrikashrama. Through the powers of his yogic Penance, Vishnu created you, this universe is held by the great energy manifesting out of you and Bhagavaan Purushottama.

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Aranya Parva 41.1

• In this verse from the Mahabharata (Aranyaka Parva 41.1), it is revealed that Arjuna, in his previous birth, was Maharishi Nara, who performed intense austerities at Badrikashrama together with his eternal companion, Narayana (Vishnu). Both engaged in severe penance for thousands of years, and from that penance arose immense divine energy which sustains the universe, manifesting through Nara and resting in Vishnu, the Supreme Purushottama. This passage highlights that even Vishnu, in his Narayana form, was engaged in deep tapasya (a mark of devotion) at a site traditionally associated with Lord Shiva, thereby indicating the reverence and devotion shown towards Shiva’s path of austerity.

2. केशवेन पुरा विप्र कुर्वता तप उत्तमम् । अर्चितो देवदेवेन शङ्करश्चेति नः श्रुतम् ॥ ३ देवौ तत्र जगन्नाथौ दृष्टवन्तौ पुरातनौ। अर्चयाञ्चक्रिरे देवा इन्द्राद्याः शङ्करं हरिम् ॥ ४ ।।

Janamejya said, “Oh Rishi! It has been recounted by ancient sages that at Badrikashrama, Srī Keshava through deep Penance had obtained sight of Bhagavaan Shankara and had worshipped him to obtain his Grace. All Devas with Indra at forefront, were assembled their to get the Glimpses of Parmeshvarā Shiva and Jagadishvarā Srī Hari.

Source :- Mahabharata Harivamsham Parva, Bhavishya Upaparva 73.3–4

• In this passage it is narrated that at Badrikashrama, long ago, Shri Keshava (Vishnu) himself performed great austerities and, through his penance, obtained the divine vision of Lord Shankara, whom he then worshipped to receive his grace. The text further describes that at that very place the two eternal Lords, Shankara and Hari, were seen together, and all the gods, led by Indra, assembled to witness and worship both—the Supreme Master Shiva and the Universal Lord Hari. This clearly illustrates that even Vishnu, through his Keshava form, sought Shiva’s blessings by penance and worship, establishing that mutual reverence existed between the two Supreme Deities, with Vishnu openly acknowledging Shiva’s supremacy as Devadeva.

3.

TRANSLATION

Maharishi Pulastya said, “ Oh Gangeya! Then one should proceed to worship Badrikeshvara Mahadeva while following proper puja Viddhi. The one who Worships Mahadeva in this way avoids all Troubles and attains Heaven.

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Aranya Parva 82.34

• Maharishi Pulastya instructs that after completing the sacred journey, one should worship Badrikeshvara Mahadeva with proper rituals and devotion. He declares that whoever worships Lord Mahadeva in this way becomes free from all troubles and attains the highest heavenly realms. This shows that at Badrikashrama—the very place where Nara–Narayana performed penance and where even Keshava (Vishnu) worshipped Shiva—Mahadeva is revered as the central deity, establishing his supreme position as the one who grants liberation and divine blessings, even to the gods themselves.

4. ततो गच्छेत्सुवर्णाक्षं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् । यत्र विष्णुः प्रसादार्थ रुद्रमार। घयत्पुरा ॥ १६ ॥ वरांश्च सुबहूँल्लेभे दैवतेषु सुदुर्लभन् । उक्तश्च त्रिपुरग्नेन परितुष्टेन भारत ॥ १७॥ अपि चास्मत्प्रियतरो लोके कृष्ण भविष्यलि । ॥ १८॥ त्वन्मुखं च जगत्कृत्स्नं भविष्यति न संशयःतत्राभिगम्य राजेन्द्र पूजयित्वा वृषध्वजम् ।अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति गाणपत्यं च विन्दति ॥ १९ ॥

Oh best among Bharatas! One should then proceed towards the highly renowned Teertha named Survanksha. In ancient times, Vishnu Worshipped his Aradhya Rudra their and obtained his grace along with Various Rare boons. The Destroyer of Tripura was highly pleased with Vishnu's devotion and said, “Oh Hari! In future through my favours you will incarnate on earth as Krishna, You shall be invincible throughout the Universe. ” Oh Rajendra! One who goes their and Worships Bhagavaan Shiva with Devotion attain the Merits of Performing Sacred Ashwamedha Yajna, he gain the padha of Ganapati.

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Aranya Parva 82. 13–19

• In the Mahabharata (Aranyaka Parva 82.13–19), it is stated that at the sacred Survarnaksha Tirtha, Vishnu himself once worshipped his Aradhya, Rudra, in order to obtain blessings. Greatly pleased by Vishnu’s devotion, Lord Tripurari granted him rare boons and proclaimed, “O Hari, in the future, by my grace, you shall incarnate on earth as Krishna and become invincible throughout the universe. All beings shall look towards you as their guide.” The text further emphasizes that whoever visits this holy place and worships Lord Shiva with devotion acquires the merit of performing an Ashwamedha Yajna and attains the status of Ganapati. This episode clearly demonstrates not only Vishnu’s devotion and subordination to Shiva but also that his supreme incarnation as Krishna was granted and blessed directly by Mahadeva.

5. मलिकण्ठ उवाच मत्प्रसादान्यनुष्येषु देवगन्धर्वयोनिषु । अप्रमेयबलात्मा त्वं नारायण अविष्यसि ॥ ७४ ॥न च त्या प्रसहिष्यन्ति देवासुरमहोरगाः । न पिशाचा न गन्धर्षा न जरा न च राक्षसाः ॥ ७५ ॥ न सुपर्णास्तथा नागा न च विश्वे वियोनिजाः। न कश्चित्त्वां च देवोऽपि समरेषु विजेष्यति ।। ७६ ।।

Nilakantha said, “O Naryana! Through my favours, your strength and soul will be immeasurable, among men, gods and gandharvas. Gods, asuras, giant serpents, pishachas, gandharvas, men, rakshasas, birds, snakes and other beings born in this universe will not be able to withstand you. The gods will not be able to defeat you in a battle. Through my favours, no one will ever be able to cause you injury through weapons, the vajra, fire, wind, an object that is wet or dry, or an object that is mobile or immobile. ”

• Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Naaraāyanāstra Moksha Parva 172.74–76

6. मलिकण्ठ उवाच मत्प्रसादान्यनुष्येषु देवगन्धर्वयोनिषु । अप्रमेयबलात्मा त्वं नारायण अविष्यसि ॥ ७४ ॥न च त्या प्रसहिष्यन्ति देवासुरमहोरगाः । न पिशाचा न गन्धर्षा न जरा न च राक्षसाः ॥ ७५ ॥ न सुपर्णास्तथा नागा न च विश्वे वियोनिजाः। न कश्चित्त्वां च देवोऽपि समरेषु विजेष्यति ।। ७६ ।।

Nilakantha said, “O Naryana! Through my favours, your strength and soul will be immeasurable, among men, gods and gandharvas. Gods, asuras, giant serpents, pishachas, gandharvas, men, rakshasas, birds, snakes and other beings born in this universe will not be able to withstand you. The gods will not be able to defeat you in a battle. Through my favours, no one will ever be able to cause you injury through weapons, the vajra, fire, wind, an object that is wet or dry, or an object that is mobile or immobile. ”

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Naaraāyanāstra Moksha Parva 172.74–76

7. ऽसौ नारायणो नाम पूर्वेषामपि पूर्वजः । अजायत व कार्यार्थ पुत्रो धर्मस्य विश्वकृत् ॥ ५१ ॥

Srīman Vyasa said, “Oh Drona Kumar! The one who is the most ancient of all our Ancestors is that Vishwadhari Bhagavaan Naaraāyanaā. For having Desire to obtain Prayojanak Siddhi, he became Dharma's Son. He went to Mountains to Practice Tapas.

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Naaraāyanāstra Moksha Parva 172. 51

8. व्यास उवाच एवमेते बरा लब्धाः पुरस्ताद्विद्धि शौरिणा । स एष देवश्चरति मायया मोहयञ्जगत् ॥ ७९॥

Srīman Vyasa said, “Oh Ashwathama! Know that this Krishna was Previously Called Naaraāyanaā who desiring Fame Had Worshipped Mahadeva for boons, it is that Ishvara Alone that today roams Throughout the three world confining everything in his Maya.

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Naaraāyanāstra Moksha Parva 172. 89

9. अस्तौषं त्वां तब संमानमिष्छन्विचिन्वन्वै लवृषं देववर्य । ॥ ७२ ॥ सुदुर्लभान्देहि बरान्ममेष्टानभिष्टुतः प्रतिकार्षीश्च ना माम्

Srīman Naaraāyanaā spoke, “ Oh Sureshvarā! I have worshipped you with Stutis and indulging myself in Yoga, I have constantly worshipped you as Parmeshvarā, having meditated upon you for a long time, who is completely worthy of praise. Please be pleased with my praise, remove your Maya and grant me the rare boon that I desire. Please do not be against me. ”

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Naaraāyanāstra Moksha Parva 172.72

10. वृणीष्वाष्टौ बरान्कृष्ण दातास्मि तव सत्तम । ब्रूहि यावषशार्दूल यानिच्छसि सुदुर्लभान् ॥५१॥

Bhagavaan Shiva said, “Oh Truthful Krishna! I am deeply pleased with you, ask any eight boons and I shall grant them to you, Oh Best among Yadus! Their is no doubt about it.

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Anusasshan Parva 15.51

11. कृष्ण उवाच一सूर्धा निपत्य नियतस्तेजःसंनिचये ततः । परनं हर्षभागम्य भगवन्तमथाब्रुवम् ॥१॥ धर्ने दृढत्वं युधि शत्रुधातं यशस्तथाग्यं परमं बलं च । योगप्रियत्वं तब संनिकर्ष वृणे सुतानां च शतं शतानि ॥२॥

Krishna said, “I bowed my head down before that great mass of energy. Filled with great delight, I told the illustrious one, ‘Firmness in dharma, the ability to destroy enemies in battle, fame, ferocity, supreme strength, devotion to yoga, your proximity and hundreds and hundreds of sons—these are the boons I seek.’ Hearing so Shankara said “So be it ”.

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Anusasshan Parva 16.1–2

12. दत्तो अगवता पुत्रः साम्बो नाम तवानघ । मत्तोऽप्यष्टौ बरानिष्टान्गृहाण त्वं ददामि ते । प्रणम्य शिरसा सा च मयोक्ता पाण्डुनन्दन ॥५॥

Sharvani Uma, spoke to me. ‘O unblemished one! The illustrious one has granted you a son named Samba. Ask for eight boons from me too and I will grant them to you.’

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Anusasshan Parva 16.5

13. द्विजेष्षकोपं पितृतः प्रसादं शतं सुलानालुओर्ग परं च । कुले प्रीतिं मातृतश्च प्रलादं शममाप्तिं प्रवृणे चापि दाक्ष्यम् ॥६॥देव्युवाच एवं भविष्यत्यमरप्रभाव नाई मृषा जातु बदे कदाचित् । आर्यालहस्राणि च षोडशेव तालु प्रिथत्वं च तथाक्षयत्वश् ॥७॥ प्रीर्ति चाग्यां बान्धवानां सकाशाद्ददामि ते चपुषः काम्यतां च । भोक्ष्यन्ते वै सप्ततिर्वै शतानि गृहे तुभ्यअतिथीनां च नित्यम् ॥८॥

thus I bowed my head down before her and said, ‘Lack of anger towards brahmanas, the favours of my father, hundreds of sons, supreme objects of pleasure, affection towards my family, the favours of my mother, the attainment of tranquility and skill—these are the boons I seek.’ The goddess replied, ‘It shall be that way. You will possess the power of of immortality. I never speak anything that is false.

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Anusasshan Parva 16.6–8

14. न हि मे केनचिद्देयो वरः पाण्डवनन्दन । इति संचिन्त्य मनसा पुराणं विश्वमीश्वरम् । पुत्रार्थमाराधितवानात्मानमहमात्मना ॥ २५॥ न हि विष्णुः प्रणमति कस्मैचिद्विबुधाय तु । ऋत आत्मानमेवेति ततो रुद्रं भजाम्यहम् ॥ २६ ॥

Oh Son of Pandu! There is none asides Rudra who is capable of granting me a boon. In ancient times, I for obtaining Samba Worshiped that Vishveshvara Mahadeva for the sake of obtaining a son. There is no other god that Vishnu bows down before, with the exception of Rudra, who is my own Atman.

Source :- Mahabharata Critical Edition Shanti Parva 328.25–26

15. मनीषितानामर्थानां प्राप्तिस्ते सुरसत्तम। पारिजातं च हर्तासि मा भूत् ते मनसो व्यथा ॥ ३६ ।। यथा मैनाकमाश्रित्य तपस्त्वमकरोः प्रभो। तथा मम वरं कृष्ण संस्मृत्य स्थैर्यमाप्नुहि ॥ ३७ ।।

Bhagavaan Spoke, “O Valiant Krishna! In Ancient Times you Undertook Servere penance at Mount Manika Through which You Obtained a Boon from me. You shall be incapable of being slain', 'You shall be invincible, and 'You shall be ever more Indomitable than myself ’—these and such words which I spoke to you will never be falsified.

Source :- Mahabharata Harivamsham Parva, Vishnu Upaparva 74.36–37

HAR HAR MAHADEV

SHIV SHIV 😌❤️