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The Kurukshetra war is considered to be a very important combat in Hindu mythology. At the time of this combat, Krishna, as the charioteer of Arjuna came to Pandava’s side and asked Kaurava to take his whole force. He had given the choice of choosing either him or his huge army, to both Kauravas and Pandavas. Krishna was chosen by Arjuna and his force was taken by Duryodhana. It was in this important war that Krishna disclosed truths on life to prince Arjuna. Those insights about life are collectively called as Gita.

Bhagvad Gita

Gita contains advises, which Krishna gives Arjuna after seeing his plight and perplexity on fighting the combat with his cousins, gurus, elders and companions. Krishna speaks about the responsibilities he has to perform in the role of a warrior and a prince. He also describes on karma and dharma. There are a lot of analogies, examples and doctrines in Bhagavat Gita. Krishna also disclosed his true identity as the absolute power through his Vishwarupa, in this war. Lord Krishna speaks about Kurukshetra war being a Dharma Yudha in order to let Dharma prevail in the world.

The five important truths of life, as described in Gita, are Ishwara, Kaala, Prakriti, Jiva and Dharma. Ishwara is the greatest power in this world. The basic nature of intelligence is Prakriti, by which the world functions. It is the base on which the works of creation is carried out. Kaala is the time or the age. Dharma binds together different forces together.

The basic teaching that Gita gives is that one has to cross the weaknesses of body and unite himself with the absolute power. Gita is contained Mahabharata, which is one of the Hindu epics, and contains 700 verses.

Important Verses

‘Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya …. Srijamyaham’ is regarded as a very important verse in Gita. Krishna informs Arjuna that he will come back in order to safeguard Dharma and to avoid Adharma from spreading in the world. It is his duty to take care of the world and safeguard it from evil spirits. Another verse ‘Paritranaya Sadhunamâ…. Yuge Yuge’, is also very important. According to this verse, Lord Krishna is believed to take birth again in all ages so as to protect the world and save its beings. He will destroy evil forces and protect the saints.

Sanjaya, apart from prince Arjuna, also heard the truths of life, which was contained in Gita. He was bestowed with Divya Drishti from sage Veda Vyasa to recount combat to his blind master Dhritarashtra. Hanuman and Barbarika, Ghatotkacha’s son were also receivers of these messages.

Because Gita is holy, it is also called Gitopanishad. But as it contains summary of all the teachings, it is also known as Upanishad of Upanishads.

Bhakti is the pure form of devotion as there are no intermediaries between the god and his devotee. The word Bhakti comes from Sanskrit language with Bhaj as the root word, meaning belong to or surrender to.

Bhakti as a form of religious surrender was referred in Bhagavat Gita, the holy religious text, which contains the teachings, philosophies of life as told by Lord Krishna to his devotee and friend Prince Arjuna. He asks Arjuna to leave behind all doubts and beliefs and to devote himself to the Lord without any scepticism.

The concept of Bhakti is also attributed to Shaivisam and Vaishnavism, two religious sects in Southern part of India, that believe in Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu respectively. Bhakti movement grew in its importance in medieval history. The central and northern part of India started believing in Bhakti movement from 14^th century onwards and many saints like Kabir Das, Meerabai, Sur Das became the embodiment of Bhakti. These movements grew in strength as it nullified the importance of rituals and possession of materials. Bhakti was merely about giving oneself to the supreme power and believing in that power.

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Lord Vishnu, the protector, is believed to have taken birth as Rama. Ramayana is a Hindu Epic, in which Rama is the main character. This is why he is known widely among Hindu believers. He is the incarnation of righteousness, kindness and courage. He is the prince of Ayodhya and son of Kausalya and Dasaratha. Hindus thought that Lord Rama took birth in Suryavansha in Treta Yuga, the 2nd epoch.

After performing the Putrakameshti Yaga only, Dasaratha got his four sons- Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. Devi Sita is Rama’s consort, who is the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and an example of a complete woman.

The Birth of Rama

According to Hindu mythology, Bhumidevi visits Brahma asking to help her, so that the demon king’s rule on earth can be stopped. These cruel kings were ruining all her resources. The cruel and powerful king Raavana, who had already captured Earth and Paatala, gained control over Heaven and gods were troubled by him. Raavana had many boons from the sages, which protected him and gave him 10 heads. Brahma with Bhumidevi and devas approached Vishnu, in order to find a solution to their problem.

Lord Vishnu takes the decision of releasing the world from all the evil forces and decides to kill Raavana. He was born as the 1st son of Dasaratha in the kingdom of Ayodhya. Vishnu’s wife, Lakshmi takes the form of Sita in Mithila as the daughter of Janaka. It is only when the combat between Raavana and Rama come to an end, that the real identity of Lord Rama is revealed.

Rama and Dharma

Rama is known as Maryada Purushottama. Worshippers mean that he is unbiased, kind and righteous. Rama always walked through the path of dharma in the entire life. Irrespective of all the problems he has faced in his life, he holds on to righteousness. Rama personifies dharma. Upholding Dasaratha’s order, he leaves Kosala kingdom and lives in the jungle for fourteen years with his wife and younger brother, Lakshmana.

His ideal behaviour is seen when he asks Sita, his devoted consort, to take the test of Agni Pariksha, by which she will be suitable to become the Queen of Ayodhya. It was only after proving that Sita is pure, that Rama welcomes her. People became happy when Rama ruled and only happiness prevailed in Ayodhya.

Lord Shiva completes the trinity of gods with Vishnu and Brahma. He is the authority of purification and destruction of the world lies with him. Lord Brahma resumes the process of creation of the world after it is being destroyed by Lord Shiva. Worshippers of Shiva regard him as the ultimate power. Shiva’s anger and pleasing nature are very popular among the worshippers. Shiva means amiable, kind and good. People regard him as a loyal husband to his wives Sati and Parvati.

Shiva and Sati

Goddess Sati was daughter to King Daksha and spouse of Shiva. Sati and Lord Shiva were not called at a yagna performed by King Daksha. But Sati wanted to attend the yagna and reached her father’s kingdom. Sad and insulted by the neglect, her father showed, she sacrificed by jumping into the yagnakunda. Finding this out Lord Shiva became furious and performed Rudra Tandava, holding the body of Sati. Lord Shiva opened his third eye and Daksha’s kingdom was wiped out. In order to make him calm down, Vishnu severed the body of Sati and threw it on earth. The twelve places on Earth where her body parts fell were later called as the Shakti Peethas.

Parvati and Shiva

Following the immolation of devi Sati, Shiva led an ascetical life. But devi Sati took birth was again born as Parvati, daughter to Himavan. When Parvati reached adulthood, she knew about her earlier birth as devi Sati and performed tapas to please Lord Shiva and live with him. The continuous tapas of Parvati was dismissed by Lord Shiva.

Parvati, in the end, took the help of Kamadeva, the Lord of Love. He tried striking Lord Shiva with his arrow. Shiva became furious and reduced the Lord of Love to ashes with his 3rd eye. Afterwards, on the request of Rati, Kamadeva’s wife, Shiva revived Kamadeva. Parvati continued her severe tapas so that Lord Shiva gets pleased. Within some time, because of Parvati’s devotion and loyalty and compulsion by saints, Shiva married her on the month of Phalguna, one day before Amavasya. This night is dedicated to Shiva and called as Mahashivaratri.

Celebration at Mahashivaratri

Across the world, Mahashivaratri is being celebrated even today by worshippers of Lord Shiva. Fasting and staying wake the whole night, in addition to visiting temples, are a part of this festival, which is being observed by worshippers.

There is one more story connected with this festival. In order to save Shiva from all harms, Parvati performed tapas on Mahashivaratri.. According to the legend, Parvati had prayed on the night of Amavasya in Phalguna for long life of Shiva. Following this custom started by Parvati, women even today, offer prayers and conduct poojas to please Lord Shiva and wish for the long life of their spouses.

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The believers of the Hindu religion consider Rudraksha beads to be very important. Most of the devotees have a Rudraksha mala around their neck and revere it. Hindu mythology says the name Rudraksha is derived from Lord Shiva. He is mentioned in Rigveda as Rudra.

The story associated with the Rudraksha plant goes like this. Lord Shiva was meditating for a long period of time and after he attained deep fulfilment, he shed a tear when he opened his eyes. This tear grew as the plant Rudraksha on the Earth and bore the seeds of Rudraksha. The term ‘Rudr’ menas Shiva and ‘Aksha’ means eye, Rudraksha means Shiva’s eye or coming from Shiva’s eye.

Rudraksha has many faces or mukhee. It varies from 1 to 21. The commonly found Rudrakshas have four, five and six faces and one with a single face is considered to be very rare. Two Rudrakshas with a single face are kept in Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal, which are shown to devotees on auspicious days. Rudrakshas also have great medicinal value and have been used in Ayurveda for many years.

Hindus consider wearing Rudraksha mala around their neck and wrists to be good and helping to enhance mental powers.

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Hindus always chant mantras and prayers 108 times with their Japamaala. The number 108 is considered to be very important and there are many reasons behind it.

It is believed that Lord Krishna, one of the favourite Hindu gods, had 108 gopis or milkmaids who were devoted to him in Vrindavan. According to the Vedas, in order to attain enlightenment and worldly wisdom, you have to be connected to the ultimate truth. The simple calculation according to vedic astrology involve the five elements, three attributes of life and stars in the sky. Earth, air, water, fire and space are the five elements and birth, life and death are the basis of existence. All these are important parts in defining the concept called Time. The result is the number 108, which holds the idea about universe and faith. The intention behind chanting the mantra for 108 times is just to connect with the absolute truth or god. The Sanskrit language also has 108 alphabets!

Read more about Kumbh mela from Prabhubhakti.