Exactly at that time, the cries of a fox were audible from the place of sacrificial fires (homas) in Dhrutharashtra’s palace. Following this inauspicious sound, donkeys started braying. The birds made weird and awkward sounds in response. Both Vidura and Gandhari were able to understand the shape of things to come from the inauspicious indications.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 10 – Vidura’s fears
The moment Vidura heard Bhima’s vow, he hastened to address the assembly again as he apprehended there would be total destruction: “Noble ones!” he said, “Ponder over the threat from Bhima to the very survival of the Bharata clan. It is definitely a matter of divine dispensation that this unfortunate happening should manifest as a... Continue Reading →
Chapter 9 – Bhima’s wrath
Some of the members present welcomed Duryodhana’s words. Their token of acceptance was indicated by weird utterances and movements of their lips and eyes. Some others could know the innate innuendo in Duryodhana’s words and expressed shock. For those on Duryodhana’s side, his speech was very sweet. All the Kauravas were very happy. Some of... Continue Reading →
Chapter 8 – Draupadi’s fame and shame
After narrating Prahlada’s episode in which he gave an answer fearlessly even at the risk of staking his son’s life, Vidura returned to Draupadi’s vital question. “Hey, Kings!” he said, “At least after hearing this episode, I hope you will break your silence and provide an answer to Draupadi’s question as per tenets of... Continue Reading →
Chapter 7 – Vidura on Prahlada
The well-known asura king Hiranyakashipu, killed by Vishnu in the avatar of Narasimha, had a famous son Prahlada, who succeeded his father to the throne. “Prahlada” recounted Vidura, “had a son called Virochana. There ensured a conflict between Virochana and Sudhanva, son of Angirasa, over a damsel each wanted to marry. In order... Continue Reading →
Chapter 6 – Bhima’s revenge
“Rulers from far and near!” he said to them. “Please hear these words patiently and my vow. You would not have heard these in the past. There is no likelihood of your hearing it in the future also. If I do not fulfil the vow I am undertaking, let me not get the fortune of... Continue Reading →
Chapter 5 – Draupadi disgraced
Vikarna’s observations were, however, absolutely unpalatable to one among the wicked gang of four (Duryodhana, Dusshaasana, Shakuni and Karna) namely Karna. Karna was provoked by the praise showered by the respectable ones and by the criticism leveled against his colleague Shakuni. Overcoming by his anger, he admonished Vikarna, raising his handsome hand in the process.... Continue Reading →
Chapter 4 – Draupadi dragged to court
Stung by the bug of arrogance, Duryodhana scoffed at Vidura and protesting against his words, called a messenger. He asked him to bring Draupadi to the court and said, “You need not be afraid of the sons of Pandu. The only one who fears is Vidura. He, however, is not interested in our progress.” ... Continue Reading →
Chapter 3 – Vidura pulls up Duryodhana
Duryodhana, rendered indiscreet by the flush of victory lost even the modicum of mental balance and commanded Vidura to undertake an unpleasant task. “Vidura!” he said to him, “Go at once and bring Draupadi, the love of Pandavas. Let her sweep the floor of the house and keep it clean. That unfortunate one shall... Continue Reading →
Chapter 2 – Draupadi as stake
In the midst of this confusion and total disillusionment in Yudhishtira’s camp, the cunning Shakuni had a brain wave. “You made a mistake”, he said to Yudhishtira, “by staking yourself. However you are left with one more valuable item of wealth. In spite of it, it is unfortunate on your part to have offered... Continue Reading →
Chapter 1 – Yudhishtira loses all in the game of dice
The game of dice and the crescendo of Kaurava’s delight in a stormy and tempestuous atmosphere continued unabated as Yudhishtira suffered successive defeats. Victory appeared to be unknown to him. Addressing the losing Yudhishtira, Shakuni said, “Yudhishtira You have staked and lost all the wealth belonging to Pandavas. Is there anything valuable which has not... Continue Reading →
Introduction to “Draupadi in Distress”
Draupadi constitutes the most unique example of a dame in distress - the kind of distress probably unknown to any other heroine or female character in a story, legend or epic like the Mahabharata. She would perhaps have willingly subjected herself to any severe punishment coupled with dignity but was destined to stake all her... Continue Reading →
Chapter 8 – Aurora of Arunachala
The importance of the sacred place of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu lies in the secret of its being the centre of the thejo linga kshetra and in its being the secret abode of the Supreme Lord Shiva in his elemental form of fire. While the celebrated linga adorns the temple of Arunachaleswara, Skandapurana comes out... Continue Reading →
An an-thrilling conception
The Skandapuranic legend centering round Vighneswara is doubtless known to many but is narrated here not only in the interests of accuracy and authenticity of the anecdote but also to include it as part of a fairly comprehensive series of legends that throw light on the greatness of Arunachala and to focus attention on the... Continue Reading →
Humility melts the Lord
It is not perhaps know to many that the thejo linga of Paramatman does not get destroyed even in a deluge and that it enjoys the reputation of constantly being worshipped by rains of flowers, by the melody of divine music and by the dance and prayers of the celestial nymphs. The kind Lord... Continue Reading →
Chapter 7 – The Antaryamin
The real greatness of Arunachala lies in its being the embodiment of jyoti (divine light) and in the fantasy and phantasmagoria of the aurora of Arunachala. The profound secrets of Arunachala are known only to Rishis, Sages, Yogis and true devotees of Arunachaleswara and Apeetha Kuchamba. The jyotirlinga kshetra, which is unique for the manifestation... Continue Reading →
Chapter 5 – The greatest kshetra – A profound secret
There was once a great desire on the part of Sages in Naimisharanya forest to know which among the many Shiva kshetras on land was the greatest one. Earlier, this indeed was the question which bothered Sage Markandeya who however preferred to seek an answer from Nandikeswara. “Deveswara, Ocean of Kindness!” said Markandeya, addressing... Continue Reading →
Thithi pujas
It has been authoritatively stated in Skandapurana that Arunachaleswara would like certain specified major offerings (naivedyams) depending upon the phases of the moon (thithis) in the same way as different offerings are earmarked for the ruling constellations (nakshatras). The impact of lunar rays on earth especially on vegetation, herbs, oceanic waves and tides and certain... Continue Reading →
Nakshatra pujas
It has been repeatedly mentioned in Skandapurana that Arunachaleswara will always have a soft corner for those who undertake pradakshina, thapas and austerities in Arunachala. There will be no experience of physical and mental aliments wherever the linga of Arunachaleswara is worshipped. Offering during 27 Nakshatras Arunachaleswara likes different offerings on each day of... Continue Reading →
Legendary Light on greatness
Sage Markandeya once asked Nandikeswara, “Bhagawan! You are always immersed in the thoughts of the blissful image of Shiva. The nectar called the greatness of Arunachala related by you has made me ecstatic. How is it that the Pandyan King Vajrangada having been found guilty of committing sacrilege in Arunachala regained the glory of his... Continue Reading →
Mahan Seshadri
Bhagavan Seshadri Swamigal’s ways and means of conveying the quintessence of our philosophy and shedding light on the ultimate reality of existence have been as profoundly simple as they have been unique. “When the physical frame withers away”, according to his cryptocrystalline tattva nirupana, “The sesha or what remains following the fall of the body... Continue Reading →
Adi Sankara
If one reaches the appropriate spiritual level, it is entirely possible to come face to face with Sankara. A small group of spiritual aspirants was exchanging notes and sharing personal experiences in a satsang in a Nadi (palm leaf) astrologer’s house in Bangalore more than two decades ago. The subject of their conversation was Adi... Continue Reading →
Chapter 6 – Universe glows from the glowing Arunachaleswara
"Great Nandikeswara!" said Sage Markandeya, “I had the pleasure of listening to your narration of the legend about Vidyadharas (Kantishali and Kaladhara) - a legend which can be likened to the lunar disc throwing light on the ocean of greatness called Arunachaleswara. However, how did King Vajrangada attain salvation? How did he worship Arunachaleswara? How... Continue Reading →
Iswara
The legendary description of Iswara’s leela is wonderful, according to all the Rishis who had first-hand knowledge of the vignettes of Iswara tattva and Vedanta. It inspires bhakti even in an atheist! Great Rishis like Vyasa and Sanatkumara, all-knowing as they were, had displayed rare knowledge of Shiva tattva. Vyasa Maharshi met Sanatkumara once and... Continue Reading →
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