Holy Yajur Veda ABOUT GOD

"na tasya pratima asti
"There is no image of Him."
[Yajurveda 32:3]5

"shudhama poapvidham"
"He is bodyless and pure."
[Yajurveda 40:8]6

"Andhatama pravishanti ye asambhuti mupaste"
"They enter darkness, those who worship the natural elements" (Air, Water, Fire, etc.). "They sink deeper in darkness, those who worship sambhuti."
[Yajurveda 40:9]7


Try to use brain which is down in your feet and read the below full verse and their meanings

"Na Tasya Pratima Asti, Yasya Nam Mahadyash
Hiranyagarbh Ityesha Ma Ma Hinsidityesha Yasmanna Jat Ityesha"
The supreme god who is described in verses like Hiranyagarbh, Yasmanna Jat, Ma Ma Hinsit, whose name and glory is extremely broad buthe/she does not have any pattern - (which means, he does not have any specific pattern but by your meditational intellectual u can imagine his pattern) To be noted that the word Pratima here doesnt mean image but it means pattern
[Yajurveda 32:3]


"Sa Paryagaachukramkayamvranmasnaveer shuddhampapviddham
kavirmanishi paribhuh svayambhuryathatathyatorthan vyadghachaashwatibhyah samabhyah"
He (The Supreme) is pervasive, is magnificient. He is bodiless, nerveless and doesnt have pores.
He is pure and sinless. He is poet (here poet means he can create anything he imagines), he himself is language (ruler of mind, from where the words come), victorious and the onecreated by him/herself. He has managed since eternity for everyoneallsource as-qualified.
[Yajurveda 40:8]

"Andham tamah Pra Vishanti Yesambhutimupaste
Tato Bhuya Iva Te Tamo Ya Oo Sambhutyam rata"
Those people, who worship separation-destruction and are playing in such activities only, they enter darkness (here darkness is ignorance) and get surrounded by it and those who worship making organisation-creation only, they also enter the darkness of ignorance.

Here to note, worship means remain engaged in, and sambhuti is gathering and asambhuti means division, and engagement in such activities relates with, engaging in material life, forgetting the supreme to be worshipped equally and daily. Here it is nowhere mentioned about worship of natural elements" (Air, Water, Fire, etc.).
[Yajurveda 40:9]

Geeta saar from Bhagavad Gita

Geeta saar from Bhagavad Gita!!

Whatever happened, it happened for good.
Whatever is happening, is happening for good.
Whatever that will happen, it will be for good.
What have you lost for which you cry?
What did you bring with you, which you have lost?
What did you produce, which has destroyed?
You did not bring anything when you were born.
Whatever you have, you have received from Him.
Whatever you will give, you will give to Him.
You came empty handed and you will go the same way.
Whatever is yours today was somebody else’s yesterday and will be somebody else’s tomorrow.
If you look at what you do not have in life, you don’t have anything, if you look at what you have in life, you have everything.

HINDUISM IS DHARMA, NOT A SECT(RELIGION)

Namaskar Everyone!! Many people come to this page and called Hinduism as religion. Hindusim is not religion it is Dharma. There is a great difference between a religion and a dharma. A religion is something that is founded by someone. A religion is where a large group of people share a common symbol, a common religious text, a common GOD and a common founder. A religion is something that consists of a group of followers who earlier followed a different faith but now are following a certain faith that they now believe in. A religion is one which was founded by a religious movement. A religion has a date of origin. A religion is a set of belief systems.

Dharma on the other hand is more of a way of living or a way of life followed since antiquity, i.e., since the start of civilisation. Dharma was a kind of education or knowledge imparted to a person to lead a life in a certain way. Dharma is also sometimes considered as a complete and continuous education. Dharma is based on the principle of truth. Dharma is based on various stages that a man passes through in his lifetime, i.e., birth, childhood, youth, old age and death. Dharma is the truth or Dharma is the righteousness. If Karma is the righteous action, Dharma is the righteous decision. Dharma is not preached. Dharma is learnt, followed and practised. Dharma is the role you play.

The Dharma that was practiced in the ancient times has a multitude of difference than what is practised at the present time. Now Dharma has become a synonym with the religion. A religion is not a Dharma.

Now, we will understand Dharma with two standpoints. Every man plays two roles, a social role and a private or a personal role. Socially, a man is recognised by the job or the kind of work he does, he may be playing a role of a professor, an engineer, a doctor, a politician, a soldier, a police, etc. Personally a man is playing the role of a son, brother, friend, father, husband, grandfather, etc.

For a student, learning is the dharma of the student. Mother is a villain and father is an enemy if they don’t educate their children. Just as a crane looks odd in the midst of swans, a fool looks odd in the midst of wise men. So it is the dharma of the parents to impart knowledge of the worldly affairs to their children. Even if the parents are not able to send their children to school, it is the dharma of the parents to impart knowledge that makes their children worthy adults.

For a doctor, the duties of a doctor and the Hippocratic Oath that a doctor takes become the dharma of a doctor. Similarly, the oath that a politician, a lawyer, a policeman, a soldier, etc. takes, becomes the dharma of that particular person.

For a man who accepts a job, weather as a CEO or as an executive, the job description becomes his Dharma. Promise is the dharma of a man who has promised. Oath is the dharma of a man who has sworn. Above all, honesty is the highest Dharma.

Sometimes, the role is self-chosen and sometimes the role is a result due to the karmas of the previous life.

Anything that is anti-social, anything that involves cheating and other deceiving aspects, etc., anything that involves the killing of innocent people (terrorism), anything that gets a person off the spiritual track, any ignorant and selfish act that brings grief upon others is called Adharma. This is just a brief, but not a full description of Adharma. Any soul due to ignorance or with knowledge that is involved in Adharma falls to the lowest of lower levels.

A man who knows about the soul, a man who has the knowledge about karma, knows that these roles that he plays are temporary and don’t belong to the soul, he discharges his duties without expecting fruits (profit and loss). He discharges his duties without attachment or aversion.

A man who starts identifying with the roles that he is playing and considers them to be permanent is deluded.

Hope all of you now understand what is religion and Dharma.. If still any question remains you can asked via message...Shiva Bless

STATUS OF WOMEN AND MEN IN HINDUISM

What is status of woman in Hinduism?
 Man and wife are two faces of coin, no one need other permission to do something. both are equal and both are better half of each other. Man and Woman ask each other and take advice of each other on critical matters, and some thing that is permissible should be followed by both. But if there is any kind of threat than always woman should ask permission to man. There should be balance of thoughts between man and woman. man should not insult woman and respect her emotions and so the woman do.

Without woman man is not complete, without man woman is not complete. 


According to Manu Smirti 

9.96. "Man and Woman are incomplete without each other. Hence the most ordinary religious duty would demand participation of both."

4.180. "A wise man should not indulge in fights and arguments with his family members including mother, daughter and wife."

Hinduism does not say that God created Adam like an earthen pot. Hinduism also does not say that God took a rib of Adam and created from it Eve and delivered her to Adam for his entertainment. While giving the description of Srishti or projection of the universe Vedas do not make any special reference to creation of the man preceding the woman. Actually the male and the female are sides of the same coin. The Rig Veda depicts young men and married girls mixing freely and gives no evidence that married women were in any way secluded. It is pertinent to note that the hymns or suktas of Vedas were composed or written by Rishikas (women preceptors) also and those portions are read with same reverence. Any impartial observer may compare it with religious texts of West Asian origin where revelation is exclusive right of men.

To understand the position of women in Hinduism, one must understand the true essence of Hindu scriptures and be able to discriminate between what is religious philosophy versus what was merely social philosophy in the ancient times. The social philosophy varies with time, but the religious ideals do not. This point is critical since Hinduism has a large number of scriptures and lack of right understanding as to their content and hierarchy can result in distortion of the Hindu religious tradition. 

The philosophy of all the Upanishads is summarized in four verses, which are called Mahavakyas (great utterances). These are: aham Brahmasmi (I am the spirit, i.e. atman), tat tvam asi (That thou art), prajnanam Brahma (Brahman is pure consciousness) and ayam atma Brahma (this self is Brahman). In different ways and by different words, all these four Mahavakyas simply confirm the fact that an individual regardless of religion, race, culture, gender, color, cast, creed or geographic location is atman clothed in a physical body. The physical body we get is the result of our past karma. What we are now is the result of our past practice and again practice makes us what we shall be. The differences between individuals exist only at physical level. There are no spiritual differences between man and woman. The husband and wife are the two sides of the same coin. They are the two manifestations of the same atman. For this very reason, Swami Vivekananda says, “The husband and wife are the two wings of a bird.” This is the highest teaching of Hinduism and comes from its highest scriptures.

Hindu religious philosophy views marriage like a triangle where God is at the apex and the husband and wife are at the other two corners that farm the base of the triangle. As long as the couple is at the base, there is great separation between them. However, when they begin moving towards God together, the distance between them decreases. The distance between then decreases to zero when they reach God and unite in Him forever in joy. If any one of its wings is inferior, weak or damaged, the bird will fail to fly.

The most important rite of the Vedic wedding ceremony is Sapatpadi. Here the bride and bridegroom take seven steps together around the nuptial fire (Agni) and make the following seven wedding vows to each other:

“With God as guide, let us take, the first step to nourish each other, the second step to grow together in strength, the third step to preserve our wealth, the fourth step to share our joys and sorrows, the fifth step to care for our children, the sixth step to be together forever, and the seventh step to remain lifelong friends, perfect halves to make a perfect whole.”

The words “perfect halves to make perfect hole” is the final word of Hinduism on the relationship between husband and wife. Thus Hinduism provides same religious rights and privileges to women as it does to men. Neither is woman superior to man, nor is man superior to woman. Both are “perfect halves to make perfect hole.” 

The following are quotes from other scriptures that further confirm the equality between men and women in all religious and spiritual aspects:

“Unite, O Lord, this couple like a pair of lovebirds. May they be surrounded by children living both long and happy ” Atharva Veda Samhita 14.2.64

“Let there be faithfulness to each other until death. This may be considered as the summary of the highest law for husband and wife.” Manu Smriti 9.101

“May our prayers and worship be alike, and may our devotional offerings be one and the same.” Rig Veda Samhita 10.191.3

What the above scriptures tell us is this: The marriage in Hindu religion is a life-long partnership between two lovebirds, called husband and wife. The highest religion for these lovebirds is to be faithful to each other. Neither is the husband god, nor is the wife goddess. Both are the soul in bondage and their prayers and worship should be alike for their spiritual freedom, moksha. 
Here is what Mahatma Gandhi tells us about women in general and husband-wife relationship in particular: 

“To call women the weaker sex is libel; it is man’s injustice to women.” Mahatma Gandhi

“The wife is not the husband’s bond-slave but his companion and his help-mate and an equal partner in all his joys and sorrows---as free as the husband to choose her own path.” Mahatma Gandhi
Baba Hari Dass, a well-known modern living saint reminds us that:
“Wife and Husband are like two equal halves of a soybean. One half-alone will not grow. If two parts are separated and planted in the earth, still they will not grow. The bean will grow only when both parts are covered by one skin, which makes them one.” 

If we study the ancient history, we find that women held top religious and social positions in the Vedic period. There are references to women sages and saints in Vedas and Upanishads who were greatly revered for their religious and spiritual wisdom. During and following the epic period, the caste system (an ancient social philosophy) became rigid, which caused conflict within the society. The women often became the victims of this internal social conflict as well as the violence caused by the foreign invaders. The protection of women thus became a pressing issue for the society and the men had to shoulder this responsibility. The critical need to protect the women during the ancient period is clearly reflected in the following verse of the Manusmriti:

“Father protects (her) in childhood, husband protects (her) in youth, and sons protect (her) in old age. A woman cannot be left unprotected.” (MS 9.3)

Thus, the husband became the sole protector (like god) of his wife. This led to a social structure in which a wife was expected to cling to her husband for protection--in other words, worship him. This is why Ramayana says that the highest dharma of the woman is to worship her husband. The times have changed and the ancient social philosophy is irrelevant now. 

Harmlessness is considered the highest morality in Hinduism (Mahabharatta Shantiparva 262.5.6). A Hindu is taught to advance the spirit of harmlessness by maintaining harmony in his own life, in the family and society, with the ultimate goal spiritual perfection through selfless work, meditation and yoga. Scriptures are a means to this end, but not the end in themselves. If the social philosophy delineated by the Sacred Law of the ancient times is not suitable now, it should be ignored, including those writings which expound the superiority of man over woman or vice versa, husband over wife or vice versa, or one deity over another. Hindus are permitted to exercise this choice by one of the Hinduism’s most dominant Smriti scripture, Manu Smriti, which declares: 

“Let him avoid the acquisition of wealth and the gratification of his desires, if they are opposed the Sacred Law, and even lawful acts which may cause pain in future or are offensive...” Manu Smriti 3.176

The greatness of Hinduism is that it teaches us to cling to wisdom and not to dogma. This is why the above verse says that we must avoid even the lawful acts (i.e., even scriptures) if they cause pain or are offensive. We know that Bhagvan Krishna narrated entire Bhagavad Gita to provide Hinduism’s highest spiritual knowledge to Arjuna. But in the end, Krishna advises Arjuna to use his (Aarjuna’s) own wisdom and conscience to make his decision.

“I have given you the words of vision and wisdom more secret than hidden mysteries. Ponder over them in the silence of thy soul, and then in freedom do thy will.” BG 18.63

“In freedom do thy will” is what Hindu religious thought is all about. We must always discriminate between what is right and what is wrong, and not follow the rules blindly. The beauty of Hinduism is that it encourages the freedom of thought that no other religion in the world even comes close to. .

In conclusion, woman has the same religious and spiritual freedom in Hinduism as man. Like a man, she is the soul in bondage and the goal of her life is the same as that of man, spiritual perfection or moksha through selfless work, meditation and yoga. Hindus have elevated women to the level of divinity. They worship God in the form of Divine Mother. However, the status of women in Hindu society has also been affected by factors other than the ideals set forth in the Vedas and Upanishads, such as cultural mores and the exploitation of the biological and psychological differences between men and women. Therefore, on an individual and social level, complete and total equality of women is a goal that Hindu society (and other societies) is still striving for. As Swami Vivekananda says, we must realize that man and woman are two wings of the same bird; that in order to truly soar to great heights, a man and woman must work in unison in order to achieve greater harmony in life.

“Where women are honored, there the Gods are pleased. But where they are not honored, no sacred rite yields rewards.” Manu Smriti 3.56


There are numerous passages showing the honour and esteem in which women are held. For example, the great epic Mahabharata says----

“The wife is half the man. 

The best of friends,

The root of the three ends of life,

And of all that will help him in the other world”

“With a wife a man does mighty deeds

With a wife a man finds courage.

A wife is the safest refuge….”

A man aflame with sorrow in his soul,

Or sick with disease, finds comfort in his wife,

As a man parched with heat

Finds relief in water”

“Even a man in the grip of rage

Will not be harsh to a woman,

Remembering that on her depend

The joys of love, happiness, and virtue 

For woman is the everlasting field,

In which the Self is born.”

CHIDAMBARAM RAHASYA (SECRET OF TEMPLE CHIDAMBAR TEMPLE).

Chidambara Rahasyam (Secret ).

After 8 years of R & D, Western scientists have proved that at Lord Nataraja 's big toe is the Centre Point of World 's Magnetic Equator.
Our ancient Tamil Scholar Thirumoolar has proved this Five thousand years ago! His treatise
Thirumandiram is a wonderful Scientific guide for the whole world.
To understand his studies, it may need a 100 years for us.
Chidambaram temple embodies the following characteristics :

1) This temple is located at the Center Point of world 's Magnetic Equator.

2) Of the "Pancha bootha" i.e. 5 temples, Chidambaram denotes the Skies. Kalahasthi denotes Wind. Kanchi Ekambareswar denotes land. All these 3 temples are located in a straight line at 79 degrees 41 minutes Longitude. This can be verified using Google. An amazing fact & astronomical miracle !
Of the other two temples, Tiruvanaikkaval is located at around 3 degrees to the south and exactly 1 degree to the west of the northern tip of this divine axis, while Tiruvannamalai is around midway (1.5 degree to the south and 0.5 degree to the west).

3) Chidambaram temple is based on the Human Body having 9 Entrances denoting 9 Entrances or Openings of the body.

4) Temple roof is made of 21600 gold sheets which denotes the 21600 breaths taken by a human being every day (15 x 60 x 24 = 21600)

5) These 21600 gold sheets are fixed on the Gopuram using 72000 gold nails which denote the total no. of Nadis (Nerves) in the human body. These transfer energy to certain body parts that are invisible.

6) Thirumoolar states that man represents the shape of Shivalingam, which represents Chidambaram which represents Sadashivam which represents HIS dance !

7) "Ponnambalam " is placed slightly tilted towards the left. This represents our Heart. To reach this, we need to climb 5 steps called "Panchatshara padi "
"Si, Va, Ya, Na, Ma " are the 5 Panchatshara mantras.
There are 4 pillars holding the Kanagasabha representing the 4 Vedas.

8) Ponnambalam has 28 pillars denoting the 28 "Ahamas "as well as the 28 methods to worship Lord Shiva. These 28 pillars support 64 +64 Roof Beams which denote the 64 Arts. The cross beams represent the Blood Vessels running across the Human body.

9) 9 Kalasas on the Golden Roof represent the 9 types of Sakthi or Energies.
The 6 pillars at the Artha Mantapa represent the 6 types of Sashtras.
The 18 pillars in the adjacant Mantapa represents 18 Puranams.

10) The dance of Lord Nataraja is described as Cosmic Dance by Western Scientists.
Whatever Science is propounding now has been stated by Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism) thousands of years ago

SCIENTIFIC VERIFICATION OF VEDIC LITERATURE , KRISHNA -PART 2.

This is part 2 of scientific verification of Hinduism, vedic that existed millions of years before what was and is taught in schools. Time has come to reveal-

KRISHNA IS NOT A MYTH BUT A EVIDENCE PROOF-PART 1

Many Hindus are living in dark and feel bad about talking Hinduism,while many whites are going to Hinduism, its scriptures and its magic power. Must watch of this video-BE PROUD THAT YOUR FOREFATHERS DI NOT ACCEPT CONVERSION OR LUCKY NOT TO GET CONVERTED AND STILL RETAINS MYSTIC HINDUISM.

HIDDEN HISTORY OF HUMAN RACE-EXISTED DURING DINOSAURS AGE.

History of humankind is not 4000 or say 35000 years old. It is more than you could imagine and baffle your mind when Archeologist Michael Cremeo explaines and give evidence that human kind existed during Dinosaurs age and probably before that.
Michael Cremo is interviewed about his archeological discoveries and the cover up of the scientific community. Cremo gives several examples of archeological evidence that has been suppressed by the establishment in the name of "scientific conformity". His books include 'The Hidden History Of The Human Race' and 'Forbidden Archeology'.
Michael Cremo is a member of the World Archeological Congress and the European Association of Archaeologists as well as an associate member of the Bhaktivedanta Institute specializing in history and philosophy of science.

“Looking at the possibility that there were previous advanced civilizations on Earth, modern buildings made of steel and glass will not last over vast periods of time. However, ancient stone structures, like the pyramids, remain intact to this day. So, I think we have to ask, who's really more advanced?” -Michael Cremo

“There is evidence that humans were present before, during, and after the age of the dinosaurs. Human footprints alongside dinosaur footprints found in Texas and a modern human skeleton found in a 300 million-year-old layer of slate rock in Illinois.” -Michael Cremo

Archaeologist Stephen Munro nearly fell off his chair when he noticed patterns of straight lines purposefully etched on a fossilized clamshell. The engravings were half a million years old, which meant they'd been made by a a human kind of human-300,000 years.READ IN DETAIL HERE.

PAST HISTORY OF HINDUISM IN AZERBAIJAN- INSCRIPTION

Ateshgah of Baku

An inscription from the Baku Atashgah. The first line begins: I salute Lord Ganesha (श्री गणेसाय नम), the second venerates the holy fire (जवालाजी, Jwala Ji) and dates the inscription to Samvat 1802 (संवत १८०२, or 1745-46 CE). The Persian quatrain below is the sole Persian inscription on the temple[7] and, though ungrammatical,[7] also refers to the fire (آتش) and dates it to 1158 (١١٥٨) Hijri, which is also 1745 CE

The Baku Ateshgah was a pilgrimage and philosophical centers of fire worshipers from Multan (now located in Pakistan), who were involved in trade with the Caspian area via the famous "Grand Trunk Road". The four holy elements of their belief were: ateshi (fire), badi (air), abi (water), and heki (earth). The temple ceased to be worshiped after 1883 with the installation of petroleum plants (industry) at Surakhany. The complex was turned into a museum in 1975. The annual number of visitors to the museum is 15,000.

The Temple of Fire "Ateshgah" was nominated for List of World Heritage Sites, UNESCO in 1998 by Gulnara Mehmandarova^[4] — president of Azerbaijan Committee of ICOMOS—International Council on Monuments and Sites .

It was declared a state historical-architectural reserve by decree of the President of Azerbaijan on 19 December 2007
"His back left hand carries a purifying flame (agni) ... grasping a trident that Lord Shiva holds (trishul), and beating a drum(the damru which is lord Shiva's instrument) from which all of the sounds of the universe emanate ..."
-An inscribed invocation to Lord Shiva in Sanskrit at the Baku Ateshgah Fire Temple , Azerbaijan

Shri Ganeshaye Namah Inscription Baku Ateshgah Azerbaijan

Hinduism was in existence in the Caucasus Region, Iran and Urals.The Ancient Kingdom was known as UttaraKuru.Before Zoroastrianism came to hold its sway in Persia Hinduism was practiced.

The Temple at Baku Ateshgah Azerbaijan contains inscription stating with Shri Ganeshaya Namah, the traditional Hindu way of praying.

Sanskrit (pic) and Persian (pic) inscriptions from the Ateshgah (fire temple) of Baku, Azerbaijan. The Sanskrit inscription is a religious Hindu invocation in old Devanagari script while the Persian inscription is a couplet. The Sanskrit invocation begins with: I salute Lord Ganesh (श्री गणेशाय नमः), a standard beginning of most Hindu prayers. The second line venerates the holy fire Jwala Ji (जवालाजी). The inscription is dated to Vikram Samvat 1802 (संवत १८०२, i.e. 1745 CE). Unlike the several Sanskrit (written in Devanagari) and Punjabi (written in Gurmukhi) inscriptions in the temple, the Persian quatrain below is the sole Persian one and, though ungrammatical, also refers to the fire (آتش) and dates it to Hijri 1158 (١١٥٨, i.e. again 1745 CE). (From the source, “a quatrain in not very good Persian, the mistakes of which might have been made by a Hindu imperfectly acquainted with the language …”.)

SEE MORE

BHARAT/INDIA IN NAME COME FROM BHARAT, A KING

ABHIGYANA SHAKUNTALAM ~ THE RECOGNITION OF SHAKUNTALA ~ WORLDS MOST BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY !!!!Mahabharata contains many soul stirring stories. The story of Shakuntala and Dushyant is one of the most charming among them. The great poet Kalidasa retold this story in his immortal play Abhijnanashakuntalam

The Valmiki Ramayana, prose 51 of Bala Kanda, starts with the story of Vishvamitra , the father of Shakuntala :
There was a king named Kusha (not to be confused with Kusha, son of Rama), a brainchild of Prajapati, and Kusha's son was the powerful and verily righteous Kushanabha. One who is highly renowned by the name Gaadhi was the son of Kushanabha, and Gaadhi's son is this great-saint of great resplendence, Vishvamitra. Vishvamitra ruled the earth, and this great-resplendent king ruled the kingdom for many years.

His story also appears in various Puranas, however they show variations from the Ramayana. The Vishnu Purana and Harivamsha chapter 27 (dynasty of Amaavasu) of Mahabharatha narrates the birth of Vishvamitra. According to Vishnu Purana,kushika married a damsel belonging to Purukutsa dynasty (later called as Shatamarshana lineage - descendents of the Ikshvaku king Trasadasyu) and had a son by name Gaadhi who had a daughter named Satyavati (not to be confused with the Satyavati of Mahabharata).

Satyavati was married to an old Brahmin known as Ruchika who was foremost among the race of Bhrigu. Ruchika desired a son having the qualities of a Brahmin, and so he gave Satyavati a sacrificial offering (charu) which he had prepared to achieve this objective. He also gave Satyavati's mother another charu to make her conceive a son with the character of a Kshatriya at her request. But Satyavati's mother privately asked Satyavati to exchange her charu with her. This resulted in Satyavati's mother giving birth to Vishvamitra, the son of a Kshatriya Gadhi with the qualities of a Brahmin; and Satyavati gave birth to Jamadagni, the father of Parashurama, a Brahmin with qualities of a Kshatriya.

During one of his journeys , he and his soldiers took rest in the ashram of Rishi Vasistha. There, his whole army was well fed and taken care of. This caused a doubt in the king's mind as to how it was possible for this simple ashram to take care of all the arrangements to feed an entire army. He expressed his surprise to the sage. Vasistha replied,

"O king, this feast that you have partaken with your kinsmen, has been provided by my calf Nandini (sometimes referred as Sabala), who was gifted to me by Indra. You must know that she is the daughter of Indra's cow Kamadhenu. She provides me with everything I need."

Kaushika was filled with wonder when he heard this. He began to think that possessing this cow would mean a lot to him; after all, the sage did not have to provide food and sustenance for a large army everyday. He expressed a desire to the sage for obtaining Nandini from him. Vasistha was polite, but steadfast in his refusal. He would not be tempted by the offer of untold wealth that was made by Kaushika, for after all who can set a price on a cow, which can readily yield all the riches in the world.

The king grew exceedingly angry. He insulted the Brahmarishi with harsh words, and ordered his soldiers to seize the cow, and drive it to his kingdom. Nandini was the daughter of Kamdhenu and hence she forcefully protested against the soldiers. Using her powers, she saved the life of Vashishtha.

Kaushika seeks to attain the same spiritual power as Vasistha, to become his equal, a brahmarishi. He undertakes a fierce penance for one thousand years, after which Brahma names him a Rajarishi, or royal sage.

After another long penance of ten thousand years, Brahma names him a rishi, thus leaving his royal lineage permanently. And Brahma suggest him to take Bramharshi grade from his guru Vashishta only, as he only has the power to call you as Brahmarshi.

At this point, Indra, the king of Swarga attempts to test the tapasvin by sending Menaka, an apsara to seduce him. Kaushik then lives with Menaka for 10 years. They have a baby girl Shakuntala. Kaushik becomes angry as Menaka had destroyed his years of meditation and thus he cursed her that she won't possess her beauty, of which she was proud, in next birth. And hence in the next birth she became a monkey and mother of Hanuman, Anjani.

Kaushika now goes to the banks of the river Kaushiki, which is the spirit of his own sister. After many thousands of years of penance, Brahma names him maharishi, but also tells him that he hasn't become a jitendriya yet, lacking control over his passions. This is brought to light to Kaushika when he angrily curses Rambha, an apsara sent by Indra to seduce Kaushika again, to become a stone for a thousand years.
Visvamitra is addressed as maharsis by Brahma and other gods alarmed by his austerities
Rise to Brahmarishi

After cursing Rambha, Kaushika goes to the highest mountain of the Himalayas to perform an even more severe tapasya for over a thousand years. He ceases to eat, and reduces his breathing to a bare minimum.

He is tested again by Indra, who comes as a poor Brahmin begging for food just as Kaushika is ready to break a fast of many years by eating some rice. Kaushika instantly gives his food away to Indra and resumes his meditation. Kaushika also finally masters his passions, refusing to be provoked by any of Indra's testing and seductive interferences.

At the penultimate culmination of a multi-thousand year journey, Kaushika's yogic power is at a peak. At this point, Brahma, at the head of the Devas led by Indra, names Kaushika a brahmarishi, and names him Vishvamitra, or Friend of All for his unlimited compassion. He is also embraced by Vasistha, and their enmity is instantly ended.

NOW COMING TO STORY OF SHAKUNTALA

Shakuntala is daughter of Rishi Vishwamitra and Apsara Menaka. She is the wife of Dushyanta and the mother of Bharata.

Shakuntala, Daughter of Rishi Vishwamitra Her legend is described in the epic Mahabharata and in Kalidasa`s play the `Recognition of Shakuntala`. Shakuntala means one who is brought up by birds. When she was an infant, she was found in a forest fed by birds after her mother, Menaka left her.

There is a mythical story that relates the birth of Shakuntala. She was born of the union of sage Vishwamitra and the Apsara Menaka. Menaka was sent by Lord Indra, to distract the meditation of Sage Vishwamitra by seducing him. Menaka succeeded in her task and bore a child by him. When Vishwamitra came to know of this he was infuriated. He penances himself by discarding his child and his wife. Manaka, the celestial nymph realized that she could not leave the baby girl with Vishwamitra. So before returning to heaven she left the infant Shakuntala on the banks of the Malini River which rises in the Himalayas.

Rishi Kanwa found the baby Shakuntala surrounded and protected by birds and thus she was named `Shakuntala`. King Dushyanta first met Shakuntala while travelling through the forest with his armed forces. King Dushyanta had hit an arrow at the deer and the deer was wounded. Near the hermitage of Rishi Kanwa, Shakuntala nursed the wounded deer that was her pet. Dushyanta saw Shakuntala and fell in love with her at first sight. King Dushyanta generously begged her forgiveness for harming the deer and stayed at the ashram for some time. They both spent time together and Shakuntala also fell in love with the King. King Dushyanta married Shakuntala there in the hermitage. Before departing Dushyanta gave Shakuntala a royal ring that is a mark of their love, promising her that he would come back for her.

After King Dushyanta left, Shakuntala spent many hours of the day dreaming of her new husband and was often seen in her fantasy world. One day, a powerful Rishi, Durvasa, came to the hermitage.

Shakuntala was in her daydream and forgot to greet the Rishi properly. The sage Durvasa was infuriated at her task and cursed Shakuntala, saying that the person she was dreaming would forget her.

Dushyanta and Shakuntala After cursing when the angry sage Durvasa was about to depart the ashram then one of Shakuntala`s friend hurriedly explained to him the reason for her distraction. The Rishi realized his mistake of and change his curse by saying that the person who had forgotten Shakuntala would remember and recall everything again if Shakuntala showed him a personal token that had been given to her. Shakuntala gave birth to a son named Bharata.

Many days passed and Shakuntala was speculating why King Dushyanta did not revisit her. Then one day she decided to go to the city with her father where Dushyanta was the emperor. On the way, Shakuntala and Rishi Kanwa had to cross a river by a small boat. They drowned in the water of the river, Shakuntala ran her fingers through the water and her ring slipped off her finger without her notice.

Shakuntala went to King Dushyanta`s court but the king could not recognize her or recall any incidence. Shakuntala was hurt and disheartened. She returned to the forests and taking her son, settled in an inner part of the forest by herself. The place was isolated and devoid of the communication of the outer world. Shakuntala spent her days with her son Bharata. Surrounded only by wild animals, Bharata grew to be a strong boy as he was always surrounded by wild animals. He was famous to play with furious animals like tigers and lions, opening their mouth and counting their teeth.

One day a fisherman found the royal ring of Shakuntala given by King Dushyanta. The fisherman was surprised to find a royal ring in the stomach of a fish he had caught. The ring had a royal seal, so the fisherman took the ring to the palace of emperor Dushyanta. Seeing the rings, Dushyanta immediately realized that it belonged to Shakuntala.

Dushyanta memories of his lovely bride came rushing back to him. He instantly set out to find her and arrived at Sage Kanwa`s ashram. Dushyanta came to know that she had left the place long ago and does not stay there. He took Indra chariot and went in search of Shakuntala deep into the forest and came to see a surprising scene in the forest.

The king saw a young boy, Bharata opening the mouth of a lion and was busy counting its teeth. The king Dushyanta greeted the boy. He was astonished by the boy`s courage and strength, and asked his name. The King was surprised when the boy replied him that he was Bharata, the son of King Dushyanta. Bharata took him to Shakuntala, and thus both the King Dushyanta and Shakuntala reunited.

Shankuntala returned with her young son Bharat and the family lived happily, a happiness that passed down to their generations, the entirety of the Indian population.