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(29)
The main beliefs of our Sanatan Vedic Hindu Dharma.
Ans: 1. Sanatan Hindu Dharma is the oldest
religion in the world.
2. Sanatan Hindu Dharma is based on the Vedas.
3. Our main incarnations and deities are: Bhagwan
Swaminarayan, Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahadev,
Ganapati, Hanuman, Surya. Main goddeses: Parvati (Durga),
Sarasvati and Lakshmi.
4. The main beliefs are: Avatarvad: (Incarnation
of God on Earth;) Karmavad: (there are consequences of all
actions good or bad;) Punarjanmavad: (reincarnation of soul
according to karma;) murti-puja: (worship of idols.)
5. Our scriptures: Four Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan,
Mahabharat, Purans, Shrimad Bhagvad Gita, Vachanamrut, etc.
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 (30)
Kurma Avatar.
Ans: Devas
and asuras are cousins. But this has not stopped them from
going into many wars with each other. Once upon a time the
Devas seemed to be on the verge of being defeated by the asuras.
Bhagwan Vishnu suggested a way to achieve victory. He told
the Devas that they should challenge their sworn enemies –
asuras – to the Kshir Sagar where both the teams would
churn the sea. The team that emerges victorious will have
right over the nectar that is produced from the ‘manthan’
(or churning of the ocean). This nectar will give the victorious
team an upper hand over the other. Some Devas struck a deal
with greedy asuras and convinced them by promising them some
nectar. Mandarachal mountain was brought to the sea and tied
with Vasuki nag (snake) to churn the sea. But the heavy mountain
started sinking into the sea. Bhagwan Vishnu once again came
to the rescue and assumed the form of Kurma avatar (tortoise)
and kept the mountain afloat as asuras tugged on one end and
Devas on the other. Fourteen jewels were produced in the ‘manthan’
which went to the Devas, ensuring their victory. |
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 (31)
Vaman Avatar.
Ans: Prahlad
was crowned king after his father. He was succeeded by Virochan,
then Sena and finally Bali. Bali, king of Asuras, wanted to
grab the position of deva Indra and also conducted a yagna
to achieve this. During the yagna Bali was gifted four horses,
a chariot complete with a flag, a bow and quiver full of arrows.
Armed with these and aided by a large army of Asuras Bali
stormed into the heavenly abode of devas and devis. He drove
out everybody from heaven and Bali crowned himself the ruler
after grabbing the throne of Indra. Devmata Aditi, pained
by her son Indra’s sorrow, consulted her husband Kashyap
and did penance to appease Bhagwan Vishnu and call for his
help. Bhagwan Vishnu, satisfied with Devmata’s devotion,
was soon born to Aditi as Vaman Bhagwan. When asura king Bali
was busy carrying out his 100th Ashwamegh Yagna at the banks
of Narmada River at Bhrugukutch (now Bharuch), to establish
his supremacy over heaven and earth, Vaman Bhagwan made his
entry. Guru of the Asuras, Shukracharya, knew that this was
Bhagwan Vishnu in the form of the dwarf Vaman Bhagwan. As
was the practice then, Bali wanted to know what Vaman Bhagwan
wanted. Vaman Bhagwan said that he required only three small
pieces of land, each a foot in size. Bali agreed. But, soon
Bali took a step back in astonishment as Vaman Bhagwan suddenly
grew in size. He assumed such an enormous form that with his
one foot he covered the whole Earth, the next step Vaman Bhagwan
covered heaven. “Where should I put my third step?”
asked Vaman Bhagwan. Bali knew he was defeated and offered
his head. Vaman Bhagwan put his third step on Bali’s
head and pushed him into Patal (underworld). Pleased with
Bali’s devotion, Bhagwan Vishnu blessed him too. |
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 (32)
Matsya Avatar.
Ans: Brahmaji
was in yog nidra (sleep with awareness, typical to yogis)
when suddenly he chanted four Vedic mantras. Hayagriv, a demon,
who was nearby heard the Vedic chants and memorized the same,
though he did not understand their meaning. To understand
Veda one needs knowledge. Bhagwan Vishnu changed form, in
order to protect the Vedas from falling on the wrong hands.
He transformed into Matsya avatar (Fish incarnation) and plunged
into the Kritwala river. When emperor Satyavrat was offering
prayers to Surya deva near the river, Matsya avatar approached
him and asked him to rescue him. Satyavrat lifted the fish
into his kamandal (water pot) to protect it. However soon
Matsya avatar grew in size and had to be shifted to a pond.
It soon outgrew the pond too and assumed an enormous size.
Matsyavatar then killed Hayagriv and thus protected the Vedas.
Soon the universe was thrown into turmoil with forces of nature
on the rampage. Every living being was wiped out from the
face of Earth, except Satyavrat who was safe and secure under
the protection of huge Matsya avatar. After the devastation
ended, new life began on earth.
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