Core Concepts of Hinduism
Many people say that so and so person is the best Father/Mother/Brother/Sister/Wife in the world.
It doesn't mean that they are comparing them to all other people in the world.
It means that they got most of whatever they expected and more from them.
Similarly, many people believe in different Gods. Hindus believe in different forms of Gods.
For example, Vishnu has taken several avatars (incarnations), of which 10 (Das Avatar) are considered as most important. His consort, Lakshmi, has accompanied him as and when necessary.
Similarly, Vishnu's sister, Shiva's wife, Parvati or Shakti as she is known, has also taken several avatars. Sati (the one who immolated herself), Parvati (the daughter of Parvat raj/Mountain king Himavant), Kali (the dark one, like her brother Vishnu, she is dark in color).
Lakshmi is worshiped in different forms as well. She is worshiped as Dhana (wealth), Dhanya (Food), Gaja (Elephant), Santana (Children), Vijaya (Win) Lakshmi.
Shiva, his sister Sarasvati (both fair, and giver of education in different fields) and her husband Brahma are worshiped by their main form only.
While Brahma writes/creates life, Shakti provides energy to start/sustain life, Lakshmi provides resources to support life, Vishnu maintains order in life, Sarasvati provides knowledge to the creature how to live the life (how to eat, protect itself, and multiply, etc), Shiva takes care of restoring/re-energizing.
They are like Father (who provides for the family and takes care of them), Mother (who gives life to them, loves them, feeds them, teaches the basics to them), Guru (Teacher who teaches different aspects in life, in different forms), We should not compare the roles and responsibilities of them.
Similarly, It is not wise to compare to differentiate between Gods, but to understand them better, we can compare.
A man has a fish tank, and an assorted types of fish in it. He feeds the fish, takes care of the fish, cleans the water of the fish tank and releases the fish in the tank again, but he lets the fish choose how much to eat, how to live and play.
If he doesn't feed the fish properly, or enough, or doesn't take care of the tank itself, it causes problem to the fish. It doesn't mean that he should over feed the fish, or clean the tank more than often.
If we see the same on a much much larger scale,
Brahma chooses what kind of fish to keep in the tank, and to automate the well being of the enormous tank, he has to maintain different kinds of fish.
Sarasvati helps the fish to evolve, based on the environment, availability of food, etc.
Vishnu takes care to balance the fish.
Lakshmi and Shakti take care of providing the fish and let them multiply.
Shiva takes care of cleaning the tank. As Sun, he evaporates the water, but as rain, he fills it again, as earth he sustains the water, but he can drain it as well. In rain and winter, the fish are free to multiply all they want, but in summer, limited supply of water, teaches or controls the number of fish on the whole.
But if he can just minimize the thought of "I", he can reduce a lot, starting with "EGO" to all other things. This doesn't mean that he should get rid of his roles and responsibilities.
Even Shiva and Vishnu worship each other, to have a check.
Shiva gives half of his entity (body/soul) to his wife. Thus wife is called his half. For us it is better half, just so that we are not proud.
Sometimes Brahma tries to show that he is more than others. He has to be taught a lesson as and when required.
He is had 5 heads. When he compared himself to Shiva, who also has 5 heads, Shiva cut one of his head.
In Krishna Avatar, when Brahma said that only he is the creator, and Krishna is not greater than him, Krishna teaches him a lesson.
The difference is, Vishnu teaches us lessons by humiliation so that we leave our "I" and "EGO" out.
Shiva on the other hand, removes it. Thus is known as the destroyer. Here destroyer doesn't mean that he destroys just for the sake of destruction, he does it for the sake of reconstruction, just like cleaning the fish tank.
In day to day life, he destroys our ignorance, when we show inclination to learn. He destroys our tiredness, when we sleep, thus helping our minds to rejuvenate for the next day.
There is a famous saying....Give in such a way that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand gave.
Do as much as you can, and leave the praises to God. This way you neither expect praise for your self nor feel bad if more than what you can give is expected from you.
You must have faith in God, and not keep on asking him your day to day needs. He will give what is appropriate for you and when it is appropriate for you.
Krishna Kills Pootana after feeding on her poisonous milk and sucking out her entire blood, when she attempts to kill all children.
In her previous birth she had asked Vishnu that she wanted to feed him her milk, but sadly thought that she would feed him poison on such occasion. Vishnu fulfilled both her wishes.
Draupadi gets to marry 5 Pandavas. In her previous birth she had asked God to give her husband how is good in five rare attributes. These rare attributes are only with God, but as per her wish, she got five husbands with these five unique qualities.
Kumbhakarna was about to ask Indra Asanaa (Indra's position) but ended asking Nidra Asanaa (sleep) and slept for years together and woke up only to eat. His death was due to premature wake up.
A rishi started doing a Yagyan (Ritual) to kill Indra, but a small mispronunciation made his request such that he was killed by Indra.
Your luck will run out eventually and then you might be left to repent.
It is better, if we attribute the deed and its success to God, and ask for his support before starting them.
Duryodhana and Arjuna went to Krishna to ask for his help. Duryodhan entered first and sat near his head, while Arjun at his feet, while Krishna was relaxing. So when Krishna woke up, he saw Arjun with folded hands and promised to help. Duryodhan cried foul, to which Krishna promised him help too. Duryodhan opted for Krishna's army, while Arjun chose Krishna himself.
So despite, Duryodhan having the ultimate warriors like Bhisma Pitamaha (whom even Parasu Ram couldn't defeat), Drona (their teacher), Karna (who was equal to Arjun), several others including Maternal Uncle of Pandavas (whom he sided on his side by tricking him), his 99 brothers and a large army, faced defeat.
Krishna knew all the solutions to each problem and when played at the right movement, brought decisive win and finally victory.
Ravana had several strong warriors on his side, but he forced his brother Vibhishana to leave just because he gave good advice. As a result, all the secrets where revealed and Rama won the battle.
Even before Ram started the war, he offered peace to Ravan, but the denial lead to his downfall.
Indra and ShukrAcharya (teacher of the Ashuras) approached Shiva for Mrita Sanjivani (a mantra that can bring back life in a dead body). Shiva was pleased with Shukracharya's humble attitude, but he asked them to do penance to get the mantra. Shukracharya attempted the penance, while Indra set to disturb him during the penance. This resulted in Shiva teaching the mantra to Shukracharya.
As a result Indra had difficulties to fight the ever re-living Ashuras.
Even long before the war started, he defeated several strong kings or converted them as allys, thus paving the way for better help and a chance to stand.
He supported them even in the direst situations, but never stopped them or influenced them from not taking a step, thus paving a way for them to learn.
On Krishana's advice, Arjun went to do penance for Shiva. Shiva disguised as a Hunter, came to test Arjun before giving him his request. Arjun fought with Shiva in all possible ways, and he fought earnestly, like a true warrior, but for a just reason. Shiva on the other hand just defended/deflected the attacks.
This was like a father/teacher would do to teach his child/student. Finally Shiva revealed himself and gave Arjun the necessary boons and advised him to use them only in the direst of the situations.
Vishnu came in form of a Vaman (small brahmin), took 3 steps of land, and took back all the land that Bali, a rakshasa, had won by performing Sahastra AshwaMedha Yagyan, in just 2 steps. Then, after putting his third step on him, he blessed the humble Bali to rule over Patal Loka for a long time.
Vishnu, in form of Rama, killed several rakshasas but he did not end there race. He made the humble Vibhishana the king. Earlied, he killed the arrogant Vali and made Sugreeva the Vanara (Ape) King.
Shiva gave Vindhya Parvat (mountain) to grow as much as he wanted to, as long as he did not cause issues to others. When his enormous, ever growin height caused an issue, he asked Rishi Agastya to put a check on his height.
Shiva or Brahma never stopped giving chance to who ever asked for a boon, and thus gave them a fair chance to use it. The wrong were punished using the same boon they had received.
When Shiva gave BhasmaAsura (an asura who could turn any one to ash by simply putting his hand on them), Vishnu came in the disguise of Mohini, and made the asura end him self by putting his own hand on his head.
(Draft)
Many people say that so and so person is the best Father/Mother/Brother/Sister/Wife in the world.
It doesn't mean that they are comparing them to all other people in the world.
It means that they got most of whatever they expected and more from them.
Similarly, many people believe in different Gods. Hindus believe in different forms of Gods.
For example, Vishnu has taken several avatars (incarnations), of which 10 (Das Avatar) are considered as most important. His consort, Lakshmi, has accompanied him as and when necessary.
Similarly, Vishnu's sister, Shiva's wife, Parvati or Shakti as she is known, has also taken several avatars. Sati (the one who immolated herself), Parvati (the daughter of Parvat raj/Mountain king Himavant), Kali (the dark one, like her brother Vishnu, she is dark in color).
Lakshmi is worshiped in different forms as well. She is worshiped as Dhana (wealth), Dhanya (Food), Gaja (Elephant), Santana (Children), Vijaya (Win) Lakshmi.
Shiva, his sister Sarasvati (both fair, and giver of education in different fields) and her husband Brahma are worshiped by their main form only.
While Brahma writes/creates life, Shakti provides energy to start/sustain life, Lakshmi provides resources to support life, Vishnu maintains order in life, Sarasvati provides knowledge to the creature how to live the life (how to eat, protect itself, and multiply, etc), Shiva takes care of restoring/re-energizing.
They are like Father (who provides for the family and takes care of them), Mother (who gives life to them, loves them, feeds them, teaches the basics to them), Guru (Teacher who teaches different aspects in life, in different forms), We should not compare the roles and responsibilities of them.
Similarly, It is not wise to compare to differentiate between Gods, but to understand them better, we can compare.
A man has a fish tank, and an assorted types of fish in it. He feeds the fish, takes care of the fish, cleans the water of the fish tank and releases the fish in the tank again, but he lets the fish choose how much to eat, how to live and play.
If he doesn't feed the fish properly, or enough, or doesn't take care of the tank itself, it causes problem to the fish. It doesn't mean that he should over feed the fish, or clean the tank more than often.
If we see the same on a much much larger scale,
Brahma chooses what kind of fish to keep in the tank, and to automate the well being of the enormous tank, he has to maintain different kinds of fish.
Sarasvati helps the fish to evolve, based on the environment, availability of food, etc.
Vishnu takes care to balance the fish.
Lakshmi and Shakti take care of providing the fish and let them multiply.
Shiva takes care of cleaning the tank. As Sun, he evaporates the water, but as rain, he fills it again, as earth he sustains the water, but he can drain it as well. In rain and winter, the fish are free to multiply all they want, but in summer, limited supply of water, teaches or controls the number of fish on the whole.
Remove the "I"
If the person says that he is the owner of the fish or the tank, he is proud. If he doesn't take care of the fish, he is bad. If the fish die for known or unknown reasons he is sad. There are different emotions/feelings as long as he feels the "I".But if he can just minimize the thought of "I", he can reduce a lot, starting with "EGO" to all other things. This doesn't mean that he should get rid of his roles and responsibilities.
Even Shiva and Vishnu worship each other, to have a check.
Shiva gives half of his entity (body/soul) to his wife. Thus wife is called his half. For us it is better half, just so that we are not proud.
Sometimes Brahma tries to show that he is more than others. He has to be taught a lesson as and when required.
He is had 5 heads. When he compared himself to Shiva, who also has 5 heads, Shiva cut one of his head.
In Krishna Avatar, when Brahma said that only he is the creator, and Krishna is not greater than him, Krishna teaches him a lesson.
The difference is, Vishnu teaches us lessons by humiliation so that we leave our "I" and "EGO" out.
Shiva on the other hand, removes it. Thus is known as the destroyer. Here destroyer doesn't mean that he destroys just for the sake of destruction, he does it for the sake of reconstruction, just like cleaning the fish tank.
In day to day life, he destroys our ignorance, when we show inclination to learn. He destroys our tiredness, when we sleep, thus helping our minds to rejuvenate for the next day.
There is a famous saying....Give in such a way that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand gave.
Do as much as you can, and leave the praises to God. This way you neither expect praise for your self nor feel bad if more than what you can give is expected from you.
Don't ask too much/Don't ask at all/Ask for others
Don't ask too much
Krishna Kills Pootana after feeding on her poisonous milk and sucking out her entire blood, when she attempts to kill all children.
In her previous birth she had asked Vishnu that she wanted to feed him her milk, but sadly thought that she would feed him poison on such occasion. Vishnu fulfilled both her wishes.
Draupadi gets to marry 5 Pandavas. In her previous birth she had asked God to give her husband how is good in five rare attributes. These rare attributes are only with God, but as per her wish, she got five husbands with these five unique qualities.
Kumbhakarna was about to ask Indra Asanaa (Indra's position) but ended asking Nidra Asanaa (sleep) and slept for years together and woke up only to eat. His death was due to premature wake up.
A rishi started doing a Yagyan (Ritual) to kill Indra, but a small mispronunciation made his request such that he was killed by Indra.
Don't ask at all
Markandeya, Vibhishana, Hanuman, etc, never asked anything, and they got life till the end of the current creation.Ask for others
Other devoted Shiva Bhakts asked Shiva to stay for the other devotees, and they themselves got Moksha. Shiva resided in these places as Jyotir Lingas.Dont assume you can do all on your own
If you start thinking that you can achieve everything big/small, all on your own, then you are wrong.Your luck will run out eventually and then you might be left to repent.
It is better, if we attribute the deed and its success to God, and ask for his support before starting them.
Duryodhana and Arjuna went to Krishna to ask for his help. Duryodhan entered first and sat near his head, while Arjun at his feet, while Krishna was relaxing. So when Krishna woke up, he saw Arjun with folded hands and promised to help. Duryodhan cried foul, to which Krishna promised him help too. Duryodhan opted for Krishna's army, while Arjun chose Krishna himself.
So despite, Duryodhan having the ultimate warriors like Bhisma Pitamaha (whom even Parasu Ram couldn't defeat), Drona (their teacher), Karna (who was equal to Arjun), several others including Maternal Uncle of Pandavas (whom he sided on his side by tricking him), his 99 brothers and a large army, faced defeat.
Krishna knew all the solutions to each problem and when played at the right movement, brought decisive win and finally victory.
Ravana had several strong warriors on his side, but he forced his brother Vibhishana to leave just because he gave good advice. As a result, all the secrets where revealed and Rama won the battle.
Even before Ram started the war, he offered peace to Ravan, but the denial lead to his downfall.
Indra and ShukrAcharya (teacher of the Ashuras) approached Shiva for Mrita Sanjivani (a mantra that can bring back life in a dead body). Shiva was pleased with Shukracharya's humble attitude, but he asked them to do penance to get the mantra. Shukracharya attempted the penance, while Indra set to disturb him during the penance. This resulted in Shiva teaching the mantra to Shukracharya.
As a result Indra had difficulties to fight the ever re-living Ashuras.
God will come to your help if the cause is in greater good and effort is true
Krishna, choose to help Arjun, by driving his chariot, and guiding the Pandava brigade. This way he ensured their victory.Even long before the war started, he defeated several strong kings or converted them as allys, thus paving the way for better help and a chance to stand.
He supported them even in the direst situations, but never stopped them or influenced them from not taking a step, thus paving a way for them to learn.
On Krishana's advice, Arjun went to do penance for Shiva. Shiva disguised as a Hunter, came to test Arjun before giving him his request. Arjun fought with Shiva in all possible ways, and he fought earnestly, like a true warrior, but for a just reason. Shiva on the other hand just defended/deflected the attacks.
This was like a father/teacher would do to teach his child/student. Finally Shiva revealed himself and gave Arjun the necessary boons and advised him to use them only in the direst of the situations.
God doesn't differentiate in who you are
Vishnu came to the rescue of Prahallad, a rakshasa, and protected him several times, and eventually killed his father by taking the NaraSimhaAvatar (Half Lion, Half Man Incarnation).Vishnu came in form of a Vaman (small brahmin), took 3 steps of land, and took back all the land that Bali, a rakshasa, had won by performing Sahastra AshwaMedha Yagyan, in just 2 steps. Then, after putting his third step on him, he blessed the humble Bali to rule over Patal Loka for a long time.
Vishnu, in form of Rama, killed several rakshasas but he did not end there race. He made the humble Vibhishana the king. Earlied, he killed the arrogant Vali and made Sugreeva the Vanara (Ape) King.
God gives a fair chance
Shiva or Brahma also never differentiated in who asked what they asked, as long as they earned it with the right amount of devotion/penance. They always advised them that as long as they did not misuse the boon, they could live happily.Shiva gave Vindhya Parvat (mountain) to grow as much as he wanted to, as long as he did not cause issues to others. When his enormous, ever growin height caused an issue, he asked Rishi Agastya to put a check on his height.
Shiva or Brahma never stopped giving chance to who ever asked for a boon, and thus gave them a fair chance to use it. The wrong were punished using the same boon they had received.
When Shiva gave BhasmaAsura (an asura who could turn any one to ash by simply putting his hand on them), Vishnu came in the disguise of Mohini, and made the asura end him self by putting his own hand on his head.
(Draft)
