Lord Shiva represents the aspect of the Supreme Being (Brahman of the Upanishads) that continuously dissolves to recreate in the cyclic process of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the universe. As stated earlier, Lord Shiva is the third member of the Hindu Trinity, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu.

Owing to His cosmic activity of dissolution and recreation, the words destroyer and destruction have been erroneously associated with Lord Shiva. This difficulty arises when people fail to grasp the true significance of His cosmic role. The creation sustains itself by a delicate balance between the opposing forces of good and evil. When this balance is disturbed and sustenance of life becomes impossible, Lord Shiva dissolves the universe for creation of the next cycle so that the unliberated souls will have another opportunity to liberate themselves from bondage with the physical world. Thus, Lord Shiva protects the souls from pain and suffering that would be caused by a dysfunctional universe. In analogous cyclic processes, winter is essential for spring to appear and the night is necessary for the morning to follow. To further illustrate, a goldsmith does not destroy gold when he melts old irreparable golden jewelry to create beautiful new ornaments.

Lord Shiva is the Lord of mercy and compassion. He protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed, and anger. He grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in His devotees. The symbolism discussed below includes major symbols that are common to all pictures and images of Shiva venerated by Hindus. Since the tasks of Lord Shiva are numerous, He cannot be symbolized in one form. For this reason the images of Shiva vary significantly in their symbolism.

* The unclad body covered with ashes: the unclad body symbolizes the transcendental aspect of the Lord. Since most things reduce to ashes when burned, ashes symbolize the physical universe. The ashes on the unclad body of the Lord signify that Shiva is the source of the entire universe which emanates from Him, but He transcends the physical phenomena and is not affected by it.
* Matted locks: Lord Shiva is the Master of yoga. The three matted locks on the head of the Lord convey the idea that integration of the physical, mental and spiritual energies is the ideal of yoga.
* Ganga: Ganga (river Ganges) is associated with Hindu mythology and is the most sacred river of Hindus. According to tradition, one who bathes in Ganga (revered as Mother Ganga) in accordance with traditional rites and ceremonies on religious occasions in combination with certain astrological events, is freed from sin and attains knowledge, purity and peace. Ganga, symbolically represented on the head of the Lord by a female (Mother Ganga) with a jet of water emanating from her mouth and falling on the ground, signifies that the Lord destroys sin, removes ignorance, and bestows knowledge, purity and peace on the devotees.
* The crescent moon: is shown on the side of the Lord’s head as an ornament, and not as an integral part of His countenance. The waxing and waning phenomenon of the moon symbolizes the time cycle through which creation evolves from the beginning to the end. Since the Lord is the Eternal Reality, He is beyond time. Thus, the crescent moon is only one of His ornaments, and not an integral part of Him.
* Three eyes: Lord Shiva, also called Tryambaka Deva (literally, “three-eyed Lord”), is depicted as having three eyes: the sun is His right eye, the moon the left eye and fire the third eye. The two eyes on the right and left indicate His activity in the physical world. The third eye in the center of the forehead symbolizes spiritual knowledge and power, and is thus called the eye of wisdom or knowledge. Like fire, the powerful gaze of Shiva’s third eye annihilates evil, and thus the evil-doers fear His third eye.
* Half-open eyes: when the Lord opens His eyes, a new cycle of creation emerges and when He closes them, the universe dissolves for creation of the next cycle. The half-open eyes convey the idea that creation is going through cyclic process, with no beginning and no end. Lord Shiva is the Master of Yoga, as He uses His yogic power to project the universe from Himself. The half-open eyes also symbolize His yogic posture.
* Kundalas (two ear rings): two Kundalas, Alakshya (meaning “which cannot be shown by any sign”) and Niranjan (meaning “which cannot be seen by mortal eyes”) in the ears of the Lord signify that He is beyond ordinary perception. Since the kundala in the left ear of the Lord is of the type used by women and the one in His right ear is of the type used by men, these Kundalas also symbolize the Shiva and Shakti (male and female) principle of creation.
* Snake around the neck: sages have used snakes to symbolize the yogic power of Lord Shiva with which He dissolves and recreates the universe. Like a yogi, a snake hoards nothing, carries nothing, builds nothing, lives on air alone for a long time, and lives in mountains and forests. The venom of a snake, therefore, symbolizes the yogic power.
* A snake (Vasuki Naga): is shown curled three times around the neck of the Lord and is looking towards His right side. The three coils of the snake symbolize the past, present and future – time in cycles. The Lord wearing the curled snake like an ornament signifies that creation proceeds in cycles and is time dependent, but the Lord Himself transcends time. The right side of the body symbolizes the human activities based upon knowledge, reason and logic. The snake looking towards the right side of the Lord signifies that the Lord’s eternal laws of reason and justice preserve natural order in the universe.
* Rudraksha necklace: Rudra is another name of Shiva. Rudra also means “strict or uncompromising” and aksha means “eye.” Rudraksha necklace worn by the Lord illustrates that He uses His cosmic laws firmly – without compromise – to maintain law and order in the universe. The necklace has 108 beads which symbolize the elements used in the creation of the world.
* Varda Mudra: the Lord’s right hand is shown in a boon- bestowing and blessing pose. As stated earlier, Lord Shiva annihilates evil, grants boons, bestows grace, destroys ignorance, and awakens wisdom in His devotees.
* Trident (Trisula): a three-pronged trident shown adjacent to the Lord symbolizes His three fundamental powers (shakti) of will (iccha), action (kriya) and knowledge (jnana). The trident also symbolizes the Lord’s power to destroy evil and ignorance.
* Damaru (drum): a small drum with two sides separated from each other by a thin neck-like structure symbolizes the two utterly dissimilar states of existence, unmanifest and manifest. When a damaru is vibrated, it produces dissimilar sounds which are fused together by resonance to create one sound. The sound thus produced symbolizes Nada, the cosmic sound of AUM, which can be heard during deep meditation. According to Hindu scriptures, Nada is the source of creation.
* Kamandalu: a water pot (Kamandalu) made from a dry pumpkin contains nectar and is shown on the ground next to Shiva. The process of making Kamandalu has deep spiritual significance. A ripe pumpkin is plucked from a plant, its fruit is removed and the shell is cleaned for containing the nectar. In the same way, an individual must break away from attachment to the physical world and clean his inner self of egoistic desires in order to experience the bliss of the Self, symbolized by the nectar in the Kamandalu.
* Nandi: the bull is associated with Shiva and is said to be His vehicle. The bull symbolizes both power and ignorance. Lord Shiva’s use of the bull as a vehicle conveys the idea that He removes ignorance and bestows power of wisdom on His devotees. The bull is called Vrisha in Sanskrit. Vrisha also means dharma (righteousness). Thus a bull shown next to Shiva also indicates that He is the etemal companion of righteousness.
* Tiger skin: a tiger skin symbolizes potential energy. Lord Shiva, sitting on or wearing a tiger skin, illustrates the idea that He is the source of the creative energy that remains in potential form during the dissolution state of the universe. Of His own Divine Will, the Lord activates the potential form of the creative energy to project the universe in endless cycles.
* Cremation ground: Shiva sitting in the cremation ground signifies that He is the controller of death in the physical world. Since birth and death are cyclic, controlling one implies controlling the other. Thus, Lord Shiva is revered as the ultimate controller of birth and death in the phenomenal world.

~Name Meaning

1 Aashutosh One Who Fulfills Wishes Instantly
2 Aja Unborn
3 Akshayaguna God With Limitless Attributes
4 Anagha Without Any Fault
5 Anantadrishti Of Infinite Vision
6 Augadh One Who Revels All The Time
7 Avyayaprabhu Imperishable Lord
8 Bhairav Lord Of Terror
9 Bhalanetra One Who Has An Eye In The Forehead
10 Bholenath Kind Hearted Lord
11 Bhooteshwara Lord Of Ghosts And Evil Beings
12 Bhudeva Lord Of The Earth
13 Bhutapala Protector Of The Ghosts
14 Chandrapal Master Of The Moon
15 Chandraprakash One Who Has Moon As A Crest
16 Dayalu Compassionate
17 Devadeva Lord Of The Lords
18 Dhanadeepa Lord Of Wealth
19 Dhyanadeep Icon Of Meditation And Concentration
20 Dhyutidhara Lord Of Brilliance
21 Digambara Ascetic Without Any Clothes
22 Durjaneeya Difficult To Be Known
23 Durjaya Unvanquished
24 Gangadhara Lord Of River Ganga
25 Girijapati Consort Of Girija
26 Gunagrahin Acceptor Of Gunas
27 Gurudeva Master Of All
28 Hara Remover Of Sins
29 Jagadisha Master Of The Universe
30 Jaradhishamana Redeemer From Afflictions
31 Jatin One Who Has Matted Hair
32 Kailas One Who Bestows Peace
33 Kailashadhipati Lord Of Mount Kailash
34 Kailashnath Master Of Mount Kailash
35 Kamalakshana Lotus-Eyed Lord
36 Kantha Ever-Radiant
37 Kapalin One Wears A Necklace Of Skulls
38 Khatvangin One Who Has The Missile Khatvangin In His Hand
39 Kundalin One Who Wears Earrings
40 Lalataksha One Who Has An Eye In The Forehead
41 Lingadhyaksha Lord Of The Lingas
42 Lingaraja Lord Of The Lingas
43 Lokankara Creator Of The Three Worlds
44 Lokapal One Who Takes Care Of The World
45 Mahabuddhi Extremely Intelligent
46 Mahadeva Greatest God
47 Mahakala Lord Of All Times
48 Mahamaya Of Great Illusions
49 Mahamrityunjaya Great Victor Of Death
50 Mahanidhi Great Storehouse
51 Mahashaktimaya One Who Has Boundless Energies
52 Mahayogi Greatest Of All Gods
53 Mahesha Supreme Lord
54 Maheshwara Lord Of Gods
55 Nagabhushana One Who Has Serpents As Ornaments
56 Nataraja King Of The Art Of Dancing
57 Nilakantha Blue Necked Lord
58 Nityasundara Ever Beautiful
59 Nrityapriya Lover Of Dance
60 Omkara Creator Of OM
61 Palanhaar One Who Protects Everyone
62 Parameshwara First Among All Gods
63 Paramjyoti Greatest Splendour
64 Pashupati Lord Of All Living Beings
65 Pinakin One Who Has A Bow In His Hand
66 Pranava Originator Of The Syllable Of OM
67 Priyabhakta Favourite Of The Devotees
68 Priyadarshana Of Loving Vision
69 Pushkara One Who Gives Nourishment
70 Pushpalochana One Who Has Eyes Like Flowers
71 Ravilochana Having Sun As The Eye
72 Rudra The Terrible
73 Rudraksha One Who Has Eyes Like Rudra
74 Sadashiva Eternal God
75 Sanatana Eternal Lord
76 Sarvacharya Preceptor Of All
77 Sarvashiva Always Pure
78 Sarvatapana Scorcher Of All
79 Sarvayoni Source Of Everything
80 Sarveshwara Lord Of All Gods
81 Shambhu One Who Bestows Prosperity
82 Shankara One Who Gives Happiness
83 Shiva Always Pure
84 Shoolin One Who Has A Trident
85 Shrikantha Of Glorious Neck
86 Shrutiprakasha Illuminator Of The Vedas
87 Shuddhavigraha One Who Has A Pure Body
88 Skandaguru Preceptor Of Skanda
89 Someshwara Lord Of All Gods
90 Sukhada Bestower Of Happiness
91 Suprita Well Pleased
92 Suragana Having Gods As Attendants
93 Sureshwara Lord Of All Gods
94 Swayambhu Self-Manifested
95 Tejaswani One Who Spreads Illumination
96 Trilochana Three-Eyed Lord
97 Trilokpati Master Of All The Three Worlds
98 Tripurari Enemy Of Tripura
99 Trishoolin One Who Has A Trident In His Hands
100 Umapati Consort Of Uma
101 Vachaspati Lord Of Speech
102 Vajrahasta One Who Has A Thunderbolt In His Hands
103 Varada Granter Of Boons
104 Vedakarta Originator Of The Vedas
105 Veerabhadra Supreme Lord Of The Nether World
106 Vishalaksha Wide-Eyed Lord
107 Vishveshwara Lord Of The Universe
108 Vrishavahana One Who Has Bull As His Vehicle

The four Mondays of the month of Shravan are special days for worshiping Mahadev or Shivji.  Young Brijwasi girls are fasting to get good husbands, while others pray for Mahadev´s blessings to attain prema for Sri Gaura-Govinda.

In Vrindavan last night, Mahadev´s temples were decorated with lights and phool bangla (flower bungalow).  In the late afternoon, under auspiciously cloudy skies I set out to see Bankhandeswar Mahadev.

Bankhandeswar Mahadev Mandir

Sanatana Gosvami used to go for regular parikrama of Goverdhan and take darshan of Chakleswar Mahadev.  As he aged he became too thin and weak to walk the long distance to Goverdhan and back.  Then Mahadev appeared to Sanatan Gosvami in a vision telling him not to visit him at Goverdhan, but instead to come to Bankhandi in Vrindavan where Mahadev would manifest himself especially for him.

Bankhandi Mahadev

I also took darshan at a few other temples, and even made it out to see Sri Gopeswar Mahadev.

Mahakaleswar Mahadev in Sakhi Vesh

Reteswar Mahadev with young devotee (Retiya Bazaar)

Gopeswar Mahadev

Shiv Katha

It is said that Brahma sat in deep meditation holding all his vital energies and from the sound of Om that he held close to his heart, emerged Shiv. He came out of Brahma’s forehead.

Shiv married twice, once the granddaughter of Brahma, named Sati and also married Sati again when she was reborn as Parvati, the daughter of the King of the Himalayas, Daksha. He had two sons, Ganesh and Kartikeya.

Shiv is destroyer of evil and the most feared of the gods. He is commonly depicted seated in profound thought, with a third eye in the middle of his forehead. His hair is matted and the crescent moon sits on his head. The river Ganges flows from his head. One popular myth has it that the Divine river Ganges condescended to come down to earth after being assured that Shiv the great god of the Himalayan mountains, had been pleased with a devotees penance, and had agreed to bear the impact of the falling torrents of the river by controlling it in the matted locks of his head.

JYOTIRLINGA

Centuries ago, Shiv is said to have revealed himself to his true devotees in the form of a Jyoti or light. On their request to reside by them for an eternity, he installed himself near them, as Linga. Thus amongst the several lingas in the world, we have 12 which are called the Jyotirlinga. Many have described these Jyotirlinga as the divine light that emerged from the earth at the onset of creation of Mankind, while others see it as a golden egg, as bright as a thousand suns. The places where these are located are today considered to be pilgrim centers, a reference of which can be found in Shiv Purana.

1. SOMNATH

An interesting story is associated with the emergence of this Jyotirlinga situated in the Veraval (Prabhas Kshetra) in Kathaiwad district. According to the Shiv Purana it was on the request of the Chandrama and other Gods that Bhagwan Shankar assumed the name Somchandra (Jyotirlinga) and resided there eternally. He became famous by the name of Somnath in the three worlds. It was the Prabhas Kshetra where Bhagwan Shri Krishna performed all his Lilas.

2. BHIMASHANKAR JYOTIRLINGA

Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is situated in the north of Pune, on the Sahayadri, by the banks of the river Bhima. Pleased by the devotion of a king named Bhimak of the Sun dynasty, Shiv called the Jyotirlinga in his name. However, the Shiv Purana states that Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is situated on the Mountain Brahmapur, district Kamrup of Assam, where Shiv had incarnated so that he could destroy the demons and protect his devotees. On the sincere request of the Gods and sages he agreed to reside there eternally by the name of Bhimashankar.

3. GHRUSHMESHWAR

The Jyotirlinga named Ghrushmeshwar, Ghurmeshwar or Ghushmeshwar is situated in a village called Verul, approximately 100 kms from Manmad station. The Shivpuran speaks of the emergence of the linga through the following story.
In the southern direction, on a mountain named Devagiri there lived a Brahmin named Brahmavetta Sudharm, along with his wife Sudeha. They did not have a child of their own because of which Sudeha got her sister Ghushma married to her husband. By the blessing of Shiv Ghushma was blessed with a beautiful fortunate baby boy. This made Sudeha jealous towards her sister and so one night she took Ghushma’s son and killed him and threw him in a lake. The next morning so absorbed was Ghushma in worshipping Shiv, that she did not deter even when she was told about her son’s death. She said, he who has given me this child shall protect him, and started reciting ‘Shiv-Shiv’ continuously. Pleased, Lord Shiv appeared before her and told her that her sister had killed her son. Ghushma however, told Shiv to forgive Sudeha and asked him to reside there in the form of a Jyotirling eternally for the benefit of the multitudes and be known by her name.

4. KEDARESHWAR

Shri Kedareshwar is situated on the Himalayas, on a mountain named Kedar. NarNarayan, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu performed severe penance in Badrikashraya of Bharat Khand. He regularly prayed to the Shivalinga. Pleased with his undeterred faith and devotion, lord Ashutosh asked him to wish for something. Nar Narayan, requested him to reside there eternally so that all people who worshipped him would be freed from their miseries. Granting the boon, Shiv assumed the form of a linga that was installed on the Kedar Mountain.

This is amongst the seven holy places that can liberate a human.

5. MAHAKALESHWAR LINGA

According to a story, a five-year-old boy named Shrikar was enthralled seeing the devotion of king Chandrasena of Ujjain towards Shiv. He took a stone and by considering it a linga started worshipping it regularly. Pleased by the boy’s devotion Shiv assumed the Jyotirlinga form and resided in it. This Jyotirlinga is situated below the ground in a Garbha Griha. The linga is quite big in size and is encircled by a snake of silver. On one side of the linga there is the idol of Lord Ganesha, on another side is the idol of Parvati and Kartikeya.

6. MALLIKARJUNA

This is situated on mountain named Shri Shaila by the banks of the Krishna river in the state of Tamil Nadu of Southern India. It is also known as Kailash of the south. It is believed that by merely seeing the tip of this mountain one is free from all his sins and worries. The person becomes free from the vicious cycle of life and death. According to the Shiv Purana, when Shri Ganesh was married before Kartikeya it made Kartikeya angry, and despite being consoled by his parents Shiv-Parvati, he went away to the Kraunch Mountain. Shiv-Parvati were very sad and both decided that they would go to Kraunch mountain themselves. When Kartikeya came to know that his mother-father have arrived he went away. Eventually Lord Shiva assumed the form of a Jyotirlinga and resided on that mountain by the name of Mallikarjuna. Mallika means Parvati, while Arjuna is another name of Shiva. In this way both Shiva and Parvati reside in this linga.

7. NAGESHWARAM

I Shri Nageshwarnath Jyotirlinga is situated on the way from Gomati Dwarka to Bait Dwarka.According to the Shiv Purana there was once a demon called Daruk who had collected a huge army of demons and had started harassing all the innocent people residing in the sea. Amongst his prisoners there was a prisoner by the name Supriya. He was a great devotee of Shiv. He advised all prisoners to recite the mantra ‘AUM NAMAHA SHIVAYA.’

When Daruk came to know about this he ran to kill Supriya. Shiv then appeared through a small hole and a beautiful temple with walls was formed. In the middle of the temple a lustrous JyotirIinga was installed. In this way Shiv resides there eternally by the name of Nageshwar and Goddess Parvati by the name Nagesbwari. According to the Shiv Purana who ever reads with devotion the story of the birth and greatness of this Jyotirlinga will get all material happiness and will attain divine status in the end.

8. OMKARESHWAR

God of all the Gods Shiv’s Omkareshwar linga is situated on the mountain Mandhata. Mammaleshwar is another name which comes in the context of OMKARESHWAR, however the existence of these two is actually different. It is said that once upon a time Vidhya Parvat practiced severe penances and worshipped Parthivarchana along with Lord Omkareshwar for nearly six months. As a result Shiv was pleased and blessed him with the desired boon. On the sincere request of all the Gods and the sages Shiv made two parts of the ling. In one he resided as the Pranav or Omkar and assumed the form of Omkareshwar and Bhagwan Sadashiva, while parameshwar, Amareshwar or Amaleshwar assumed form from the Partivlinga.

9. RAMESHWARNATH

It is said that Ram installed this Linga here, when he was on his way to attack Ravana. Ram made a linga of sand and worshipped it and asked to be blessed so that he could vanquish Ravana. He also requested Shiv to reside eternally here so that entire mankind could benefit from it. Shiv then manifested himself and the Linga got installed there for eternity. Those who go to Rameshwar and seek Shiv’s blessings, shall always reside in Shivloka. There is a Shrine named Dhanushkodi twenty miles away from Rameshwaram. It is known for rites performed for the deceased ancestors. In the vicinity of this there are a number of temples.

10. TRIMBAKESHWAR

Shri Trimbakeshwar is situated in the district Nashik of Maharashtra state. Near this is the Brahmagiri mountain from which the Godavari flows. Once upon a time there lived a sage name Gautam with his wife named Ahilya. The ultimate aim of their life was penance and good of others. However the wives of other sages staying in the vicinity, jealous of them, conspired with their husbands, to drive Gautam Rishi and his wife out of the area. All the sages came together and started worshipping Ganesh who tried to dissuade the sages but when the sages did not listen he gave them what they wanted. The sages set up a trap for Gautam Rishi who humbly agreed to take the punishment for the crime that was pinned on him. The sages suggested a penace that only Gautam Rishi’s determination could make him complete. Seeing his dedication, Shiv told him the truth. However Sage Gautama defended those sages and pleased with him, Shiv gave him a boon. Gautam Rishi asked for the Ganga to stay there eternally for the good of all the people. On the request of all the Gods, Shiv resided by the river Gautami by the name Trimbakeshwar (one of the JyotirIingas.). This Jyotirlinga named Trimbak, is the one which fulfills everyone’s desires. It emancipates all from their sins and miseries.

11. VAIJNATH

This Jyotirlinga is situated, in the south west of Keeul Station situated on the Patna-Calcutta railway route. It is said that once Ravana started worshipping Shiv with mind and soul. He would partake Panchagni in the hot summer months, while staying in the cold water throughout winters. During the rains he would stay in the open fields and practice serve penance. He made a Parthivlinga and instal1ed it. He dug a pit near it and lighted fire just beside it. The Vedic scriptures state that he worshipped Shiv in front of the fire. One by one he would cut his heads and offer it to the Lord. When he was about to offer his tenth head to the God, Shiv appeared and blessed him with a boon. Ravana asked for invincibility and tremendous might and power and requested Shiv to accompany him to Lanka. Shiv gave him a linga telling Ravana that the Ling would fix itself to the ground and shall remain there for eternity. He thanked Shiv and holding the linga carefully started of for Lanka. On the way however, Ravana handed over the linga to a small boy who could not withstand the weight of the linga and dropped it on the ground. Despite all his efforts Ravana could not lift it. This Shiv linga is the Jyotirlinga named Vaijnath. By worshipping Vaijnath Jyotirlinga one can eliminate all worries and miseries, and attain Moksha.

I2. VISHWESHWARNATH

This Jyotirlinga is situated in Kashi and is famous by the name of Shiv Vishwanath Kashi. According to the scriptures this place was forever destroyed when the earth was submerged under water (Pralaya). It is believed that those who die here attain liberation and it is here that Shiv gives the Tarak Mantra. The one who prays and worships Vishweshwar with devotion attains all his desires and one who incessantly recites his name attains all siddhis and finally gets liberated.

So Mani Sharma is back after his adrenaline pumping effort in Billa with Mithrudu.I review telugu songs with trepidation as these days one can’t tell which one’s going to hit the nadir plumbing new depths on the way.Such has been the erosion of quality in telugu music.Of course  once in a blue moon a stray album manages to engage and surprise as well but they are very few and far.

Mani Sharma starts off predictably in the form of Aakasam using an age old tune but the pleasant vocals and backgrounds more than make up for it. Vijay Yesudas’s voice oh so remniscent to his father’s voice is another factor that works in favour of this song.The lively By Birthe uses a rock template and who better to croon it than Shreya Ghoshal who seems to have the Midas touch.The tune though deserved some better lyrics than the tacky stuff written by Ananth Sriram.Don’t Touch Me starts of with some middle-eastern interludes but pans out to be the typical Mani Sharma number-the kind we have been bored to death of.It somehow reminded of the latino Touch Me (Dhoom 2) number though they bear no resemblences.The mass masala number finally arrives as Jhummandi.Can’t comment much about it because its tune and singing is as stereotyped as it gets.Priyamani ironically the heroine’s name as well redeems the music director(MD) considerably.The racy tune and the effortless singing makes it all the more attractive.Thellavarithey puts the MD back where he was a song ago-in the woods.A listless number.

That makes it 3 average songs and 3 duds for Mani.Also the lyricists need a rap on the back for conjuring hackneyed lyrics that only add to the tedium.Balakrishna’s efforts to revive his sagging career are seeming futile with every passing film coming a cropper at the BO.Make Or Break for him sadly Mani Sharma seems disinterested in the proceedings!!!

My Picks-Priyamani

My Rating-One Cheer!

In Ujjain, Mahakaleswar is a famous temple. There are several impressive ceremonies that are held here during the day time. Here the shivalingam is ‘bathed’ every morning, If no cremation has taken place at Ujjain, then the ash must be obtained at all costs from the nearest cremation ground.  It contains one of the twelve important Siva Jyotirlingas. The topmost floor of the Mahakaleswar Temple remains closed to the public all through the year. However, once a year – on Nag Panchami Day-the top floor with its two snake images are kept open to the public.

Nitai Gaura Radhey Shyam
Gauri Shankar Sita Ram

From Sankalpa Kalpadruma by Visvanath Cakravartipad: 

vRndAvanAvani-pate jaya soma soma-
maule sanandana-sanAtana-nAradeDya |
gopIzvara vraja-vilAsi yugAGghri-padme
prItiM prayaccha nirupAdhi namo namas te ||103||

 O hey husband of Uma, O hey Candrasekhara (one whose head is the residence of the moon)! O hey worshipable by Sananda, Sanatana and Narada Muni, O hey Gopisvara Siva! You are situated within the forest of Vrindavan. I offer my pranam to you. You please award me with causeless unconditional prema for the yugala Vraja-bihari, Sri Sri Radhe Shyam.

From Vraja Vilasa Stava by Raghunath Das Goswami:

mudA gopendrasyAtmaja bhuja pariSraGga nidhaye
sphurad gopIvRndair yam iha bhagavantaM praNayibhiH |
bhajadbhis tair bhaktyA svam abhilaSitaM prAptam
acirAd yamI-tIre gopIzvaram anudinaM taM kila bhaje || 87||

I daily worship Gopisvara Sadasiva, who was devotedly worshipped on the bank of the Yamuna by the loving gopis who desired the jewel-like embrace of the arms of Sri Krishna, the prince of Braja, and who thus swiftly attained their desired object.

And at the very end of the Srimad Bhagavatam this verse is found:

nimna-gAnAM yathA gaGgA
devAnAm acyuto yathA |
vaiSnavAnAM yathA zambhuH
purAnAnAm idam tathA ||12.13.16||

Just as the Ganga is the greatest of all rivers, Acyuta is the supreme among Divinities, and Sambu is the greatest Vaisnava, so is the Bhagavata  the greatest of all Puranas.

Jai Kundesvara Mahadev!

Jai Gopisvara Mahadev!

 

 

          They say, laughter is the best medicine; they also say good films help producers laugh all the way to the bank. But here’s one filmmaker you would have least expected to see to make comic capers.

Yes, it is Shyam Benegal who now seems raring to attempt a genre he’s hardly ever ventured into during his illustrious career. “This is the time when people seem to appreciate comic satires and all that. It appears to be the right kind of time to make a comedy,” said Shyam Benegal.

And his directorial first in comedy will be “Welcome to Sajjanpur”–a movie thats rather high on some heavy duty rustic humour.

“I think you better see the film. It’s going to take another 2 and a half weeks to get it released. That’s not long to go”, Shyam Benegal.

For Benegal who is better known for his films like Manthan, Sardari Begum and ZUbeida, films that are a tad removed from commercial sensibilities and compromises. Welcome to Sajjanpur is indeed a huge deviation.

Clearly the lines that divide parallel and mainstream cinema is blurring and considerably at that!

Read more on: http://www.timesnow.tv/NewsDtls.aspx?NewsID=14760

Mahadev
Means “Great Lord” -
A Sanskrit pronunciation
Of the man
About to stand
Before your eyes;
But some anonymous bastard
Decided to bastardize
Your name
And reduce it to some
Common, ordinary junk
Called Maday
Without any color
Or sound.
But I’ve found
The forgotten beauty
Almost erased by a British stamp
Lingering in three simple
Syllables -
Mahadev.

Written 4/23/08
© 2008 Nicole Nicholson. All Rights Reserved.

Kailash North Face

Originally uploaded by sewage

महाशिवरात्रि पर कुछ करने की सोचा तो, क्‍यों न महाशिवरात्रि पर शंकर भगवान के महा स्‍वरूप कैलाश पर्वत और मानसरोवर का दर्शन किया जाय , मेरी दुनिया इंटरनेट पर आधारित है, कोशिश तहती है कि अधिक से अधिक इंटरनेट में ही रहा जाय, सोचना , काम करना और जीना इसी इंटरनेट की दुनिया में ।

और मनचाहा मिला भी , आप भी दर्शन करें भव्‍य कैलाश पर्वत का, अद्भुत आल्‍हादकारी ।धन्‍यवाद है इस परम आनन्‍द देने वाले फोटो को दुनिया के दर्शन हेतु इंटरनेट में प्रकाशित करने वाले का ।