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Why is the tale of Krishna and Sudama's friendship so widely known?

We learn about the true significance of friendship from the well-known tale of Lord Krishna and his youth companion Sudama. Sudama was a destitute man who battled to support his wife and himself.

When nothing worked for Sudama, his wife advised him to visit his friend, Krishna, for help.

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Discover the Top 5 Stories of Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is one of the most auspicious festivals celebrated in Hinduism. The people of India wait eagerly for the festival to celebrate the bond of brother and sister. This August 19th, India will celebrate the bond of siblings with great pomp and grandeur. However, Hindu people came to know about this ever-glorious day dedicated to naughty people, famously known as brothers and sisters in Hinduism. We at Vedic Story have discovered some incredible tales that explain the origin of Raksha Bandhan. Let’s unearth together!

1. The Story of Shubh, Labh, and Goddess Santoshi

Lord Ganesha was thrilled and waited for the arrival of Goddess Manasa to celebrate Raksha Bandhan together.

Manasa Devi reached Kailash, and Ganesha was welcomed happily. Ganesha sat on a mat, and Manasa, the daughter of Lord Shiva, tied a colorful thread to Ganesha’s wrist.

Seeing this happiness, Shubh and Labh wanted to feel the same as their father, Ganesha. However, they didn’t have any sisters to feel the love and bond of brother and sister.

Shubh and Labh were angry with the fact that they had no younger sister who could shower such pure love on them.

On the other hand, Ganesha came to know about his son’s anger and fury with him. Ganesha asked his sons if they should stop sulking with him for this reason. Shubh and Labh did not agree with their father and began to beg for a sister. They wanted to experience the happiness and feeling of being loved and participate in Raksha Bandhan as their father.

2. The Birth of Goddess Santoshi, Sister of Shubh Labh

After considering the facts and experiencing the need for a daughter in Kailash, Ganesha was convinced.

He created the goddess Santoshi. Thus, Shubh and Labh became brothers, and Ganesha became the father of a daughter. Thereafter, the brothers enjoyed Rakhi with their sister when she tied a colorful, eye-catching thread to their wrists.

3. The Story of Krishna and Draupadi

Krishna and Draupadi are the most prominent characters in the epic Mahabharata. Krishna always called Draupadi his friend and suggested doing whatever she considered good for her and her dharma. Their friendship was famous in the entire Aryavrat region.

However, one such incident happened that became a turning point in Drapadi’s life.

Once, Krishna visited Indraprastha to attend the Yagna of Yuthishthir. They were enjoying an afternoon one day. Krishna, Arjun, and Draupadi were flying kites. Suddenly, a thread cut Krishna’s finger. Blood was flowing. Draupadi saw and felt the pain of her friend and immediately tore her sari to bandage his wound.

Krishna felt love and gratitude for having such a caring friend. He promised to repay her in some way in his life.

The Great Insult of Draupadi at Kuru Kingdom

Duryodhan planned to insult Draupadi for insulting him while he was in Indraprastha. He invited the Pandavas and Draupadi and defeated them all in the game of chess. Duryodhan ordered Dushashan to naked Draupadi at the court of the Kuru Kingdom.

Krishna was at war, but he knew that his friend was in pain and needed her. He rescued Draupadi from being naked with the sari; she bandaged Krishna’s finger miraculously.

Mahabharata, the War of Kurukshetra

To avenge the insult of Draupadi, Pandavas hoisted the Mahabharata with Kuru Rasthra and the sons of Dhritrastra.

Draupadi tied Rakhi to Krishna’s wrist before they went for the great Mahabharata war.

Kunti also tied a thread of protection (Rakhi) to her grandson, Abhimanyu.

4. Yudhishthir tied Rakhi to the Pandavas

King Yudhisthir tied Rakhi to his young Pandava brother’s wrists as per the advice of Krishna to protect them from the impending doom.

Krishna advised Yudhishthir to perform puja on the full moon of the Shravan month and tie a thread to his brother’s hand for protection.

5. Yamuna tied Rakhi to Yama, the God of Death

According to another ancient legend, Yamuna wanted Yama, the God of Death, to visit her, as he had visited her for a long time. Yama visited Yamuna on Raksha Bandhan. Yamuna was happy to see her brother and performed puja, offering him sweet and great hospitality. Yama gave her the precious gift of a promise to protect her forever. He also declared that any brother who receives a Rakhi from his sister will be blessed with immortality.

Therefore, the story of Rakha Bandhan is not only sacred, but it is also a powerful bond of protection and love between the siblings.

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What Are the Sawan 2024 Rituals and Significance?

Hindu mythology is full of interesting Vedic tales. One such legend we narrated at Vedic Story about the Sawan Shivratri in Hinduism. However, today we are discussing why Sawan Month is important in Hinduism. What is the significance, and should devotees observe the religion fasting or vrat?

Before we start narrating the significance of Sawan Shivratri month, let’s inform you that the Sawan began on July 22 and it will end on August 19.

What Are the Important Timings of Sawan 2024?

Sawan is the most important month in Hinduism and the Panchang Calendar.

It is the sacred month of Sawan, the month of rain, religious fasting, fertility, and soul purification.

Sawan month is a month of Lord Shiva that lasts for a full lunar cycle and starts Ashadha Purnima. However, the month is also known as the Shravan and Kawar Shivratri or Kawar Yatra. It began on 22nd July, Monday, and will end on 19th August, Monday. It lasts for 1 month, and this year the festival is going to last for 29 days.

What is the significance of the Sawan Shivratri Vrat or festival?

Sawan 2024 fast has special meaning and space in Hinduism. Sawan Sonwar Vrat is a rite that unmarried girls perform for getting grooms with qualities of Lord Shiva.

Goddess Parvati also performed Sawan Shivratri to get married with Lord Shiva in the month of Sawan. Thereafter, it became a ritual for Indian women to fast in Sawan month.

Indian mythology and sacred texts of Shiva Purana narrates that whoever keeps the fast in Sawan month on Mondays, Lord Shiva will bless them and fulfill the wishes.

Every Monday, devotees observe the fast throughout the day without eating food or water and pray to Lord Mahadev.

What Are the Rituals Devotees Can Perform During Sawan 2024 Month?

Throughout the sacred Sawan month 2024, devotees of Lord Shiva can pray by performing some rituals that not only clean the devotees internally but also bring happiness into their lives.

Kanwar Yatra

Kanwar Yatra is a festival that devotees perform by going to Haridwar and bringing holy Ganga water barefoot. This pilgrimage yatra signifies the cascading of Goddess Ganga from heaven into the life of Lord Shiva to cool down his poison.

Fasting

Many people in Hinduism perform fasts, the Sawan Somwar Vrat, throughout the month. They don’t consume food and water until the evening and after the prayer of Lord Shiva.

Shiva Lingam Abhishek

Devotees in Sawan month perform rituals and rites that cool down Lord Shiva and bless them with prosperity and happiness. They bathe Shiva Linga with water, milk, honey, datura, vel patra, and flowers. This ritual signifies the purification of devotees.

Chanting Mantras

Devotees chant the Shiva mantras, especially the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra in Sawan. It is believed that whoever chants the mantra gets protection from Lord Shiva himself and is blessed with long life.

What Are the Other Festivals Falling in the Month of Sawan?

Sawan month is sacred and has many ancient legends to this month.

Let’s find out some of the most auspicious festivals and Vrat fall in this month.

Shravan Shivratri: This festival falls in the Krishna Paksha of Sawan month. Devotees of Lord Shiva perform fasts and perform puja to the blessings of Mahadev.

Nag Panchami: It falls on the fifth day, Panchami of the Shukla Paksha. People worship snakes in this festival to get protection from snake bites.

Hariyali Teej: This festival also falls in the Sawan month. People worship Goddess Parvati and seek her blessings.

Raksha Bandhan: Sawan month also brings the most auspicious festival of Rakhi, the festivals of brother and sister. It is believed the Goddess Parvati tied the Rakhi to Lord Vishnu, and thereafter it signifies the day dedicated to brothers and sisters.

Kajari Teej: This festival falls in the monsoon Sawan month. Married women sing folktales and sing for good harvest.

Janmashtami: Lord Krishna was born on this day, and the entire India and Hindu people celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, the birth of the most beloved deity in Hinduism. Krishna was born on the eighth day of the darkest night in Sawan month.

Therefore, Sawan 2024 is a sacred month in the Hindu calendar.

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What Is the Story of Sawan Shivaratri?

Sawan Shivaratri is so powerful. It can fulfill any wish of a devotee. However, the devotees need to pray to the goddess in the morning between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.. During this time, a devotee must pray to the goddess as she sits on the tongue between 3:20 a.m. and 3:40 a.m. This time is auspicious, and may all your prayers be fulfilled by chanting the Sawan Shivaratri 2024.

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Where is the 1st Basara Sri Gnana Saraswati Devi Temple situated in India?

Basara Sri Gnana Saraswati Temple is a 5000-year-old ancient shrine dedicated to the goddess of wisdom. The Hindu temple of Goddess Saraswati Shrine is famous among devotees. This beautiful shrine rests on the serene banks of the Godavari River in Basara, Telangana. Sri Gnana Saraswati Temple is the second temple in India, and the first temple, Sharada Peeth, is in Kashmir.

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Tales of Chintamani Ganpati and His Cute Tantrums 

The First Tale is Vishnu’s Missing Conch, and the tantrums of Chintamani Ganpati go like this:

Once upon a time, Vishnu’s conch, Panchajanya, was missing.

Lord Vishnu wondered where it was, as the conch always remained with him.

He began to search for the conch in Vaikuntha, his abode, but couldn’t find it.

He put all his power into finding the conch. 

Lord Vishnu ordered his army to search. 

All the efforts went to waste. 

He began to hear the failed news from his mighty warriors. 

Lord Vishnu got extremely annoyed. 

As the search for Panchajanya continued, Lord Vishnu, out of nowhere, started to hear the sound of the conch from a distance. 

He began searching to see in which direction the sound was coming. Soon, Lord Vishnu realized it was coming from Mount Kailash. 

The Lord started his march to reach Mount Kailash. 

Lord Vishnu Found Ganesha with His Panchjanaya

Little Chintamani Ganpati was so busy blowing and enjoying the music coming out of it. 

Lord Vishnu knows Ganesha’s antics and realizes little Ganesha would not relent easily. 

Lord Vishnu had no option except to ask Lord Shiva. 

He requested Lord Shiva to ask Ganesha to return the conch to him. 

‘Mahadev, Ganesha is blowing the Panchjanya. I was looking for it in Vaikunth and asked my paricharak to find it. 

I then began hearing the sound of the conch coming from Kailash, said Vishnu.’ 

‘He is playing Lord Vishnu. I do not have any power to go against Ganesha’s wishes and ask him to return, Mahadev said calmly.’

Lord Vishnu seemed helpless because the Lord of the Lord made it official that no one could make Ganesh do things without his wishes. 

On seeing the scenario, Lord Shiva began to narrate a story: 

Story of Lord Shiva and Ganesha 

‘Once I was going to a battle, and in a rush, I forgot to worship Lord Ganesha. 

So as a consequence, my army, Nandi and Gan-Pret, were losing the battle. 

Suddenly, I remembered that I did not worship Ganesha first. I then performed the puja. We fought and won.’ 

‘He is the Vighnaharta, and one must worship him before beginning anything new. People must ask him for blessings and wishes.’ 

Lord Vishnu did the worship with his whole heart to appease him. 

Seeing this, Chintamani Ganpati was pleased and happily returned Vishnu’s missing conch. 

The Second Tale of Chintamani Ganpati and Kubera

Kubera, the lord of Yakshas and guardian of wealth, wanted to invite Lord Shiva and Parvati to a feast to show off his wealth.

Understanding his intentions, they said, Ganesha would be there for the feast as a representative of the Lord and Goddesses. 

The assured Kubera went to his palace and began preparing food for the all gods and was happy. 

Ganesha Went to the Palace of Kubera

As he was invited and requested to visit the palace of Kubera, Ganesha got ready to travel with his vehicle, Mushak. 

On reaching the venue, he was welcomed with great interest by the Kubera and thought, “Ganesha is a little child. A little son of Parvati would eat a handful of food, and it may not cost him much. 

Kubera requested Lord Ganesha to take his place because, without worshiping him, the feast would begin. 

Thereafter, Ganesha sat down, and the feast began.

The Great Feast of Lord Ganesha 

Everyone at Kubera’s palace was happy with the invitation and saw the amazing preparation of the great feast.

Gods and deities ate the food and got fulfilled. Kubera was happy to see their content so soon and felt proud. 

However, on the other hand, little Ganesha was eating the tasty food with interest and asking for more. 

The little god was not getting fulfilled with the feast at Kubera's palace. He continued to eat.

Seeing such a scarcity of food, Kubera ordered his servants to prepare more food. 

They kept serving the food to Lord Ganesha, but his appetite was not fulfilled on time. 

Soon, all the food at Kubera's palace was finished. Servants looked at the Ganesha in despair. 

Ganesha began to yell, “I need more food, more food.”

Lord Kubera said that all the food, cooked and raw, had finished, and he was sorry for not fulfilling his appetite. 

Tantrums of Ganesha

As Kubera denied food, Ganesha threw tantrums and threatened to eat his palace with him.

He began to cry and eat the procession of Kubera. 

Kubera Requested Lord Shiva to Help Save Him

Terrified, Kubera went to Kailash and requested that Lord Shiva stop him and save him from this great disparity.

‘Kubera, you said you have enough food to feed all the gods. Aren't you?" smiled Shiva.

“It was my mistake. Pride took me over.” Kubera said, crying.

“Please stop Ganesha before he eats my palace.” 

Parvati was listening to Kubera and handed him a bowl of spoonfuls of rice as a solution.

Kubera, “Give him this bowl of rice with love,” she said.

The Calm Ganesha

Kubera flew to his palace and saw a roaring Ganesha with hunger. He requested that Ganesha eat the rice. 

Ganesha ate the rice and filled it with just one handful of rice. He said, “I can't eat anymore, Kubera.”

The Lord Yakshas felt relieved and vowed never to show off in his life again. Meanwhile, you can also read Chintamani Ganpati Theur Temple story at Vedic Story and enlighten yourself with Indian Mythology

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Top 7 Popular Lord Krishna Temples in India

On July 7, 2024, I celebrated Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 with my mother, aunts, and cousins. It was a mesmerizing event at the Shri Shri Rukmini Dwarkadhish, the ISKCON Dwarka, Delhi temple. 

It celebrated the mango festival and gave up mangoes as prasadam. We were not fortunate enough to get the mangoes, being in line. 

But when Krishna saw us with empty hands, he showed all of us flowers and sweets as prasadam. We were beaming with happiness and satisfaction.

However, let's get to today's topic and discover why Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is the heart of all living beings.

What are the 7 most popular Krishna temples?

Lord Krishna, the enchanter, is believed to be the greatest philosopher. He preached the biggest philosophy book, the Shrimad Gita, to Arjuna and allowed the world to know who he was and live a grounded life following righteousness. 

Several popular temples are dedicated to Lord Krishna, but today we are talking about the top 7 most popular ones. Let's dive!

Prem Mandir

Prem Mandir is dedicated to love, Krishna’s Radha. 

It is situated in Vrindavan, where Radha and Krishna grew up. 

Guru Kripalu Maharaj dedicated the temple to the Lord and eternal love between a devotee and the Supreme Being. 

Prem Mandir is built with white marbles that make the temple look like heaven. It is spread across 54 acres and offers its devotees spiritual and educational knowledge so that they can get close to the Lord. ISKCON Temple

ISKCON Temple is one of the most popular shrines in India and overseas. 

The shrine runs a movement, Krishna Consciousness, through ISKCON temples worldwide. ISKCON refers to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. 

It builds beautiful cascading temples; Shri Shri Rukmini Dwarkadhish, the ISKCON Dwarka Delhi shrine, where we celebrated Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of them.

Dwarkadhish Temple

Dwarkadhish Temple is situated in the city of Dwarka, in the holy state of Gujarat. It is the capital of Lord Krishna, where he lived with his Ashtabharyas.

The shrine is also one of the Char Dhamas and is famous as a holy pilgrimage for devotees. 

It is a beautiful Hindu temple with 72 pillars and is 2,500 years old.

Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple

Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple is the Vaikuntha of Earth. 

Lord Vishnu rests here as Krishna, the prime deity of the temple.

The shrine is also known as the Dwarka of South India. It was built in Kerala, and it is believed that Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Krishna here.

Jugal Kishore Temple

Jugal Kishore is the eternal and youthful Krishna. Lord Vishnu rests here as a young boy who likes to prank and play with his friends.

Jugal Kishore Temple, built in Mathura, is a peaceful shrine and one of the oldest. The temple is also known as Kesi Ghata and is built with red sandstone. It is mesmerizing and huge.

Jagannath Puri Temple

Jagannath Puri Temple is another famous shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is the place where he visits his aunt with Balabhadra and Subhadra on vacation. Hinduism celebrates the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024 every year. Lord Krishna travels on the chariot enthusiastically along with his devotees and siblings. 

Bankey Bihari Temple

Bankey Bihari is another of the most popular shrines of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan.

Lord Krishna is placed here in the Tribhanga posture and blesses the devotees.

The Holi festival is one of the beautiful attractions here. People visit the Bankey Bihari temple in huge numbers to experience Holi in different forms, such as Flower Holi, Latha Maar Holi, and others.

If you want to experience divinity and an unparalleled atmosphere, you must visit these temples of Lord Krishna. 

Meanwhile, you can also read about these temples and the tales of Lord Vishnu and his many incarnations in Vedic Story. What are you thinking? Enlighten yourself with ancient texts and Indian mythology.

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Why is Rama the Hero of the Valmiki Ramayana?

Lord Rama is the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. Vrinda, daughter of Kalnemi, cursed Lord Vishnu to suffer the same pain of separation from Goddess Lakshmi as she did. Vrinda was the wife of Asura King Jalandhan, and Lord Vishnu deceived her by taking Jalandhar’s avatar. Therefore, Vishnu had to take the birth of Rama to suffer the pain and become the hero of the Valmiki Ramayana story.

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Why Did Hindu Goddess Saraswati Curse Lord Brahma?

The story of Saraswati Maa is a secret in Hinduism. Many scholars tried to know how the Goddess Saraswati was born. How did she disappear from the earth, but no one knows the real reasons? And what did Lord Brahma do to that furious Saraswati to curse him? Let’s find out at Vedic Story.

Why Did Lord Brahma Become Impatient During Yagna Puja?

According to the Skanda Purana, Lord Brahma, at the beginning of creation, wanted to perform a huge Yagna.

Hindu scriptures and the Skanda Purana narrate that any auspicious event is incomplete without the presence of a wife.

A married man must perform on all auspicious occasions with his wife. The event or festival is complete if the occasion is completed as per the Sanatan Dharma and rituals of the Vedas.

Lord Brahma sat on the Yagna Puja and was waiting for Goddess Saraswati to come.

Hindu Goddess Saraswati was busy completing her household chorus.

On the other hand, Brahma was ready to sacrifice in the presence of holy sages, gods, and goddesses.

To check how much time Saraswati would take to come to the Yagna he sent a priest.

Why Did Hindu Goddess Saraswati Refuse to Come to Sacrifice on Time?

Mata Parvati, Lakshmi, Indrani, the wife of Indra, king of heaven, Ganga, and other gods’ wives did not come to the Yagna venue. Some revered sages were also about to reach, goddess Saraswati told the priest.

Unless they reached her, she would not come to the sacrifice. Her household chorus was also pending.

The priest returns to the Yagna and narrates the whole thing to Lord Brahma.

Seeing all the goddesses and sages arriving, Brahma got impatient.

He knew that, according to the Vedas, he would not be able to perform the yagna without the goddess Saraswati.

Why Did Lord Brahma Marry Gayatri?

Due to the refusal of Saraswati Maa, Lord Brahma was triggered by rage. He ordered Indra to fetch him a beautiful maiden he could marry for the sacrifice.

Indra found a beautiful girl with a breathtaking persona and brought her to Lord Brahma.

Everyone present at the Yagna was also stunned by Damsel’s pleasing personality and abilities.

Lord Brahma and other gods named the girl Gayatri.

Thereafter, Lord Brahma married Gayatri in the presence of the Trinity, revered sages, gods, and goddesses.

Brahma Performed the Sacrifice with Gayatri

After marrying Gayatri, Lord Brahma performed all the rites and completed the Yagna.

The gods and goddesses present at the assembly were happy with the Yagna but seemed tense as well.

Goddess Saraswati Cursed Lord Brahma

Upon completion of all the rites and the marriage, the Hindu goddess Saraswati came to the Yagna assembly.

She soon found herself shocked to see the Yagna completed.

Saraswati thought about how it was possible; she is the wife of Lord Brahma, and her husband cannot perform any auspicious occasion without her.

After analyzing and seeing the whole yagna venue, goddess Saraswati found a young girl in newlywed attire. She came to know that Lord Brahma married Gayatri in her absence.

Enraged by such a heinous act of Lord Brahma and disrespect towards her, she cursed him, saying that no one would ever worship Lord Brahma on Earth.

Why Did Goddess Saraswati Curse Indra?

After knowing that Indra helped Lord Brahma find a girl so that her husband could marry, she cursed Indra and confined him in chains in a strange land.

Why Did Saraswati Curse Lord Vishnu?

Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of the earth, witnessed everything, but he didn’t stop Lord Brahma.

Saraswati thus cursed Lord Vishnu, saying, ‘You would wander in the woods among men and animals on the earth for a very long time and would be born as a man to suffer.

Thereafter, she cursed sages that they would always, till the end of the Kaliyug, perform sacrifices in exchange for gifts and living.

Gayatri Consolled Goddess Saraswati Maa to Return to Brahmlok

With teary eyes, Saraswati Maa left Lord Brahma.

However, seeing such a drastic situation, Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi went after Saraswati and requested her return.

Gayatri fell on Saraswati’s feet for her mistake.

It moved Saraswati, and she raised Gayatri and agreed to live with Brahma and her.

Conclusion

However, Lord Brahma is still not worshiped in shrines on Earth except for a day a year due to Saraswati’s curse.

We at Vedic Story hope you find the secret stories of Hindu goddess Saraswati interesting and know why she cursed Lord Brahma.