DIVINEINFORMATION PART 30 Dear friends,
While going through one of my external memory device, I came acrosssome good information stored from websites. I thought of sharing interesting ones from them as a series. In part 30 , I am starting with 107TH item in this posting. Sincerely, GopalaKrishnan 9-6-21 107 Venkateshwara Venkateshwara (Venkateshwer or Venkatachalapathi) is anotherform of Lord Vishnu who is also very popular as a Hindu deity. He is also knownas Balaji or Bithala.He has a dark complexion and four hands. In his two upper hands he holds a discus (a symbol ofpower) and a conch s hell (a symbol of existence). With his lower handsextended downward he asks devotees to have faith and surrender to him forprotection. 108Planetary Deities There are nine planetary deities which are also referred to as Nava(Nine) Grahas (Planets). These grahas are supposed to have a significant impacton the lives of an individual. The Hindu science of study of these planets is called the VedicAstrology. Classical Vedic astrology uses the seven visible planets; the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury,Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, along with the two lunar nodes, the north and southnodes, Rahu and Ketu. 1 Surya/Sun He is the God- a living God - whom everyone can see, perceive and pray to. Though he is visible, he alsohas been presented in a variety of forms. He is the life-giver and time-giver. In the six sects established byAdi Sankara, Souram is one devoted to Sun God. Even in other religions, Sunworship has place. In the Zodiac, Sun occupies a prominent place - the Center. The grihais the source of life and He is therefore described as the life-giver(Pranadhata). He helps one gain his eyesight and Suryanamaskar (worship byprostration) will strengthen one's bones, cure illness, cleanses the devoteefrom his sins and bestows on him progeny, wealth, good-health and long life. He is the cause for rain-fallbenefiting the world. The Vedas adore him as a witness of all actions (Sakshi). Worship ofthis devata on Sunday is supposed to bring in manifold benefits to theworshippers. He is the lord of Leo in the Zodiac. He stays one month in each Rasiand takes 365 days or 12 months to complete a round of 12 Rasis. 2Angaraka/Mars In the Zodiac.ANGARAKA orMARS is regarded as a God of martial character, red in every aspect. A prayer to this planet frees onefrom debts, poverty and illness afflicting the skin. This griha bestows property andconveyance (Locomotion). Loss of eyesight can be restored by a prayer toAngaraka. Tuesdays are intended for the worship of Angaraka wholoves the chanting of Sama Veda. In the Zodiac, He is the Lord of "Mesha" and"Vrischika". He stays 1 1/2 months in each Rasi taking 18 months tocomplete the cycle. 3 Brihaspati/Jupiter Worship ofBRIHASPATI orGURU (JUPITER) Devata results in a cure from ailments affecting the stomach andhelps one to ward off his/her sins, helps him/her in gaining strength, valor,longevity etc. He grants the boon of father-hood to the childless, good education (Vidya).He is revered as theGuru of Devas, protector of the world and is a Sreshta among the wise. Kind-hearted he is considered the Loka Guru and dispenser of justiceand can be known only by a proper study of the Vedas. Thursdays are consideredto be the best day for the worship of Jupiter. In the Zodiac. He is the Lord ofDhanus and Meena. Guru stays for one year in each Rasi, taking 12 years tocomplete the cycle. 4 Budha/Mercury BUDHA orMERCURY is consideredas the greatest among the wise. This Devata bestows wisdom and wealth etc. onhis devotees. He removes evil thoughts from their minds. He is the chief amongGnanis (Realised souls). He is considered Vishnu Rupi,because of his beauty and resemblance. A prayer toHim, especially on Wednesdays brings in manifold benefits like removal of allobstacles, helps one to get a progeny,possession of fertile lands etc. In the Zodiac this devata is the Lord of Mithuna and Kanya. He stayslike the Sun, one month in each Rasi completes the cycle in 12 months, more orless closely in the footsteps of the Sun. 5 Chandra/Moon CHANDRA (MOON)is a lovableGod - a loving god. Pleasing to children as well as elders universallyappealing to everyone whatever may be the religion of the onlooker. Sages and devotees invoke the Goddess Mother in Chandra and meditatefor hours. This griho (Moon)causes nightfall strengthens the mind, purifies the blood and is considered asthe mother who radiates nectar (Amrut). Worship of this griha is said tobe beneficial for relief from all sorrows, helps in curing mental afflictions.etc. His cool rays radiate happiness around. He adores the head of Lord Siva. Worshipping Chandra on Mondays is saidto be very effective in getting one's prayers answered. In the Zodiac he is thelord of Cancer. He stays 2 1/4 days in each Rasi completing a round of the 12Rasis in 27 days. 6 Ketu/South Node of the Moon Ketu brings prosperityto the devotee's family removes the effect of snakebite and illness arising outof poisonous matter entering one's body He grants good health, wealth, cattleand all around prosperity. Lunar and solar eclipses aresaid to occur because of Rahu and Ketu. 7 Rahu/North Node of the Moon The Skanda Purana saysthat Rahu is instrumental in strengthening ones power and converting even anenemy into a friend The effect of snake bite isremoved by his grace. The lunar and solar eclipses are attributed to Rahu and Ketu Rahu andKetu stay 1 1/2 years in each Griha. 8 Sanischara/Saturn The grihaSANISCHARA(Saturn), also known as Manda, is generally known to affect one adversely onoccasions when he occupies certain positions in one's horoscope like Saade Sati(7 1/2 years) Ashtama Sani (Saturn in 8 Th house - 2 1/2 years) etc. A prayer to this Devata,especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate the hardships one will have toface during these periods. Sanischara is considered equally abestower of all benefits to the devotees who pray sincerely to him. He is the Lord of Makaram and Kumbam He is the slowest moving planettaking 2 1/2 years in each Rasi, completing one cycle every 30 years. 9 Sukra/Venus Sukra is thebestower of long life, wealth, happiness, children, propertyand goodeducation. He is the Guru for Asuras. Well learned in Neeti Sastras follower ofsuch sastras and one who dispenses justice, Sukra is considered a beneficial devata. He blesses thedevotees with power to control one's Indriyas (Sense organs) and enables thedevotee to obtain fame and name. Fridays are considered to be effectivefor the worship of Sukra. In the Zodiac, he is the Lord of Tulo. Sultra takesone year to complete the Zodiac cycle living one month in each Rasi. 109Devatas Vedic deities are generally referred to as devatas. Indra, for example is the king ofall the devatas and rules the swargloka. Agni and Surya (a planet deity) are also very important Gods of theVedic era. Yagna or Homa, or the ritual involving fire was a very importantsacrament during the vedic period, during the homa, offerings were made toAgni. 109-1 Agni The Fire God has been worshipped by Hindusfrom the Vedic ages till today. Agni is one of the three supreme deities of the Rig Veda: Agni, Vayuand Surya. These three Gods preside over earth, air and sky respectively. When Agni is described in anthropomorphic form, he sometimes has twofaces which are smeared with butter. He has seven fiery tongues andsharpened, golden teeth. He is red in color, with blackeyes and wild, black hair. He has seven arms and three legs, and seven rays oflight emanate from his body. He either rides on a ram, or on a chariot, pulled by goatsor sometimes parrots. In Rig Veda, a number of hymnsare addressed to Agni. Agni is the son of Angiras and the grandson of Sandila,one of the seven great sages. Vishnu Puran, however, claims that Agni is the eldest son of Brahma. His wife is Swaha and throughhis marriage he has three sons, Pavak, Pavman and Suchi. In Hari Vans, Agni is clothed in black and has smoke as his standardand carries a flaming javelin. He has four hands and rides in a chariots drawnby red horses. Agni Purana is said to have beenrecited by Agni himself to sage Vashist. It has portions on ritualisticand mystic methods of worship, the art of wars the laws of Hindus andglorification of Shiva. The proper offering to Agni, isghee, which is clarified butter. Agni also had the power toimpart immortality on mortals, as well as remove all sins at the time of one'sdeath. 109-2Indra is the God of firmament and the kingof the abodeof Gods. In the early Vedic age, Indra is the top ranking figure among Gods. Yet, he is not equivalentto Omkar or Brahma because he has a parentage. His complexion is goldenand sparkling; he rides on a golden chariots drawn by two red strong horseswith a thick and flowing manes and pointed tails. His favorite weapon is thethunderbolt which he carries in his right hand; sometimes he is alsorepresented as having a big bow with long pointed arrows as well as hook and anet. He is the ruler of the atmosphere and weathers are at his command. In the Vedas, more hymns areattributed to him than any other God, indicating that he was then widelyworshipped for his kindness, bestower of rains and the giver of fertility. Hisconsort is Indrani. 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