ఉరుకుంద స్వామి విశిష్ఠత

ఉరుకుంద స్వామి విశిష్ఠత:

   

ఒక ముని పేరు హిరణ్య (ఎక్కువ పిలిచేది ఈరన్న లేదా వీరన్న )ఇతను చాల సంవత్సరాల వరకు రావి చెట్టు కింద  తపస్సు చేసేవారు  ఉరుకుంద గ్రామమం లో. అక్కడ ఉన్న ముగా జీవులు అతని చుట్టు చేరుతాయి . ఆ ముని వాటి ఆలనా పాలనా చూసేవాడు . అక్కడ గ్రామ ప్రజలు ముని కోసం అని పండ్లు మఱియు తినే పదార్థలు యిచ్చి అశీర్వాదాలు పొందేవారు. 

ఈ గ్రామ ప్రజలందరు  ఆ ముని దెగ్గర వైద్యం పొందేవారు. 

ఒక రోజు , ఆ ముని రావి చెట్టు కిందనుండి అదృశ్యం ఐపోయారు. అదే సమయానికి శ్రీ లక్ష్మి నరసింహ స్వామి విగ్రహం ఆ చెట్టు కింద వెలిసింది. ఆ తర్వాత నుండి చెట్టు కింద వెలిసిన శ్రీ లక్ష్మి  నరసింహ స్వామి విగ్రహానికి గ్రామప్రజలందరూ పూజలు మొదలుపెట్టారు . 

అక్కడ ప్రజలకి ఆ ముని విగ్రహాన్ని,నరసింహ స్వామి విగ్రహం పక్కన ప్రతిష్టించాలని  అనుకున్నారు.ఎందుకంటె ఆ గ్రామానికి క్షేత్రపాలకుడి లాగా ఉండేవారు. తరవాత ఆ గ్రామప్రజలందరు కలిసి వెండి విగ్రహాన్ని తయారు చేపించారు ,ఆ విగ్రహానికి వీరభద్ర స్వామి అని పేరు పెట్టారు. శ్రీ లక్ష్మి నరసింహ స్వామి విగ్రహం పక్కనే వీరభద్ర స్వామి విగ్రహం ప్రతిష్టించారు . 

శ్రీ లక్ష్మి నరసింహ స్వామి విగ్రహానికి  మరియు వీరభద్ర స్వామి విగ్రహానికి , వీర శైవ సాంప్రదాయ పద్ధతిలో ఇప్పటి వరకు పూజలు అదే సంప్రదాయం లోనే  జరుగుచున్నవి. 

ఇప్పటివరకు రావి చెట్టుకి పూజలు , అభిషేకాలు జరుగుచున్నవి. కొన్ని వేల మంది భక్తులు వచ్చి శ్రీ లక్ష్మి నరసింహ స్వామి ఆశీర్వాదాలు పొందుతారు. 

ఒక సారి గురు రాఘవేంద్ర స్వామి తుంగభద్ర నది తీరమున ప్రయాణిస్తుండగా వారి శిష్యులకి ఉరుకుంద గుడి ప్రత్యేకతలు  చెప్పి శ్రీ లక్ష్మి నరసింహ స్వామి మరియు వీరభద్ర స్వామి దర్శనమునకై తీసుకొనివచ్చారు.

ఈ గుడి ప్రత్యేకంగా సోమవారం ,గురువారం ,అమావాస్య రోజులో చాలా భక్తులతో నిండి ఉంటుంది  మరియు శ్రావణ మాసం లో గుడిని చాలా ప్రత్యేకంగా అలంకరిస్తారు .శ్రావణ మాసం లో కొన్ని లక్షల మంది భక్తులు వచ్చి దర్శించుకుంటారు.  

ప్రతి సంవత్సరం పది నుండి పదిహేను లక్షల మంది భక్తులు శ్రీ లక్ష్మి నరసింహ స్వామి నీ దర్శించుకుంటారు. ప్రతి నెల మూడవ సోమవారం భక్తులు గుడి ప్రాంగణంలో తాత్కాలిక పొయ్యి  ద్వారా చెక్కర పొంగలి తయారు చేసి నైవేద్యంగా ఈరన్న స్వామికి సమర్పిస్తారు. అదే రోజు ఇక్కడ కుండపోతగా  వర్షం కురుస్తుంది కానీ ఇక్కడ తడిచిన తాత్కాలిక కట్టెల పొయ్యి తోనే నైవేద్యము తయారు చేసి స్వామికి సమర్పిస్తారు.అది ఇక్కడ ఈరన్న స్వామి మహిమ లా ఇక్కడ ప్రజలు భావిస్తారు.

కార్తీకమాస నెలలో చివరి సోమవారం ఈరన్న స్వామికి తుంగభద్ర నదిలో స్వామివారికి పలికిసేవ ,అభిషేకము జరుగును. భక్తులు విబూదిని స్వామి వారికీ కానుకగా సమర్పిచి కొంత విబూదిని భక్తులచే ఇంటికి తీసుకొని వెళ్తారు. భక్తులు ఎవరేనా అనారోగ్యంగా ఉన్నపుడు ఆ విబూదిని నుదిటి పైన రాసుకుంటే తమ ఆరోగ్యం కుదుటపడుతుంది అని భక్తులు నమ్ముతారు. అది ఈరన్న స్వామి మహిమ.

ఈ గ్రామ చుట్టు భక్తులందరూ సంవత్సరానికి ఒకసారైనా వచ్చి స్వామి వారిని దర్శించుకుంటారు , ప్రత్యేకంగా శ్రావణ మాస నెలల్లో ఎక్కువ దర్శించుకుంటారు. భక్తులు స్వామివారికి బియ్యం ,పప్పు,మరియు బెల్లం కానుకలుగా సమర్పిస్తారు,ఇలా సమర్పిచిన కానుకలను ప్రసాదం చేయడానికి ఉపయోగిస్తారు. ఈ నెలల్లో వచ్చే విరాళాలు  సుమారుగా కొట్టి రూపాయలతో ఆలయ నిర్వాహకులు భక్తులందరికీ అన్నదాన కార్యక్రమాలను నిర్వహిస్తుంటారు .

వివాహ వేడుకలు ప్రారంభించేటపుడు ఈరన్న స్వామి ఆశీర్వాదాలు పొందుతారు. అన్ని ఆచారాలు ముగిసాక పెళ్ళికొడుకు ,పెళ్లికూతురు స్వామి వారి డేగరికి వచ్చి దర్శించుకుంటారు . ఆ తర్వాత  దంపతులకి పిల్లలు పుట్టాక స్వామి వారి దెగరికి వచ్చి శిరోజాలను స్వామి వారికీ సమర్పిస్తారు . ఇది ఇక్కడ ఉన్న ఉరుకుంద స్వామి మహిమ ఇక్కడ ప్రజలందరూ స్వామి వారిని బాగా నమ్ముతారు.

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Life History Of Urukunda Swamy

Urukunda Swamy Story:

                  There was a sage named popularly called as Eranna or Veeranna in these areas who did penance(తపస్సు) for many years under a Peepal tree (రావి చెట్టు  )in Urukunda village. All the cows that grazed in the village used to flock around him and he spent a lot of time pampering and talking to them. The villagers brought fruits and food to him and sought his blessings. Sage Eranna helped to cure chronic diseases and ailments of these kind villagers.

One day, Sage Veeranna disappeared from his usual place under the Peepal tree. At about the same time, an idol of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha appeared below the tree. The villagers believed that the sage had appeared before them again as Narasimha Swamy. They placed the idol of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha under the Peepal Tree and started worshipping him.

They also wanted to place an idol of Sage Veeranna alongside the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy for worship. Since Sage Veeranna had been like a guardian angel of the village, (Kshetrapalaka), they made a silver idol of him represented as  Sri Veerabadra Swamy and installed it next to the idol of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.

There is also another version of the story, that Sage Eranna used to advocate a lot for Saiva-Vaishnava unity, and after he disappeared two idols of Veerabadra and Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy were found below the Peepal tree and the villagers started worshipping them together within the same Sanctum Sanctorum.

Both Veerabadraswamy and Lakshmi Narasimha are worshipped as per the Veera Saiva tradition to date.

Poojas and abhishekam are done to the holy Peepal tree. There is no roof to the Sanctum Sanctorum and one can worship the holy tree from the sides of the temple even if the main temple is closed. The temple draws several thousands of devotees through the year, who come to be rid of mental ailments and physical diseases.

Guru Raghavendra Swamy's visit: Once when Guru Raghavendra Swamy was travelling along the banks of the Tungabadra river, he is said to have told his disciples about the Urukunda temple and brought them there to worship Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Veerabadraswamy.

Worshipping at the temple: As mentioned earlier, pilgrims throng the temple on Mondays, Thursdays and New Moon (Amavashya) days. The Telugu month of Sravana is very very special at this temple.

About ten to fifteen lakh pilgrims visit the temple during this time every year. On the third Monday of the month, the devotees make sweet rice on makeshift stoves outside the temple and offer it to Eranna Swamy and the devotees. Every year on this day, it rains very heavily in this area. However, devotees are able to cook the rice on the wet grounds using wet firewood which is considered to be a miracle of Sage Eranna.

The Life Of Anjaneya Swamy

Life History Of Anjaneya:

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This is the story of Pawanputra Hanuman, the mighty monkey-god. Do you know how he was born? The story of his birth is as fascinating as his mighty deeds. 

But to know about Hanuman, we have to go back sometime before his birth. Let us go to the palace of Lord Brahma where it all started.

Do you know who Lord Brahma is? He is the Hindu god of creation. He is believed to live in a beautiful divine palace in his heavenly abode. Such was the beauty of the palace that it was a constant source of amazement for even the deities. 

There were a number of attendants in the celestial palace-courts of Lord Brahma. Among them was a beautiful attendant named Anjana. Once, happy with her service, Lord Brahma decided to reward her. He called her and asked what she wanted.

Anjana hesitated at first. Then she replied "Lord, I wish you could remove a curse pronounced on me by a sage,"

"Tell me about it. Maybe I can help you" said Lord Brahma.

Hopeful that her curse may be removed, Anjana continued "When I was playing as a child on earth, once I saw a monkey meditating with its legs folded in a lotus pose, like a human sage. It was a funny sight; so I threw some fruits at it."

"But here I made a mistake. For it was no ordinary monkey. A powerful sage had taken the form of a monkey to do his tapasya (spiritual practice). My fruits disturbed his penance and he opened his eyes in great indignation."

"As soon as he saw me, he cursed me that I would become a monkey when I fall in love with anyone. I begged him to forgive me."

"The sage said that as he had already uttered it, he couldn't change the curse. But he assured me that the man I fall in love with will love me in spite of my monkey face."

"Lord Brahma, I was born and brought up here. How can I live with a monkey face among my beautiful sisters? If you kindly grant me a boon to become my usual self, I will be very much obliged," she said anxiously.

Brahma felt sorry for the unfortunate apsara. He thought for a moment. Then he lifted his eyes towards the anxious Anjana.

"I see a way for removing your curse, Anjana," he said kindly. "Go to earth and live there for a while. You will meet your husband on earth and your curse will be removed if you - give birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva," said Lord Brahma.

Anjana accepted Brahma's advice. She was born in the earth shortly afterwards. She lived in a forest as a young huntress.

One day she saw a strong man fighting with a lion. "What a brave man!" she thought in wonder. "How I wish he will look at me!"

As Anjana looked at the warrior in admiration, the man turned and saw her. As soon as his eyes fell on her, she turned into a monkey!

With a pathetic cry, Anjana sank to the ground and covered her face with her hands. Seeing her fall to the ground, the man came running towards her.

"Who are you fair maiden? Why do you cry? Uncover your face. Let me see you," he asked her.

"I cannot, brave man," Anjana answered gloomily. "I am Anjana, an apsara cursed to become a monkey when I fall in love. I request you to please leave me alone in my sorrow," she wailed and peeked at the handsome man through her fingers.

To her great astonishment she found a big monkey-faced man standing before her! If she didn't see his face at first, it was because she couldn't and because till now she saw him from a distance. 

The monkey-faced man understood her surprise. He spoke. "I am not human, though I can take the human form if I want. I am Kesari, the king of Monkeys, blessed by Lord Shiva with magical powers. If you become my wife, I will be honoured. Would you honour me by becoming my wife, dear Anjana?".

Anjana became very happy. She accepted his proposal.

"Then the sage's word was indeed true," thought Anjana, "Kesari didn't mind my appearance because he himself is a monkey!"

Anjana and Kesari were married in the forests. Being a pious devotee, Anjana performed intense tapasya, worshipping Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva was pleased with her. He appeared before her and asked her what she wanted.

"Lord Shiva, I wish you to be born as my son, so that I can be freed from the sage's curse," requested Anjana.

"So be it!". Lord Shiva gave his consent and disappeared.

Soon after this, one day, as Anjana was worshipping Lord Shiva, in another part of the country, Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya, was performing a yagna (religious rite) to have children. It was the Putrakama Yagna. As a result, Agni, the Fire-God gave him some sacred payasa (pudding) and asked him to share the payasa among his wives so that they may have divine children.

Here, Lord Shiva's boon to Anjana started to work. While Dasaratha gave payasa to his elder wife Kausalya, by divine ordinance a kite snatched a portion of that pudding.

Holding the pudding in its tails, the kite-bird flew away from Ayodhya towards the forests Anjana lived. It flew over the dense trees and dropped the payasa where Anjana was engaged in tapasya.

Vayu, the ever-present Wind-God, saw this event. "Go, Vayu!" he heard a silent command in his mind from Lord Shiva. Vayu

Anjana felt something drop in her hand. She opened her eyes and looked at the payasa in her hand. "Is this offering from Lord Shiva?" she wondered and swallowed it.

As the divine pudding went inside her throat, Anjana immediately felt the blessings of Lord Shiva. In due course, she gave birth to a little monkey-faced boy. Kesari was very happy to see his son. The child was called as Anjaneya or the son of Anjana.

Having given birth to Lord Shiva's incarnation, Anjana was released from the curse of the sage. She began to express her wish to return to Heaven.

When Anjaneya came to know about her mother's wish, he became sad. "Mother, without you what will be my future? How can I feed myself? How will I live?" he asked.

"Don't worry, Anjaneya," said Anjana. "Your father is the brave Kesari. Your guardian spirit is the life-giving Vayu. They'll always protect you. When you feel hungry, fruits as red and ripe as a rising sun would be your nourishment."

Saying so, Anjana kissed her son and left her alone. She went back to her heavenly abode.

"Fruits as red and ripe as the sun?" thought Anjaneya. "Is sun such a ripe fruit? Let's see!"

Thinking that the sun was actually some delicious fruit, the baby Anjaneya wanted to taste the sun. Now, Anjaneya was a divine child. His mother was an apsara and his father was a Monkey-King, so it was natural that little Anjaneya should inherit some magical powers. He was, after all, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. So reaching for the sun was not a tough task for him. He made a giant leap to catch the glowing ball on the sky.

Suryadeva, the Sun-God was glowing peacefully in the sky when he suddenly saw a monkey coming towards him. The monkey grew bigger and bigger as he neared the sun. But the terribly hot rays which made any mortal presence impossible near the sun, had no effect on the creature. 

Seeing that, Suryadeva got scared and started calling out for help. "Indra! Indra! Help me!" he shouted.

Indra, king of the gods in heaven, was resting nearby in his heavenly abode. He was surprised to hear the Sun-God pleading for his help.

"Why is Suryadeva yelling for my help?" Indra wondered. "Is he not powerful enough to burn everything that comes near him? Or is it something beyond his control? I have to see what's happening!"

Indradeva promptly climbed on Airavatha the white elephant, his mount, and left his abode to find the cause of Suryadeva's fear. Soon he found that a flying monster was trying to catch hold of the sun. "Little wonder then that Suryadeva was so scared!" thought Indra, who had never seen such a creature.

Nearing the sun, Indra was surprised to see that the monster was actually a giant monkey.

"Stop!" he ordered. "Who are you? Why are you trying to catch the sun?"

"I'm Anjaneya, son of Kesari and Anjana." replied the giant child. "My mother told me that fruits as ripe as the red sun will be my food so I'm going to catch the sun and eat it."

At first, Indra was amused by the child's innocence, so he advised him to return to earth. "This is not a fruit, Anjaneya, this is the sun- the source of all light and life." said he and commanded, "Return whence you came".

But naughty Anjaneya ignored his commands and continued on his journey to capture the sun.

Now Indra became angry at the child's impertinence. He warned him several times not to go near the sun, but Anjaneya did not listen to him.

Finally, the King of Devas became so enraged that he struck Anjaneya with his thunderbolt "vajra".

Kaaabuuuuuuum!!! The thunderbolt hit the child, wounding his chin and causing him to fall down to earth. The "vajra" hit Anjaneya's face. So his cheeks were swollen twice its size. As the boy fell, his body became smaller and smaller. Finally he became the child-sized monkey he really was and hit the ground.

Vayu, the Wind God, was roaming here and there when he heard a big "thud". Curious, he went towards the direction of the noise to investigate.

What he saw shocked Vayu. He couldn't believe his eyes. Anjaneya was lying unconscious on the ground. Who had dared to injure his god-son?

"Who has done this?" he roared but no one answered. Indra had already left for his abode and the sun was once again peacefully glowing in the sky.

The Wind God was terribly angry. "Why should I bother to do my duty when no one answers my question?" he thought.

With great affection, he lifted his godson in his hands and went to the Patalloka, the world below the grounds of the earth.

As Vayu left the earth, there was no air in the world. People, animals and trees struggled to breathe and started to die.

The Sun-God was shocked at the turn of the events and he ran to Brahma, telling Him about the calamity on earth.

Brahma became worried about the situation on Earth. He called Indra and accused him.

"Look what your silly anger has caused!" he thundered. "You have hurt a divine child and now the people on earth are suffering because of your mistake. This is all because of you!".

Indra hung his head in shame. "I am sorry for my actions" he murmured. 

Brahma took him and the other gods to Patalloka and begged Vayu to return to earth.

"I beg pardon on behalf of all men, all creatures and divine beings. Please return to the earth, o gentle Vayu."

"I'll not come anywhere without my Anjaneya", Vayu said firmly. Then, using his powers, Brahma magically cured Anjaneya's wounds. He also gave him a boon saying, "No weapon will be ever able to have an effect on Anjaneya again."

To please Vayu further, Indra said to the boy, "You will be a 'Chiranjeevi' (immortal). I had taken my aim in your hanu (cheek). So from now, you will be called as the valiant Hanuman!"

Thus Anjaneya came to be known as Hanuman and had many more adventures during his childhood. With the blessings of all the gods,Hanuman became a great warrior later and had helped Lord Rama in his quest to bring back the latter's wife, Sita. This incident is known to everyone and is recorded in the great epic called Ramyana.

 godgavethelife.blogspot.com

STORY OF VASAVI KANYAKAPARAMESHWARI

Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari : 

                                      Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari is the goddess or kula devatha of the Arya vysya, Kalinga Vysya and Trivarnika Vysya community as mentioned in the Vasavi Puranamulu written in telugu during the 10th century AD.The most famous temple of this goddess is located at Penugonda West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh,India. 

Kusuma Shresti, the king of vysyas rulled the kingdom Vengidesha, which was ruled by King Vishnu Vardhana. His capital was Penugonda. Though he and his wife Kusumamba were blessed with all the riches and happiness in the world, they had no children. On the advice of his Guru Sri Bhaskara Charya, Kusuma Shresti performed Putrakamesti yagna. Parvathi devi was pleased with the yagna and blessed the couple with twins a boy and a girl

                  
He named the boy Virupaksha and the girl Vasavamba. Astrologers forecast that the girl would bring untold fame to Vysya community. With great joy and happiness, Kusuma Shresti performed the first ritual of a parent – the J athaka Karma. He invited all the learned and sanctimonious people to bless his children. Vasavamba was the apple of her father’s eyes. He called her Kanyka after the name of the vratha he would perform – Sarannava Vratha Kanyka Puja. All the other family members and friends called her by her given name. 

                   
As the children grew up, the boy Virupaksha exhibited strong characteristics of being a great ruler. Under the able guidance of the Guru Bhaskara Charya, he learnt Puranas, fencing, horse back riding, martial arts, archery, statecraft etc. On the other hand Vasavi showed inclination toward fine arts and philosophy. She visited Lord Shiva temple and spent hours singing and meditating. 

                        
She would discuss philosophy when playing with her friends. She would talk about learning from nature, to be steadfast like the rocks and mountains and not be shaken by difficulties in life; to learn patience from the trees. Her opinion was peril would be inevitable if running after materialistic pleasures. She would participate in the discussions on politics with her father and the guru. The councilors always welcomed her suggestions and were very amazed at her perception and right decisions. 

                        
In a short time, both the children grew up to be talented, handsome and accomplished. Virupaksha married Ratnavati the daughter of Aridhi Setty of Aelur town.

                        
One day, king Vishnuvardhana went on an expedition to expand his kingdom. On his way back he decided to visit his vassal at Penugonda city. Kusuma Shresti arranged a grand welcome for the King and he personally went to receive him. The citizens of the town gathered in huge numbers to welcome the King. Amid this pomp and pageantry the king entered the Darbar hall where he was given a ceremonial arathi by Vasavamba.

                         
As the evil king laid his eyes on the beautiful Princess he lost his senses and without deliberation decided to marry her. He ordered his minister to send a formal proposal to Kusuma Shresti. This desire of the king was like a mortal blow to Kusuma Shresti, his family and the entire clan. Vysya community had certain practices regarding a girl’s marriage. As the Vysya girl could not be married to a person outside the family structure, he gently denied the king’s request but the king being blinded by lust was not ready to hear a denial.

                         
Kusuma Shresti then said that he would have to consult with the other elders as he being a leader, should not be breaking the laws. He conveyed a meeting of the leaders of the 714 Gotras. They were called Gotrajas. Out of them 612 Gotrajas were of the opinion that it was a God sent opportunity that Vasavamba to marry to the king.

                          
They opinionated to Kusuma Shresti that they were not strong enough to face the wrath of the king and they were too timid to fight. They saw no point in wasting time, effort or life in fighting with the King. The other 102 Gotrajas were of the opinion that it was immoral to break traditions for riches or fame. They did not want their beloved princess to marry the wicked king. They were ready to give up their wealth and life if necessary to uphold their traditions and protect beloved Vasavamba.

                           
Thus the meeting of the Gotrajas ended in a split decisions. The Gothrajas who sent a “Yes” to the king were rewarded and given valuable gifts. The other Gothraja’s messenger was ill treated by the king. Not knowing what to do, Kusuma Shresti called his young daughter and apprises her of the situation. She was Goddess Durga herself. In a firm and clear voice she addressed the 102 Gothrajas, she said that ‘The king is powerful. It will be futile to face him in the war. Instead of being killed in the war let us sacrifice ourselves to the holy Fire – Agni. Let us prepare 103 fire pits and all of us including my parents will enter it.
                            
 That evening Vasavamba bedecked in jewels and a beautiful silk Sari, the radiant Vasavamba entered the holy fire and performed an Atma Balidana to prevent bloodshed and destruction that a war with the king would have brought about. 

                           
 Vasavi's life is worth remembering because of her belief in non-violence, religious values and her defense of status of women. She became immortal as she has been mainly responsible for the propagation of reputation of Vysyas throughout the world. Vasavi, who had rejected worldly pleasures, won the minds of Vysyas and is the champion of peace and non-violence and will be remembered at all times.   godgavethelife.blogspot.com