Kalabhiti, who later became Mahakal story (Karandham queries)
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Just before moving towards to know about “Kalabhiti story, who later became Mahakal (Karandham queries)“, let us know few basic and important information.
There is an amazing tale related with the birth of Kalabhiti (Kaalabhiti).
During ancient times there lived a sonless brahmin named Manti in Kashi. He did an austere penance to get a son.
At last, Lord Shiva became pleased by his devotion and appeared.
Lord Shiva said: ‘You will be blessed with an enlightened son who would liberate your whole clan.’
In course of time Manti’s wife became pregnant, but amazingly did not deliver a baby even after a long time.
Four years passed like this, but Manti’s wife did not deliver the child.
Manti was perplexed by this unusual event, so he asked the baby, who was still in his mother’s womb, as to why he was hesitant to come out.
The child replied that he feared ‘Kaala’ and this was the reason why he was not taking birth.
The child said: ‘If you can assure me of protection from ‘Kaala’, then I shall certainly take birth.’
How could have Manti given such an assurance. So he took refuge in Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva ordered four of his ganas to go and convince the baby.
The names of these five ganas were:
Dharma
Gyana
Vairagya
Aishwarya
Adharma
They all assured the baby by saying:
‘Get rid of your fear. We assure you that each four of us (Dharma, Gyan, Vairagya and Aishwarya) will never abandon you.”
The fifth gana named Adharma on the contrary promised not to caste his evil Shadow on the baby.
These assurances were enough for the baby to come out from the womb.
But, even after taking birth the child was trembling and wailing in fear.
The ganas said:
“Manti! Your child is still fearful of the Kaala. He is trembling and crying inspite of the best of our efforts to drive away is fears. So he will become famous as Kaalabhiti (one who is fearful of Kaala).”
Kaalabhiti grew up to be a virtuous person.
Kaalabhiti used to engage himself in various kinds of austerities.
Kaalabhiti was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.
One day, as Kaalabhiti was meditating under a ‘bel’ tree (wood apple), he went into his trance.
The joy experienced during trance period was something, which he had never experienced before.
Kaalabhiti decided to regularly meditate under that tree.
Kaalabhiti did penance for one hundred years standing on his toe.
Lord Shiva became pleased by his devotion and appeared in the disguise of a human being.
Lord Shiva said: “O Great soul, please discontinue with your penance. I have brought some water for you! Please quench your thirst!”
But Kaalabhiti refused to take water from an unknown person.
Kaalabhiti requested Lord Shiva to reveal his identity.
Kaalabhiti also inquired Lord Shiva about his religion and conduct.
Lord Shiva told him that he was beyond any religion or conduct.
When Kaalabhiti refused to have water, Lord Shiva dug up a large pit and emptied the pot into it.
After that Lord Shiva disappeared.
Kaalabhiti stood fixed at that place, being stunned by the disappearance of Lord Shiva.
Suddenly, an effulgent of Shivalinga appeared under that bel (wood apple) tree.
Kaalabhiti worshipped that Shiva-linga which was radiating light in all directions.
Now, Lord Shiva appeared and blessed Kaalabhiti to become free from the fear of Kaala (Death).
From that day onwards the Shivalinga situated there became famous as Mahakaala.
Before disappearing once again, Lord Shiva instructed Kaalabhiti to preach Sage Karandhama, who was expected to visit him shortly.
Kaalabhiti himself became renowned as Mahakaala, because he had been successful in conquering death.
KARANDHAMA’S QUERIES
As predicted by Lord Shiva, king Karandhama arrived at the place where Mahakaala (Kaalabhiti) was staying.
First of all he worshipped Lord Mahakaala and subsequently went to meet sage Mahakaala (previously Kaalabhiti).
King Karandhama had numerous doubts regarding the rituals of Shraaddha, so he asked sage Mahakaala:
‘How does the rituals related to ‘tarpana’ satisfy the dead ancestors?’
Sage Mahakaala replied:
‘The souls of dead ancestors are capable of accepting whatever is offered to them. Time and distance does not matter to them.’
‘They accept only the essence of whatever is offered to them and not the gross materials as such’.
Karandhama posed his second query:
‘I think a soul, after it has abandoned the mortal body is bound by its own karma. Then, how can the dead ancestors be expected of giving us blessings and changing our fortunes.’
Sage Mahakaala replied:
‘Not all Pitrus (dead ancestors) are bound by their karma. Pitrus belonging to different classes like deities, ‘asuras’ and ‘yaksha’ are unembodied and formless (amurta).’
‘Similarly, the dead ancestors of all the four castes are called ‘murta Pitrus’ (with form).’
Sage Mahakaala continued: ‘These seven types of Pitrus are considered to be eternal and powerful. They also transcend the law of Karma.
Sage Mahakaala continued: ‘A total number of 31 ganas are subordinate to them.’
‘The rituals of Shraaddha are performed for the pacification of these seven eternal Pitrus.’
Sage Mahakaala continued: ‘These seven Pitrus are the ones who shower blessings on the performers of Shraaddha rituals.’
Karandhama’s next question was: ‘Some people are of the view that one can attain Moksha / salvation only by taking refuge in Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu.’
‘While some think that only Sri Brahma Deva is capable of giving Moksha / salvation.’
Karandhama continued: ‘There are many people who consider Lord Shiva as the supreme liberator. What do you have to say on this?’
Mahakaala replied: ‘God is one. The three deities you have named even they eulogize each other.’
‘It is nothing but foolishness to grade them as superior, average or inferior.’
‘The thing, which matters most in the path of salvation, is individual’s unflinching faith and devotion.’
Mahakaala continued: ‘Any deity in whom he has total devotion is capable of giving salvation.’
Karandhama then requested Mahakaala to describe the appropriate rituals related with the worship of Lord Shiva.
Mahakaala replied: ‘A devotee who puts on ‘tripunda’ mark on his forehead, chest and both the shoulders while worshipping Lord Shiva is blessed to see the divine appearance of Lord Shiva.’
Mahakaala continued: ‘He should enter the temple premise with a pure heart.’
‘After entering the temple he should purify the Shivalinga by removing all the unnecessary articles which may be lying there.’
Mahakaala continued: ‘He should then fill up four ‘Garuas’ (drinking pot with a curved spout) with water.’
‘Articles like milk, curd clarified butter, honey and Sugarcane juice are kept to the left side of Shivalinga.’
Mahakaala continued: ‘The devotee should then come out of the temple and worship the ‘dwarapalas‘. After that, deities like Kuladevata, Nandi, Mahakaala Dhata and Vidhata are worshipped.’
Mahakaala continued: ‘Once again he should enter the temple and sit in front of the Shivalinga and meditate on Lord Shiva.’
While performing ‘ardhya’ he should make offerings of articles like water, akshata, Kusha grass, sandalwood, flowers, mustard seeds, milk, curd and honey.’
Mahakaala continued: ‘Having offered ardhya, a devotee should perform the ritual of ablution with water, milk, curd, honey, clarified butter, and sugarcane juice in the given order.’
Mahakaala continued: ‘While performing this ritual the devotee should also offer dhupa (incense) and chant ‘OM HOOM VISHVAMURTAYE NAMAH’.’
Mahakaala continued: ‘Some other deities whom a devotee must worship along with the worship of Lord Shiva are Ishan, Tatapurusha, Sadryojata etc.
Mahakaala continued: ‘A devotee must also not forget to worship Shiva’s trident. While doing this he should chant ‘TRISHUL DHANUH KHADGA KAPALA KUTHAREBHYO NAMAHA’.’
Mahakaala continued: ‘A devotee should conclude his worship by begging for Lord Shiva’s forgiveness for any mistake that he might have committed while performing the rituals.’
PS: Here one should note that, many Devatas can give ‘Moksha / liberation’.
But all the Devatagans starting from Sri Mahalakshmi Devi, Sri Brahma Deva, Lord Shiva, etc etc etc can do this with the blessings of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.
Only Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu is completely independent of giving ‘Moksha / liberation’, while all others completely depend on Lord Sri Maha Vishnu to give the ultimate ‘Moksha / liberation’.
One should note that after getting ‘Moksha / liberation’, he person will go to Vaikunta loka. This Vaikunta is the abode of Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu.
Since the the whole multiverses belong to Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu, he is completely independent of doing whatever he wishes.
If Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu wishes, then the ‘daridra / poorest of the poor’ can become ‘dhanika / rich person’, similarly ‘dhanika / rich person’ can immediately become ‘daridra / poorest of the poor’.
Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu is known as ‘antaryaami’, means, he is present everywhere, that is, from ‘anu / atom’ to ‘vaikunta’, he is present everywhere.
Lord Sri Maha Vishnu is present everywhere and he knows everything.
We should always remember that Sri Brahma Deva is the putra / son of Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu.
And Lord Shiva is the putra / son of Sri Brahma Deva.
That is, Sri Brahma Deva gets his birth from the ‘nabhi / navel’ of Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu (thus called as Sri Padmanabha), while Lord Shiva takes birth from ‘manas / mind’ of Sri Brahma Deva.
On the other hand, there is no birth of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.
And, all others are Lord Sri Maha Vishnu’s followers!
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