Category Archives: Stories in Stones

Narsimha at Halebeedu

Narsimha- The most ferocious Vishnu

Hiranyakhsa, a demon, who kidnapped the earth, got killed by Varaha, the incarnation of Vishnu. He had a brother named Hiranyakashyapu. After learning about his brother’s death, he went to the jungle and offered penance for thousands of years to Lord Brahma to get revenge. Impressed by his devotion, Lord Brahma appeared in front of him and asked him for a boon.   Hiranyakashyapu exclaimed, Lord Brahma, if you want to give me something, please offer me something I really seek. The cause of my death should not be the thing dry, wet, the water, the fire, the wood, the insect, reptile, the stone, the air, any of the weapon, the mountain, by the men, the gods, monsters, the Gandharvas or the daemons, the dinners, the monkey or any animal in the world. It should not be through any of the Matruganas like Durga, etc. My death should neither occur inside the house nor outside. Nor should it be during the day or night and even more, altogether the means for the death generated by you should not be the cause of my death, o gracious god, I ask the same from you. After receiving these powers from Brahma, unavoidable things about to happen. The monster, after acquiring mysterious boons, started abusing his powers. Deamon King Hiranyakashipu took over all the three worlds, driving the sages and hermits away from heaven.  Hungry for some more power juice, Hiranyakashipu decided to gain some more boon from Brahma. He went towards mount Kailasa and, under a tree, started worshipping Brahma again. Seeing this, already agitated gods came running to Brahma, requesting him not to grant the Demon any more powers. Son of Brahma, an imp of a sage Narad muni, assured deities that Hiranyakashipu won’t get additional boons from Lord Brahma. He and…
Varaha at Halebeedu

Varaha – The Celestial Boar

The Beginnings This is one of those stories that are older than ancient times when the earth was just being created. Brahma had four sons naming Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana, and Sanatkumara, roaming around in three worlds. Once, they decided to pray to Lord Vishnu and hence, reached the gates of Vaikuntha where Lord Vishnu was residing. Jay and Vijay, beloved doorkeepers of the Vaikuth considered them just ordinary four boys and by insulting them, chased those four away. Offended by the treatment, the Sanakadi brothers exclaimed – “You both have been engulfed in Rajas and Tamasi Gunas (superior and dark virtues). You do not deserve to be near Lord Vishnu. Demon life will better suit you.” Saying, that, they curse both Jay and Vijay to be demons. Realizing the mistake, both doorkeepers apologized immediately to the sages. After calming down, sages accepted the mercy petition and reduced their sentence to three lives. And for each life, Vishnu will liberate them from their sins. Hence, in their first life, Jay – Vijay born as Hiranyaksh and Hiranyakashipu. Next, they were born as Ravan and Kumbhakarna in Treta Yug, and for third life, they were liberated by Krishna, in the form of Shishupala and Dantavakra in Dwapar Yug.   King Daksha Prajapati, had three daughters. One was Sati, who married Mahadev, and the other two were Diti and Aditi. One of the legendary Sapta Rishi, Sage Kashyap married both Diti and Aditi. Aditi gave birth to Gods Surya and Agni. Diti, was pregnant, and after carrying her child for hundred years in her womb, Hiranyaksha was born, and with him, the Demon race began.  Hiranyaksh, grown to become a mighty demon. He went and performed penance for thousands of years to Brahma and Brahma granted him unlimited powers. Brahma also said that he…