Origin of Gayatri Mantra

Gayatri Mantra was discovered by Sage Vishwamitra, who went with his disciple to the forest and came across the sanctum of the mighty Sage Vasistha.

Vasistha greeted them and offered him and his disciple food to eat and a place to rest. In his yard, Vasistha turns to a cow and mumbles some words into the cow's ear. The sage and his disciple suddenly had plenty of food to eat. Vishwamitra was beguiled by this miracle and wanted the cow for himself; he intended to take the cow back to the kingdom. But, Vasistha refused to give him the cow, which led to the argument between them. And ultimately, Vishwamitra has to accept his defeat and go back to his kingdom. But, Vishwamitra has a continuous thought in his mind that Vasistha has some immense power. But then he is a kshatriya, a warrior that he doesn’t dwell with what happened. He thought that the only way I can atone for my sin is that I have to become a Brahmarishi myself. When I am in constant communion with God i will be able to know and the way to atone my sin. He says the same thing as he told Vasishta before he leaves, “Its not over; I will be back.” But this time it was said in a totally different tone !! I will be back, please forgive me.

Goes to the Daivabhoomi, the land of the Gods in the Himalayas and begins to meditate. And what an austerity it was !! He doesn’t drink anything, he doesn’t eat anything, and even he doesn’t sleep. With indomitable will Vishwamitra gains mastery over sleep. Begins to focus on God to enable him find a way to atone for his sins. After a few hundred years Brahma the Creator appears and said, “Vishwamitra, my son, I am very pleased with your great will and single minded contemplation of Me. And with folded hands Vishwamitra was having God contact was thrilled. Brahma told that from now on you will be a “Rajarishi” Means you are a King among rishis and Rishis among kings.

Vishwamitra was aghast. He wanted to be a Brahmarishi but now got a Rajarishi title only. WHY? When he contemplated. Where did I go wrong? Swadhyaya, Self study - He found that when he in deep meditation there was a bird which was making a sound and in a fit of rage Vishwamitra’s rage was invoked because his concentration got affected he curses the bird. And he knew that’s where he went wrong. God may have touched my heart but anger is still deep within me.

Why do I have anger? He meditates on it and finds out that he still have desires, the desire to become a Brahma-Rishi. Why do I have desire? I have desire because I have attachments. He is getting close to the essence of the problem. Why do I have attachments? I have given up my family, my kingdom… I wore the dress of a simple monk. Then why do I have attachments? In another moment of epiphany what a realization it was. I have attachments, simply because, “I DWELL ON THINGS.”

When I dwell on the beauty of a tree, I am attached to the tree, when i dwell on the beauty of the woman; I am attached to the woman. Then what is the solution? I cannot think about the creation, I can think only about the Creator. That is the “TRANSFORMATION.” How shall I seek You, my Lord? Te answer comes, “Seek Me through Service.” “Serve Me by Loving Me.” Viswamitra enters meditation once again, he doesn’t want to be a Brahma-Rishi now. He doesn’t want any attainments now.

 The fountain of energy begins to rise from the base of his spine because of his stillness through the central channel washing away the Vrittis, Vasanas of karmic war disease. His heart opens completely to the presence of God and he stays in divine ecstasy. Finally after hundreds of years of meditation the Supreme being Lord Vishnu arms lifted in benediction, appears in front of Viswamitra. Vishnu said, “From now on you will always be with Me.” “You will always be in Infinite Bliss.”

Hold out your hand, Viswamitra holds out his right hand and in the right hand was given a simple wooden staff. When you speak you will speak God’s will. You are now a “BRAHMA-RISHI.” Tears are flowing from Viswamitra’s cheeks. Viswamitra asks Lord Vishnu, “The hands which hold the wooden staff has done a huge sin. How can I atone for that?”

Vishnu replied, “In this dark age, with your sheer grit you have found Me. Otherwise it is very difficult to find ME. When you can find Me you can find ways and means to atone for your sins and in addition the tool that you will find will not only atone your sin but also a tool which can be used by simple human beings to realize Me. Thy will be done Lord. Goes back to meditation. He goes forward in time to the dark ages, descends in mortal form, and realizes the suffering of people brought about by lust, desire, possessiveness, and all the cycles of births and deaths. He cannot tolerate the pain and agony of the human beings.

He meditates again feverishly, “help me get rid of the pain of humanity my Lord” He continues to meditate for hundreds of years and suddenly he hears a small sound in the right ear. He realizes that when he focuses on that sound the pain of humanity, in his heart gets down a little bit. He focuses more and the indistinct sound gets a little bit clearer. The syllables began to get separate from the sound and they arrange themselves in the spiritual eye. 24 SYLLABLES – 3 lines, he looks at those, and begins to chant and when he says the Mantra, the pain in his heart melts away.

Now he knows that the will of God has been done through God’s Grace, that I have found a Mantra that in the darkest depths of human suffering just listening to it, “I shall call it the “GAYATRI MANTRA” he says. He chants and he hears the chants happening outside of him as well. People are chanting with him. He raises his wooden staff and he sees Sage Vasishta!! Smiling and with deep rooted love, compassion and peace, Vasishta said, “BRAHMA-RISHI VISWAMITRA, the friend of the universe, It was God’s play and he used you to discover the GAYATRI MANTRA for the common man - to relieve him from suffering and unveil the maya to a little extent. You have given such a great gift to mankind.

Gayatri Mantra is so powerful and he who chants it shall become Enlightened. Gods surrounding Vasishta said, “Glory to Vishwamitra!!” Through Brahma-Rishi Vishwamitra the Gayatri Mantra was given to us by God Himself. No matter what our cosmic burden might be, chanting this mantra with devotion is capable of parting the maya, a little bit, so that we could see the eternal bliss of the Creator.

Origin of Ram Raksha Stotra

Sri Ram Raksha Stotra is most powerful protective shield. Sri Ram Raksha Stotra was originally composed in the Sanskrit language and is one of the most popular Hindu devotional prayer that is addressed to Lord Rama.

Sage Budha Kaushika Rishi dreamt of Lord Shiva reciting the entire series of verses and later at dawn wrote the entire Ram Raksha Stotra. Lord shiva ordered sage Budha kausika to create the most powerful protecting shield or kavach for devotees and sage Budha kausika under the advice of Lord Shiva wrote Sri Ram Raksha Stotra.

There is a reference to this divine hymn in Rig-Veda. 'Ram Raksha' literally means 'Protection from Lord Sri Rama (to us)'. Sri Ram Raksha Stotra is also called Rama-Kavach, a shield of Protection by Lord Sri Ram, It is Sri Ram's armour called Vajrapanjarnamedam (वज्रपंजरनामेदं). Ram raksha stotram is considered as most powerful protective shield in the form of mantra. It is said that nothing affects a devotee protected with Sri Rama kavach.

Origin of Hanuman Chalisa

Hanuman Chalisa was written by 16th century poet, Tulsidas, who also wrote Ramacharitamanas. And the fascinating folklore behind the history of the hymn composed by him leaves you in wonderment to the actual power of reciting the chalisa. Read on the story of how an army of monkeys rescued Tulsidas from Akbar’s prison.

This is from the time when large parts of India were ruled by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Folktales suggest that there was a time when Tulsidas, known for his devotion to Lord Rama was called by Akbar. Tulsidas has refused to bow to him and this had angered Akbar. Annoyed by Tulsidas’ actions, Akbar ordered him to be put in prison at Fatehpur Sikri fort.

It was during his imprisonment that Tulsidas wrote Hanuman Chalisa. It is believed that he was in the prison for 40 days and he wrote a verse of the chalisa one day at a time. There is another version wherein he chanted the hymn for 40 days. The miracle, however, happened at the 40th day.

It is said that on the 40th day, when the Hanuman Chalisa was completed, an army of monkeys attacked the court and city and started to create havoc. The rioting monkey would not stop and nothing seemed to help.

It was then suggested to Akbar that it is due to Tulsidas’ prayers and he must apologize. Folklore suggests that Akbar then went to Tulsidas and apologized for his imprisonment and requested him. Tulsidas convinced then prayed and all the monkeys ‘miraculously’ left the premises. Tulsidas also then ordered Akbar to leave Fatehpur Sikri, which the emperor agreed upon.

That was the origin of Hanuman Chalisa and till date people believe in the power of the verses. Each of the 40 couplets have a strong attribution to the many facets of Lord Hanuman and his undented devotion to Lord Rama. It is said to bestow the blessings of Hanumanji on those who chant it, just the way it did its creator, Tulsidas.

Origin of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Mrikandu, one of the strong devotees of Lord Shiva was very upset as he was childless. He knew that Lord Shiva can change his destiny and he decided to pray devotedly to Lord Shiva to make him happy and get his blessings.

Mrikandu and his wife took a long penance in hope of getting boon of child from Lord Shiva. Impressed with their devotion, Lord Shiva blessed them with a child but also warned him that the child will be shortlived.

With the blessing of Lord Shiva, Mrikandu had a son soon who was named Markandeya but on his birth, the priest told the couple that Markandeya had only 16 years to live. Rishi’s happiness turned into sadness but he also assured his wife that Lord shiva who has given birth to their child will take care of him also as he has the power to change destinies. When Markandeya started growing up, the father gave him the initiation of Shiva Mantra. Markandeya’s mom who was always worried told Markandeya about his short life when he insisted to know the reason of their sadness.

Markandeya who wanted to keep his parents happy decided that he will take blessings of long life from Lord Shiva and for the same he decided to penance himself in front of Shivling. He created and chanted the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra continuously.

On his 16th birthday, when Lord Yamraj’s messenger came to Earth to take Markandeya with them, they found him too absorbed in the prayer. They waited for him for a while but then returned back without him. Then Lord Yamraj came himself to Earth to take Markandeya with him but seeing him, Markandeya wrapped himself to Shivling and surrendered himself to the mercy of Lord Shiva. When Yamraj tried to snatch Markandeya away from Shivling, Lord Shiva visited them angrily and decided to punish Yamraj. But on request of the Lord, he calmed down and blessed Markandeya with a long life. Also Yamraj promised that going forward he will never disturb anyone chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.

In times of distress and failure, the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is said to uplift people from the trap of failure and rejuvenate them to think about the purpose of their life. It is said to be a healing force that works throughout the world. Maha” which means Great, “Mrityun” means Death and “Jaya” mean Victory which turns into Conquer or victory over death. It is also known as “Rudra Mantra” or “Trayambakam Mantra”. Reciting the Mantra regularly and keeping the same in home, creates a positive aura all around and blesses one with long life.

Origin of Shiva Tandav Stotra

The story goes as such; after defeating his half-brother, Kubera, and looting Kubera city, Ravana was returning back to his kingdom of Lanka.

While returning on the Pushpak Vimana (which he stole), Ravana came across a mysterious mountain which he could not fly over. Perplexed, Ravana tried many times, but failed. He then noticed a bull-shaped figure and when approached, Ravana learned that the entity was Nandi and that the mountain was none other than Kailash, home to the benevolent Lord Shiva.

On account of his recent victory, Ravana was obsessed of his power and considered himself invincible. He went on to insult Nandi and his Master, Shiva. Enraged at this arrogance, Nandi cursed Ravana that his downfall would be at the hands of monkeys. Unfazed, Ravana moved on and started lifting the entire mountain on his arms. All of this happened while the Lord was meditating; as soon as the mountain started shaking, Shiva came out of his trance.

Being the Omniscient One, Shiva realized the cause of the disturbance and at once decided to crush the arrogance of Ravana. Using His smallest toe, Shiva pressed into the mountain and the entire Kailash fell on the poor king who foolishly tried to lift it.

Ravana roared with pain and his arrogance was crushed to bits. While crying in pain, advised by his ministers, Ravana sang hymns in praise of Shiva for a thousand years. Finally, Shiva not only forgave Ravana, but also granted him an invincible sword called the Chandrahasa. Since Ravana cried, he was given the name "Ravana" – one who cried. The verses that Ravana sang were collected and became known as the Shiva Tandava Stotra.

It is from this incident that Dashanana got his name as Ravana - the one who cried.

Dashratha Shani Stotram

There is a popular story in Tamil folklore, which narrate about King Dashrath, father of Bhagavan Sri Ram in Ramayana, stopping Shani from causing problems to living beings on earth. Once, King Dashrath learned from Sage Vasishta that Shani was about to move from Karthigai Star (Krittika or Karthika birth star) to Rohini birth star.

This transition was to cause devastation and havoc on earth. There will be famine, earthquakes, flood and numerous other life-threatening problems.

King Dashrath immediately boarded his chariot and arrived at Rohini Nakshatra. As he had fought for Devas (the demigods), King Dashrath had the boon to fly around the universe.

He saw Shani approaching Rohini Nakshatra in his chariot driven by a crow.

 King Dashrath forcibly stopped Shani from proceeding towards Rohini.

The king was protected by the power of Dharma and therefore the looks of Shani (Shani Drishti) had no effect on him. King Dashrath requested Shani to not to harm the people on earth.

Impressed with the courage, valor and kingly duty of Dashrath, Shani agreed to not to harm the living beings on earth.

To avoid the bad effects of his movement, Shani asked King Dashrath to take holy dip in the temple tank at Thirunaraiyur, Kumbhakonam, Tamil Nadu. There is a famous Shani Temple here (inside Shiva Temple known as Ramanathaswamy Temple). It later came to be known as Shani Parihara Sthalam. Bhagavan Sri Ram and Hanuman is believed to have prayed here.

It is believed that King Dashrath composed a Shani Stotram as a thanksgiving to Shani Bhagavan and it came to be known as Dashratha Shani Stotram.