1)Shri Ganesha
Every Adhyay starts with praying to shri Ganesh . Shri Ganesh is son of Load Shiva & Parvati.In 1st adhyay 'Ganesh Vandan '.In 6 Addhya there story of Shree Ganesh founded here the original Linga-image of Shiva.
2)Goddess Saraswati
Every Adhyay also start with praying to Devi Sarswati after praying to shri Ganesha . Goddess Sarsawati is one of form Durga . She possesses the powers of speech, wisdom and learning.
3)Vageshwari(Brahmkumari)
आता वंदू ब्रह्मकुमारी । जिचे नाम वागीश्वरी । पुस्तक वीना जिचे करी । हंसवाहिनी असे देखा ॥१७॥
The nine forms of Durga as per the Kalpokta Navadurga Pujavidhi are Moola Durga, Arya Durga, Shulini Durga (also referred to as Bhagavati), Kumari Durga, Ambika Durga, Vana Durga, Maha Chandika Durga, Saraswati and Vagvadini(Vageshwari).In 1st Adhyay Saraswati Gangadhar Prays to Vageshwari(Brahmkumari) in 17th shlok
आपस्तंबशाखेसी । गोत्र कौंडिण्य महाऋषि । साखरे नाम ख्यातिशी । सायंदेवापासाव ॥४१॥
त्यापासूनि नागनाथ । देवराव तयाचा सुत । सदा श्रीसद्गुरुचरण ध्यात ॥ गंगाधर जनक माझा ॥४२॥
4)Nagnath Sayandeo Sakhare
Great great Grandfather of Sarswati Gangadhar.Sarswathi Gangadhar mantioned in 1st adhyay in 42 shlok.
5) Deorao Nagnath Sakhare
Grandfather of Sarswati Gangadhar.Sarswathi Gangadhar mantioned in 1st adhyay in 42 shlok.
6)Gangadhar Deorao Sakhare
Father of Sarswati Gangadhar.Sarswathi Gangadhar mantioned in 1st adhyay in 42 shlok.
काश्यपाचे गोत्री । चौंडेश्वरी नामधारी । वागे जैसा जन्हु अवधारी । अथवा जनक गंगेचा ॥४४॥
त्याची कन्या माझी जननी । निश्चये जैशी भवानी । चंपा नामे पुण्यखाणी । स्वामिणी माझी परियेसा ॥४५॥
7) Choudinneshwari
May be Name of Saraswati Gangadhars mothers Father name. 1st Adhyay 44 th shlok.
8) Chapa Gangadhar Sakhare
Name of Saraswathi Ganagadhars mothers name (1st Adhyay 45 shlok)
9) Namdharak
Namdhark means who is listening gurucharitra to siddha..In 2nd Addhyay He saw dream e awoke and began to proceed further on his path. While going he was all the time thinking over the dream, he had seen in the previous night. He now observed that similar personality, alike that seen by him in the dream, was coming from the front(Siddha muni came). He prostrated himself humility before him and said, "You are my mother and father. Kindly favour me, an orphan child. Kindly tell me your name and place of residence."
10)Bramha
Bramha is create of wold told in 2nd adhyay. Shri Vishnu gave him four Vedas and also told him to create this world according to the process given in the Vedas. Brahma then created this World, which has several animate and inanimate things such as:-
1) Swedaj : those born of perspiration as bugs etc.
2) Andaj : those coming out of eggs as birds,
3) Jaraj : those begetting from placenta i.e., womb as human beings and
4) Udbhij : i.e. coming out of earth i.e. plants, creepers,trees etc.
Similarly Brahma created three Lokas (Worlds.). This process of creation has been stated in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana in the following manner :-
Brahma called every Yug one after the other and asked him to go on Earth. first came Krith Yug, who did not speak a lie was learned and devoid of family attachments, had sacred thread and necklace of Rudraksha beads around the neck. He said, "The people of Earth speak a lie, and are sinful. How can I go and stay their? Brahma said, "Stay there for some time. I shall be sending another Yug to follow you". Then came Treta Yug. Fat in body possessed articles of sacrifice in his hands. In this Yug people performed sacrifices and abode by the rules of religions and rituals and most of them were Brahmins. After the Treta Yug, Dwapaur Yug is approached Brahma. He had arrows and other weapons in his hands. He was both kind and wicked. Virtue and sin were both visible in him.
Lastly Kali Yug was called for ghost like appearance, thoughtless heart, old age, struggling and despising mentality were his characteristics. He came before Brahma and began dancing and uttering childish words. At one moment he laughed, at another he welted and then abuse anybody. Seeing him in such strange mood, Brahma asked, "Why are you naked and abusing so filthily?"
Kali replied, "I shall win over people by these two means. I am not afraid of anybody."
Brahma smiled and told me to go the Earth and show the influence of his evil intentions.
Kali said, "I selfish, destroyer of Dhrama, I like quarrel, despising and I long for the wealth and wives of others. I am a friend to those whopretend to be a saint and I am an enemy of all the virtuous."
Brahma told him, "In Kali Yug the span of life of the human beings would be only hundred years. In the former Yugas, as the life span was too long people followed the path of penance and devotion in order to attain supreme knowledge. In Kali Yug, a man can attain salvation, the observing penance and devotion for less time. You should help such virtuous persons."
Kali said,"Such virtuous men are my enemies. I am afraid of such persons. How should I then go to the Earth?" Brahma said , "Take Kal and Atma with you. They will destroy the religious mindedness and even
induce virtuous persons to commit sins."
Kali said, "They are enemies, who abide by the religion and are devotees of Vishnu and Siva, who listen to puranas, give charities and who have peaceful hearts. But on the contrary, I love those who love their wives and children, dishonor their parents who despise Vedas and Sastras, who
Brahma said 'Alphabet (gu)means Siddha and (R) and (U) imply Shri Ganesh who is Guru. Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, parents are all Gurus of this Earth. Knowledge imbibed with devotion and rational thinking (vivek) is seen in the heart of the Guru. Study of Dhrama and Shastras without Guru is futile. He directs in action, thought, devotion and disintegration. One cannot surpass wordly miseries without the help and guidance of Guru. He throws a flash light on the dark illusionary path. Service to the Guru makes one pure in body, speech and thinking.Bramha gives example of Veda Dharma & his discipline Sandeepak..In 2nd Adhyay
11) Veda dharma & 12)Sandeepak
Story Of Veda Dharma & Sandeepak (Gurucharitra 2 nd Adhyay )
Sandeepak is discipline of Veda dharma. One Day veda dharma said to all his discipline"I have committed sins in my previous births. The effect of many of them has been wiped off by my penance, but still some of them are persisting. I will not get salvation unless I suffer the evil effects of these sins with my body. I, therefore, wish to go to Kashi, stay there and get rid of these sins. You have to attend on me and serve me during this period. One who is strong enough should undertake this hard task".
Sandeepak accepted this bid. Sandeepak & Veda dharama lived there at Kambaleshwar to the North of Mankarnika..Veda dharama took a bath in Mankarnika and worshiped Vishweshwar As the time passed on, leprosy developed all over his body and he became blind losing his eyesight. His body was petrified and pus, blood and germs flowed out of it. He began to have fits also. Still Sandeepak took all pains to nurse his Guru with great devotion. He used to bring alms daily for his Guru, fed him and served him, thinking him to be Kashi Vishweshwar.
Veda Dharma being in a diseased condition, became peevish by nature and often was enraged and spoke harsh words to his disciple, Sandeepak. Some day he would not take food, some day he would abuse him cruelly for bringing insufficient for undelicious alms. Some day he would throw away the food in anger and despair. Sometimes he would even beat him severely. Another time he would complain that he did not clean his body, wounds, clothes smeared with stool and urine and consequently he was much troubled by flies. When Sandeepak was attending on him, he would say why did he not go out for alms. In this way Sandeepak was harassedevery now and then.
Yet sandeepak tried his best to bring good delicious food and vegetables as directed by his Guru. Though he was living in Kashi, he never went to the Vishwehwar temple to worship and see the most holy shrine of Vishweshwar. Similarly he did not think of any other thing but he solely devoted himself to the nursing and giving best service to his Guru, whom he respected as God Shiv, Vishnu and Brahma. Though the Guru got enraged off and on, he did not retort harshly.
Seeing his such devoted service to his Guru, Kashi Vishweshwar was so pleased that he appeared before him and told him to ask for some favour or blessing. Sandeepak replied, "Without the approval of my Guru, I cannot ask for your blessings". He then came to his guru and said "Kashi Vishweshar is pleased to offer me some blessing. If you permit me, I shall pray him to remove your physical pangs and give you sound health."
Hearing this, Veda Dharma was enraged. He said to Sundapeek "Donot pray Vishweshwar for my health. If I donot suffer these pangs, I will have to suffer in the next birth and this would abstract my path of salvation."
Sandeepak returned to Kashi Vishweshwar, and told him, " My Guru doesnot like me to accept any blessings from you. " Being amazed Kashi Vishweshwar went to Shri Vishnu and reported this wonderful incident to him.
Hearing this, Shri Vishnu and Shri Kashi Vishweshwar desired to see this disciple and his Guru and so they both came to Kashi and approached Sandeepak. Shri Vishnu said, "Oh Sandeepak, I am pleased with your devotion to your Guru. You may ask for what ever you desire. I shall
fulfill your wishes."
Sandeepak said, "Oh Narayan, even after undertaking penance in dense forest for infinite period, you disappoint your devotees. But when neither did I worship you, nor recite your name, why should you be pleased with me and ask me to have a boon from you?"
Shri Vishnu said, "Whatever devoted service you have rendered to your Guru, has been received by me. I love such disciples very much. I am under his influence and I willingly offer him my blessings. I like wife's
devotion to her husband, bowing to Brahmins. Ascetics and Sanyasis, and such persons come to my place in the end."
Sandeepak said, "Oh Mahavishnu, I have full faith that I shall attain all knowledge of Vedas and Shastras from my Guru. As Guru is my God,Trimurties (Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh) are within my reach, whatever
blessings you give me, I shall be getting the same easily from my Guru. I am, therefore, serving my Guru devotedly."
On this Shri Vishnu said pleasingly, "Sandeepak, you are the best amongst all the disciples. You are my loving child. Shri Shiva and myself are pleased with your devotion. Ask for a boon."
Sandeepak said, "If you are so keen to favour me with your blessings,kindly give me such guidance as would enable me to serve my Guru with still more devotion."
Shri Vishnu said, "Amen! We offer you what you desire. You have known Guru and also experienced Par-Brahma in yourself. The word Guru contains only two alphabets, still it is the ocean of nectar. One, who dips into it even for a moment, will cross this wordly ocean. One who always
remembers Guru is respected in all Lokas."
When Sandeepak went to his Guru, the Guru asked him, "What did Mahavishnu give you?"
Sandeepak replied,"I asked him to guide me to serve my guru with more devotion and he was pleased to give me this blessing. I wish I should serve you well and incessantly".
Hearing this Veda Dharma too was extremely pleased. He said,"You are the best of all the disciples. You should stay in Kashi. What ever you say will be true. You will receive the wealth of Kuber(God of Wealth), the miseries of those who remember you will come to an end".
13& 14)Ambarish & Durvas Ruchi (3rd Adhyay)
In former times there lived a King by name Ambarish. He observed Ekadahsi fast(11th day of every fortnight dark and bright). He induced Shri Vishnu to come to Earth.
"In order to test Ambarish's Ekadashi Vrat, Durwas Rishi came to him as a guest. That day Sadhan Dwadashi was only for 24 minutes after Sunrise. Ambarish received the Rishi warmly, worshiped him and requested him to return soon for dinner finishing his morning bath and rituals.
"Durvas went to the river, took bath and started rituals. Seeing that the time for Dwadashi (12th day of fortnight) was finishing and fearing the break of his Vrat, Ambarish took holy water and dines. In the meanwhile Durvas returned and seeing that Ambarish had dined before him, he was enraged and so he cursed Ambarish.
"Ambarish prayed Shri Vishnu, Protector of devotees. Shri Vishnu came from Vaikunth, his abode. Ambarish told Shri Vishnu that Durvas had for no reason cursed him to take birth in different species. Shri Vishnu told Durvas that he had cursed Ambarish in vain and that he should curse him (Vishnu) instead of Ambarish.
Durvas thought that people on Earth cannot see Shri Vishnu, so it would be better to ask Shri Vishnu to descend on Earth with Shri Lakshmi for the salvation of the people. So he said to Shri Vishnu, 'You should descend on the Earth ten times'.
अध्याय पाचवा
ऐक भक्ता नामधारका । अंबरीषाकारणे विष्णु देखा । अंगकारिले अवतार ऐका । मानुषी नाना रूप घेतसे ॥२॥
मत्स्य कूर्म वराह देख । नराचा देह सिंहाचे मुख । वामनरूप झाला भिक्षुक । झाला ब्राह्मण क्षेत्रकर्मी ॥३॥
दशरथाचे कुळी जन्म । प्रख्यात अवतार श्रीराम । राजा होऊनि मागुती जन्म । गौळियाघरी गुरे राखी ॥४॥
वस्त्रे फेडूनि झाला नग्न । बौद्धरूपी झाला आपण । होऊनि कलंकी अवतार जाण । तुरुंगारूढ काय आवडी ॥५॥
नाना प्रकार नाना वेष । अवतार धरी ह्रषीकेश । तारावया भक्तजनास । दुष्टहनन करावया ॥६॥
Shri Siddha - "Namdharak, Shri Vishnu had several incarnations as Matsya (Fish), Kachha (Tortoise), Varah (Bear), Narasimha (Man with lion's head), Waman(Brahman), Parashram, Shri Rama(king), Krishna, Buddha and Kalanki to protect the Sadhus and punish the wicked.
15)BramhPutra (ब्रह्मपुत्र) (Addyay 4)
सृष्टि रचावयासी । सप्त पुत्र उपजवी मानसी । नामे सांगेन परियेसी । सात जण ब्रह्मपुत्र ॥९॥
मरीचि अत्रि आंगिरस । पुलस्त्य पुलह क्रतु वसिष्ठ । सप्त पुत्र जाहले श्रेष्ठ । सृष्टिकर्ता ब्रह्मा जाण ॥१०॥ (Adhyay 4)
Brahma created seven sons (manas putras) namely - 1.Marichi, 2.Atri, 3.Angiras, 4 Pulasti, 5. Pulaha, 6. Kratu and 7. Vashishtha. Dattareya took birth in the house of Atri..
16)Atri Rishi & 17) Anusuya (Addyay 4)
The senior most amongst Brahm Putras was the Atri Rishi. His wife Mahasati Anasuya was the daughter of the highly devoted and pious couple, Kardam Rishi and Devahuti. Atri Rishi & his wife Anasuya desired for a son, who would be an incarnation of Nirguna Parabrahma [the Infinite Supreme]. Atri Rishi performed tapasya [penance] standing on one leg for 100 years on the Ruksha mountain abjuring food and water. Pleased with his tapasya [penance], the Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh appeared before him to grant him a boon.
On hearing Atri Rishi's desire, the Gods explained that since the Nirguna Parabrahma cannot be seen, they, as manifestation of the Nirguna [infinite / attributeless] have appeared. They blessed him saying that his wish would be fulfilled.
17)Dattatreya (Addyay 4)
The typical form in which the Lord Dattatreya appears is that of an ascetic with 3 heads & 6 arms (symbolizing the unification of the three Gods). His whole body is covered with Vibhuti (holy ash). He has an aura of a rising Sun around him and has lustrous Jatta (long hair) tied in a knot over his head. He is dressed in a deer skin and is a radiant and assuring figure for the devotees. His arms are seen to be holding various objects each of which has a spiritual connotation. Thus, he is seen with a Mala (rosary), Kamandalu (holy pot), Damaru (holy musical instrument), Trishul (trident), Shankh (conch) and Chakra (a holy weapon). A cow behind him represents the mother earth and four dogs at his feet, the four Vedas (the Holiest Hindu scriptures). Lord Dattatreya 'the ascetic', is known to have disciples through the Yugas [cycle of creation], well known among them are Lord Parashuram, Sahasraarjun, Prahlad, Ayu Raja, Yadu, Alarka, Samvarta etc.Lord Dattatreya 'the ascetic' helps the devotees in times of calamity and also leads them to Moksha (freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth) and hence is worshiped widely by the masses.
18)Apalraja & 19)Sumatha (Addyay 5)
They lived at Peethapur in the East.They were parents of Shreepad Vallabh. Birth of Shreepad Vallabh Story mentioned in 5th Addyay.
On one Amavasya day there was an anniversary day at the house of Apalraj. On that day Shri Datta came in disguise to his house for alms.Shri Datta asked, "Mother what do you desire?".
She said, " You are a treasure of kindness and protector of the devotees. You are well-Known in all the 14 Bhuwans. You just called me `mother'. I begot children, but some of them died soon and of those that are surviving, one is blind and one is lame. I therefore feel my life to be futile without a good son. I wish I should have a son who would be world famous and learned like yourself. Will you fulfill this desire of mine?".
Shri Datta said, "You will have a son wellknown in Kaliyug. You abide by his wishes. He will be learned. He will fulfill all your desires". Saying this Shri Datta disappeared.
20)Ravan & 21Kaikaya
Kaikaya was mother of Ravana .She was wife of Pulasti Manasaputra of Brahma.she was a great devotee of Shiva.She worshiped a new Shiva Linga every day. One day she could not get a new Shiva Linga. Fearing that her `Vrat' would be futile, she prepared an earthen Linga and began to worship it with devotion. Seeing this, Ravan asked her what she was doing. she said that she was worshiping a Shiva-Linga.
Ravan said, "You being my mother, it is a great misfortune that you should earthen Shiva Ling. Well what do you intend to achieve by this worship.?"
Mother replied that thereby she will get a place in Kailas, abode of Shiva after death. Thereupon Ravan said, `why do you take so much troubles? I shall bring Kailas itself to you'. Saying this, he went to Kailas and began to shake it violently with his 20 hands. He tried to lift it up. Due to this action of his, 7 Patals were shaken, Shesh moved his hood, the tortoise began to tremble with fear.Shri Shiva, who is very simple and kind, was pleased by his prayer.He gave to Ravan Atma-Linga which fulfill all her desires instantly who worships this for 3 years, becomes Ishwar himself.& also said do not place this on the ground till you reach
Lanka.
On the way Shree Ganesh meet him. Ravan gave Linga in Ganesh hand.while Ravan was doing meditation Shree Ganesh put linga on place.Ravan returned and seeing that the Linga was placed on the
ground.Ravan tried his best with all his might to lift up the Linga. The earth trembled but the Linga could not be shaken a bit. As Ravan tried to lift it up by screwing, it took the shape of an ear of the cow and so it is known as "Gokarna" and as Ravan excercised all his might to lift it up it is called "Mahabaleshwar".
22) King Maitreya
While describing important of Gokrana Siddha said story of King Maitreya . he was born in Ikshwaku family.
23)
