Goddess Annapurna .... .....

[Guest guest]

GODDESS ANNAPURNA has always been a favorite deity of mine- in fact,

i have a beautiful bronze vigraha of the annapurna deity i bought

from KASHI few years ago... she adorns my altar...

 

There is a interesting story i want to share about goddess

annapurna of kashi ...

 

The meaning of the word "annapurna" literally is one who is fulll of

abundant food.

 

It is believed, if you worship annapurna devi, you

will never go hungry.

 

In this sese, Aannapurna DEVI is a true MOTHER-beacause

she "nourishes" her devotess and looks after her devotees just like a

mother looks after

her children.

 

also, Annapurna DEVI has no weapons in her hands- rather, she has a

cooking pot full of "anna" (food) and a big "spoon" or ladle in her

hands.

 

we all know we cannot live without food -so by

giving us food, in fact, moter annapurna devi is keeping

us alive- she supports us-

 

food is indeed "brahman" says the CHANDOGYA upanishads.<

 

THUS, ANNAPURNA PROVIDES US THE LIFE-GIVING "FOOD"! BUT, she also

nourishes our soul ! "BUKTI-MUKTI Pradayini! "

 

Here, i would like to share a story i read !

 

ONCE, SAGE VYASA was visiting kashi and he had a

difficult time getting alms in that city -he was so hungry

that he got angry and put a curse obn the city that

kashi will be impoverished for ever- there will be no

wealth, knowledge, liberation for generations.

but, sage vyasa did not give up... he continued to beg

for alms till he reached a house where Shiva and Parvati had taken

human form as a married couple. Parvati welcomed sage vyasa and

served him a delicious feast. once sage vyasa's hunger was satisfied,

he was immensely pleased - he removed the curse and said

" kashi is the best place to live because one can

get food and liberation at the same time."

>but lord shiva wanted to teach sage vyasa a lesson so he banished

the sage from kashi.. permitting him

to visit only on the eighth and fourteenth day of the fortnight,

which are days reserved for the worshi[ of the Goddess and Shiva. In

order tobe near at hand, Vyasa took up residence on the other side of

river Ganges,where his temple may still be seen at

Ramnagar.

 

our beloved adi shankara has composed a beautiful hymn praising the

glories of annapurna devi.

 

"anna-pUrNe, sadA-pUrNe,

shanakara-prANa-vallabhe,

jnAna-vairAgya-sidhyartham bhikShAm dehi cha,

pArvati !"

 

O Mother Annapurna, O Great Goddess, ever bestowing happiness,

granting gifts and dispelling fear, O Thou ocean of beauty who

bestowest purity (onThy devotees) washing away all

(their) sins, Thou art verify the Great Goddess who

purifiest the family of Himalayas; Presiding Deity of

Kashi, OReceptacle of Mercy! Grant me alms.

O Mother Annapurna, Thou holdest a golden ladle

adorned with various kinds of gems in Thy right hand

and a vessel full of delicious porridge inThy

left; Thou art the Great Goddess of fortune, Thou

fulfillest the desiresof Thy devotees and makest their

destiny propitious; presiding Deity of Kashi, O

Receptacle of Mercy! Grant me alms.

 

SALUTATIONS TO THE DIVINE COUPLE sree KASI VISALAKSHI AND KASHI

VISHWANATHA !

[Guest guest]

[This post was edited by the moderator to remove the quoted text]

 

dear ambaal devotees,

 

the story and the contents were taken from the following link...

 

http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/1997_8/0073.html

 

please access the url to read the complete text...

 

thanks

 

 

-- In , "adi_shakthi16" <adi_shakthi16>

wrote:

> GODDESS ANNAPURNA has always been a favorite deity of mine- in

fact,

> i have a beautiful bronze vigraha of the annapurna deity i bought

> from KASHI few years ago... she adorns my altar...

>

 

<snip>

> SALUTATIONS TO THE DIVINE COUPLE sree KASI VISALAKSHI AND KASHI

> VISHWANATHA !