Rahu and Ketu

Rahu and Ketu was a form or character in Hindu epic, an asura named Svarbhanu. He is depicted in art as a serpent with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses.

Svarbhanu's head and body joined with a snake to form 'Ketu', representing the body without a head, and Rahu, representing the head without a body. Svarbhanu is also the student of Shukra, an ancient Sage that counseled Asuras in vedic mythology, where he learn some tricks.

In the ancient world, immortality is not yet exist, from the day of creation, human has many of it's for and obviously divided in to a few clans or race, like our modern world. 

The deity, sage and god are highly praise due to their supernatural, peace and sacred while devas forms a moderate race which is always in conflict with the less fortunate demons, asuras and half-human form, which normally bound with jealousy, hatred and violence. 

 

The story begin about Svarbhanu can be found somewhere in The Churning of the Ocean of Milk.

Devas and Asuras were wage at war, Devas being defeated badly as Shukra, being granted a boon by Lord Shiva, to have the power to awake the death asuras back to life after being killed by devas.  

The Churning of the Ocean of Milk was planned by Lord Vishnu to save the devas, however it needs both the devas and asuras each holding a side of Vasuki, The Serpent King, wrapping on a pole made of Mount Mandara and placed on top of a giant Tortoise Kurma, ( also an avatar of Vishnu) in order to churn for the immortality nectar of Amrita.

However, once the amrita is emerged, Asuras obtained it and brought back to their state. Lord Vishnu, turn himself to appeared as Mohini, a beautiful land and tricked the asuras to invite devas to their palace as a gesture of respect and to offer the amrita to Devas, before asuras consume amrita.

Svarbahnu, recognised the trick played by Mohini and turned himself into a look-a-like devas seated between Surya (The Sun's God) and Chandra (The Moon's God). When Surya passed the amrita Svarbhanu (The fake Deva), Chandra realised and report to Mohini. Mohini then appeared as her real form as Lord Vishnu and managed to deceptively stop and decapitated him. The head now known as Rahu, while the body part is known as Ketu. As a form of revenge, Rahu often swallowed the Moon and the Sun, it is believes that the eclipses is the phenomenon that we see today. As Rahu is without a body, each time he swallow moon or sun, it will exit in a very short while from the neck.

This is an epic story from Hindu Mythology, as of modern term is the eclipse.

So next time when you visit temple in Angkor Archaeological Park, you will see the depicted if you learn more about Hinduism especially the characters. Rahu can be seen at Banteay Srei. Here's how Rahu looks like. Familiar to you?

Hanuman is a revered heroic figure in Khmer history

Hanuman is a revered heroic figure in Khmer history in southeast Asia. He features predominantly in the Reamker, a Cambodian epic poem, based on the Sanskrit's Ramayana epic.Intricate carvings on the walls of Angkor Wat depict scenes from the Ramayana including those of Hanuman. 

In Cambodia and many other parts of southeast Asia, mask dance and shadow theatre arts celebrate Hanuman with Ream (same as Rama of India). Hanuman is represented by a white mask. 

Hanuman also known as Pawan Putra, the son of the Lord of Winds. He symbolizes the human excellences of inner self-control, faith and service to a cause, hidden behind the first impressions of a being who looks like a monkey. 

In Ramayana, Hanuman was devoted to lord Rama.The Sundara Kanda, the fifth book in the Ramayana, focuses on Hanuman.

While in Mahabharata, he is the son of Kesari & Anjana, in other text available mention that Hanuman has a spiritual father, the god of winds - Vaju, along with many names like Maruti, Pawan Suta, Bajrangbali, Mangalmurti but these names are rarely used. Hanuman is the common name of the monkey god.

Thai Ramakien, mention that Hanuman had relationships with multiple women, including Svayamprabha, Benjakaya (Vibhisana's daughter), Suvannamaccha and even Ravana's wife Mandodari.

https://youtu.be/ZudiHGExn-s

Diwali Festival - The Day Celebrates with Sweets and Lights

This year, Diwali Festival is on 19 October, 2017. 

Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere (spring in southern hemisphere).

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs and Newar Buddhists to mark different historical events and stories, eventually all symbolise the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, hope over despair.

The mythical stories told for Diwali vary regionally and within the traditions of Hinduism.Yet, they all point to joy and the celebration of Diwali with lights to be a reminder of the importance of knowledge, self inquiry, self-improvement, knowing and seeking the good and the right path. It is a metaphor for resisting evil, for dispelling darkness and for compassion to others. 

Diwali is the celebration of this inner light over spiritual darkness, of knowledge over ignorance and right over wrong. It is a festive restatement of the Hindu belief that the good ultimately triumphs over evil.The name of festive days as well as the rituals of Diwali vary among Hindus by region of India. In many parts of India, the festivities start with 

• 1st Day  - Dhanteras (in Northern and Western part of India), 
• 2nd Day - Naraka Chaturdasi 
• 3rd Day - Deepavali,  
• 4th Day - Diwali Padva dedicated to husband & wife relationship
• 5th Day - Bhai Dooj dedicated to sister–brother bond on the fifth day. 
• 8th Day - Dhanteras usually falls on the 8th day after Dussehra.

One of my favorite legendary story is about Krishna & Satyabhama

In Hindu traditions, Krishna is considered the 8th avatar of Vishnu. Krishna marries the Ashtabharyas or the 8 principle queens:

• Rukmini 
• Satyabhama 
• Jambavati
• Kalindi 
• Mitravinda 
• Nagnajiti 
• Bhadra
• Lakshmana

Satyabhama is the second most important wife of the God Krishna. As the second wife of Krishna, Satyabhama is believed to be an avatar of Lakshmi, the Goddess of power. She aided Krishna defeat the demon Narakasura.

Narakasura was a Danava tyrant, who captured and governed the city of Pragjothishya, the present day of Assam. He gained a boon from Brahma that he would die only in the hands of his mother. Armed with the boon, he ruled like a despot. Narakasura was infamous for his wicked ruling and high disregard for demigods and women. His mother was the earth goddess, Bhoomi Devi, also had obtained a boon from Vishnu that her Son should die only when she wishes for. Addicted to power, he defeated Lord Indra and abducted 16,000 women and imprisoned them in his palace. He stole the earrings of Aditi, the heavenly mother goddess and usurped some of her territory. Upon this the king of the gods Indra requested Sri Krishna to conquer and kill the demon and free Devlok from his atrocities. On his request Krishna sieged the city of Narakasura with the assistance of his mount, Garuda along with his beloved wife Satyabhama.

A terrible battle ensued between Krishna and Narakasura. The demon on several occasions proved a match for Krishna and nullified several of the missiles which Krishna hurled at him. On one instance, the demon hurled a shakti towards Krishna, which hurt Krishna mildly and fell, pretending unconsciously by the arms of Garuda. This enraged Sathyabhama who in turn shot arrows at Narakasura and killed him finally. Narakasura, on his last breath murmuring "Krishna, forgive me .. I have ill-treated women, and harassed children, I want the whole world to celebrate my day of death with sweets and lights, and Mother, please forgive me, bless me that I shall not be reborn again."

Krishna saids " This day will called Deepavali, The festival of Lights."
Satyabhama added " Your wish will be fulfilled."   

Satyabhama is the incarnation of Bhoomi Devi, as when Krishna avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Therefore the boon granted to Bhoomi Devi was fulfilled. Thereafter, Krishna obtained the stolen ear-rings of the mother of the gods, Aditi. Aditi was pleased by Satyabhama's dedication towards her husband and gave her a boon of staying young and beautiful forever. This great day is celebrated as Narak-Chaturdashi which falls in the festival of Diwali (the second important day of Diwali).

Lord Krishna's victory on Narakasura translated into freedom for all his prisoners and honouring of Aditi. He also marries about 16,000 women known as his junior queens, or non-principal wives as he accepted them upon their insistence to save their dignity and honor because society who saw them as slaves of the demon king Narakasura. The chief wife among these junior wives is Rohini.

His lover, who he is most commonly seen with in images and idols is Radha. Radha and of his wives are considered in the Hindu tradition to be the avatars of the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Gopis are considered as Radha's many forms and manifestations.

In the lights of celebration, I'm sharing this thought to all our family, relatives and friends, Happy Deepavali Festival (that's how we say it in Malaysia.) Although I'm born Chinese Malaysian, my bonding with Indian friends was since our childhood, we lived together in a multi racial community with Malay and Indian, my neighbours are Indian.Because I had travel to many places and adopted multi culture, and most of the time iI spend in South Asia, where Theravada Buddhism and Hinduism co-exist centuries ago, my love on history is getting deeper each and every day, while reading and tracing values in religious like Hinduism, Buddhism etc.. I learnt that all of us, stands a unique human being, there is no barrier in religion, by the name of its Creator.

I found a short video clips, hope you like it too.

Le Ballet Royal du Cambodge in Hong Kong