Penance of sage Gautama

(Ref: Brahma Purana - Gautami Mahatmya - 4 to 6)

Rishi Gautama

• Introduction: When Lord Shiva was holding Ganga as His beloved on His matted hair, Devi Uma wanted the Lord to forsake Ganga. Vinayaka helped Her for the welfare of the entire world to bring Ganga to earth. By a trick and with a fake cow as an instrument, Vinayaka made sage Gautama perform penance to bring Ganga down to Earth. Sage Gautama came to know this through his yogic vision but was happy to perform this task for the welfare of the world.

• Eulogizing Shiva: Sage Gautama went to mount Kailasha and eulogized the various forms of Lord Shiva through hymns.

- Sage Gautama eulogized the Lord Who assumes eight cosmic bodies accompanied by Uma.
- Sage Gautama eulogized the Lord Who assumes the body of the Earth.
- Sage Gautama eulogized the Lord Who assumes the form of Waters.
- Sage Gautama eulogized the Lord Who assumes the form of Sun, Moon and Fire.
- Sage Gautama eulogized the Lord Who assumes the form of Vayu.
- Sage Gautama eulogized the Lord with ethereal body which assumes the form of Word.
- Sage Gautama eulogized the Lord Who assumes the form of Sacrifice.

• Granting Boon: As sage Gautama eulogized the Lord, Lord Shiva appeared accompanied by Devi Uma, Ganesha and retinue. He gave the boon of river Ganga to sage Gautama. Sage Gautama lead the Ganga to the Brahmagiri Hills surrounded by the devas.

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

1. Stotras
2. Scriptures
3. Pilgrimages
4. Festivals
5. Saints: Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana
6. Sadhana
7. Sanskrit
8. Nature

Meditation on Earth and Life: >>

Om, May there be Peace in Heaven,
May there be Peace in the Sky,
May there be Peace in the Earth,

(Shanti Mantra of Upanishad)

Preserve Nature,
And Nature will preserve Us,
Simplify Life,
And help Nature thrive,
Plant Trees,
And make our planet Green.

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