How Dashaanana becomes Ravana and how Shiva Tandava Strottam was famous

Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Before Ravana, he was mostly known as "Dashaanana (means the man with 10 heads)".

Dashaanana was always wanted that Lord Shiva should stay in Lanka. So that he could always get Shiva's blessings. With this pride, once he went to Kailash. There Nandi (Shiva's vahana) stop him and knows Dashaanana's intension. Nandi request him not to do this. But Dashaanana rejects and even mocks him telling him a monkey. With this Nandi gets furious and gives curse to Dashaanana that one day a monkey will destroy his golden Lanka. Dashaanana insults hm and went ahead to lift the Kailash.

When Dashaanana was about to lift the whole Kailash, Lord Shiva pressed the ground with his toe aand the whole Kailash falls into Dashaanana's hand. Being hurt severely, Dashaanana cries so loud that even 3 worlds couldnot bear his sound. Nandi then told him that to please Shiva, he had to recite  strottam.

Dashaanana then recites strottam and pleased Lord Shiva. Shiva then appeared before him and blessed him with his famous astra "Chandrahas Kharag". Shiva also renames Dashaanana as "Ravana" for his loud cry.

Below given the full slokes of the strottam. This is also known as "Shiva Tandava Strottam"

जटाटवीगलज्जलप्रवाहपावितस्थले
गलेऽवलम्ब्य लम्बितां भुजङ्गतुङ्गमालिकाम् |
डमड्डमड्डमड्डमन्निनादवड्डमर्वयंचकार चण्डताण्डवं तनोतु नः शिवः शिवम् ||१||

जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरी
विलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि |
धगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वलल्ललाटपट्टपावके
किशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ||२||

धराधरेन्द्रनंदिनीविलासबन्धुबन्धुर
स्फुरद्दिगन्तसन्ततिप्रमोदमानमानसे |
कृपाकटाक्षधोरणीनिरुद्धदुर्धरापदि
क्वचिद्दिगम्बरे(क्वचिच्चिदम्बरे) मनो विनोदमेतु वस्तुनि ||३||

जटाभुजङ्गपिङ्गलस्फुरत्फणामणिप्रभा
कदम्बकुङ्कुमद्रवप्रलिप्तदिग्वधूमुखे |
मदान्धसिन्धुरस्फुरत्त्वगुत्तरीयमेदुरे
मनो विनोदमद्भुतं बिभर्तु भूतभर्तरि ||४||

सहस्रलोचनप्रभृत्यशेषलेखशेखर
प्रसूनधूलिधोरणी विधूसराङ्घ्रिपीठभूः |
भुजङ्गराजमालया निबद्धजाटजूटक
श्रियै चिराय जायतां चकोरबन्धुशेखरः ||५||

ललाटचत्वरज्वलद्धनञ्जयस्फुलिङ्गभा
निपीतपञ्चसायकं नमन्निलिम्पनायकम् |
सुधामयूखलेखया विराजमानशेखरं
महाकपालिसम्पदेशिरोजटालमस्तु नः ||६||

करालभालपट्टिकाधगद्धगद्धगज्ज्वल
द्धनञ्जयाहुतीकृतप्रचण्डपञ्चसायके |
धराधरेन्द्रनन्दिनीकुचाग्रचित्रपत्रक
प्रकल्पनैकशिल्पिनि त्रिलोचने रतिर्मम ||७||

नवीनमेघमण्डली निरुद्धदुर्धरस्फुरत्
कुहूनिशीथिनीतमः प्रबन्धबद्धकन्धरः |
निलिम्पनिर्झरीधरस्तनोतु कृत्तिसिन्धुरः
कलानिधानबन्धुरः श्रियं जगद्धुरंधरः ||८||

प्रफुल्लनीलपङ्कजप्रपञ्चकालिमप्रभा वलम्बिकण्ठकन्दलीरुचिप्रबद्धकन्धरम् | स्मरच्छिदं पुरच्छिदं भवच्छिदं मखच्छिदं गजच्छिदांधकच्छिदं तमन्तकच्छिदं भजे ||९|| अखर्व(अगर्व) सर्वमङ्गलाकलाकदम्बमञ्जरी रसप्रवाहमाधुरी विजृम्भणामधुव्रतम् | स्मरान्तकं पुरान्तकं भवान्तकं मखान्तकं गजान्तकान्धकान्तकं तमन्तकान्तकं भजे ||१०|| जयत्वदभ्रविभ्रमभ्रमद्भुजङ्गमश्वस द्विनिर्गमत्क्रमस्फुरत्करालभालहव्यवाट् | धिमिद्धिमिद्धिमिध्वनन्मृदङ्गतुङ्गमङ्गल ध्वनिक्रमप्रवर्तित प्रचण्डताण्डवः शिवः ||११|| दृषद्विचित्रतल्पयोर्भुजङ्गमौक्तिकस्रजोर् गरिष्ठरत्नलोष्ठयोः सुहृद्विपक्षपक्षयोः | तृणारविन्दचक्षुषोः प्रजामहीमहेन्द्रयोः समं प्रव्रितिक: कदा सदाशिवं भजाम्यहम ||१२|| कदा निलिम्पनिर्झरीनिकुञ्जकोटरे वसन् विमुक्तदुर्मतिः सदा शिरः स्थमञ्जलिं वहन् | विमुक्तलोललोचनो ललामभाललग्नकः शिवेति मंत्रमुच्चरन् कदा सुखी भवाम्यहम् ||१३|| निलिम्प नाथनागरी कदम्ब मौलमल्लिका- निगुम्फनिर्भक्षरन्म धूष्णिकामनोहरः । तनोतु नो मनोमुदं विनोदिनींमहनिशं परिश्रय परं पदं तदङ्गजत्विषां चयः ॥१४॥ प्रचण्ड वाडवानल प्रभाशुभप्रचारणी महाष्टसिद्धिकामिनी जनावहूत जल्पना । विमुक्त वाम लोचनो विवाहकालिकध्वनिः शिवेति मन्त्रभूषगो जगज्जयाय जायताम् ॥१५॥ इमं हि नित्यमेवमुक्तमुत्तमोत्तमं स्तवं पठन्स्मरन्ब्रुवन्नरो विशुद्धिमेतिसंततम् | हरे गुरौ सुभक्तिमाशु याति नान्यथा गतिं विमोहनं हि देहिनां सुशङ्करस्य चिंतनम् ||१६|| पूजावसानसमये दशवक्त्रगीतं यः शम्भुपूजनपरं पठति प्रदोषे | तस्य स्थिरां रथगजेन्द्रतुरङ्गयुक्तां लक्ष्मीं सदैव सुमुखिं प्रददाति शम्भुः ||१७||

  

Son of Hanuman - Makardhwaj

Hanuman was not married, still he had a son, named "Makardhwaj". 

When Hanuman goes to Lanka for the first time climbing a vast sea, a drop of his sweat falls in the sea. In this sea, there was a crocodile (Makara) who swallowed his sweat and give birth to a son - Makardhwaj.

He was a gatekeeper of Ahi ravan and Mahi Ravan. When Ahi and Mahi captures Rama and Laksmana, Hanuman came to rescue them from their place. There Hanuman meets his son, but does not recognize him. When Hanuman wanted to know Makardhwaj identity, he told that he was a son of mighty Hanuman. Hanuman cannot believe it. After explaining further, Hanuman recognizes his son.

Hanuman told him to make a way for him to enter the place. But, Makardhwaj did not. So there was a terrible fight between two. At last Hanuman tied his son and enter the place and rescued Rama and Lakshmana. 

After that he made Makardhwaj the king of Patal lok and blessed him.

Sita Kills Sahastra Ravan

The story of Sahastra Ravan and Sita's Bhadrakali form have been taken from the extracts of the Adbhuta Ramayana, a treatise authored by Valmiki Muni. The story goes like this:

Lord Rama returns to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshman after killing Dasanana Ravana (the one with the 10 heads). The sages and courtiers praise Rama for his valor. However, Sita realizes that Dasanana Ravana wasn’t the real Ravana. She remembers her childhood days, when a Brahmin in Mithila had talked about Ravana’s elder brother Sahasraskandha Ravana (thousand headed Ravana). He was the real Ravana who lived on a mountain named Pushkar. Sahastra Ravan was much more strong and powerful than his younger brother.

Sahastra Ravan and Lord Rama

Next, Lord Rama mobilized his army of humans, vanars and rakshasa to conquer the Sahasraskandha Ravana. The war begins between the two and the Vanaras give a good start. When Ravana sees Rama’s army getting an upper hand he too decides to participate. As soon as he joins the war, he displaces humans to Ayodhya, vanaras to Kishkinda and rakshasa to Lanka – Yes back to the place from they came.

Rama was so furious that he got himself ready to fight against Sahasraskandha Ravana. In their first encounter, Lord Rama used several celestial weapons including the Brahmastra but it had no effect on the Sahastra Ravana, he could easily deflect it. Though it agitated Lord Rama, he couldn’t do anything. He rendered Lord Rama unconscious.

The Face Off Between Sahastra Ravan and Sita

After Rama was defeated, Sita transforms into Bhadrakali. She not only decapitated Ravana’s thousand heads but destroyed his entire army. Next, all the Devas come to appease Bhadrakali after they realize that the earth will be destroyed by her temper. They try to convince her by exclaiming that only through Adyashakti’s favor and blessing the Supreme God is accessible. She immediately points to the Rama lying unconscious and mentions that since he was unconscious, she couldn’t think of the world’s welfare.

Lord Brahma then restores Rama’s consciousness. The moment Rama sees Sita in the Bhadrakali form he is frightened to see his beloved in such a state. However, Lord Brahma explains Rama that everything that he does whether it is destruction or creation, it can be accomplished only by the grace of Adyashakti. Brahma then tells Rma that Sita is actually Parmatma known as Siva (Shakti of Lord Shiva). Sita then gives Rama the power to see her in the divine state. Rama is astonished. He then recites the Kali Saharanam.

Post this, Sita comes back to her normal form and the two together head back to Ayodhya.This is the story behind Sita killing Sahastra Ravan.

How did Vishnu got Sudarshan Chakra

Once upon a time, there was a massive fight between gods and the asuras. Being loosing in the war every time, Gods went to Vishnu and request him to find a solution for this. Vishnu smiled and assured them. 

Vishnu then did a massive tapashya of God Shiva by presening 1000 lotus flowers where in each lotus he chant the name of God Shiva. But,to test the pure bhakti of God Vishnu, Shiva did a trick. Shiva stole one flower from the plate, without Vishnu's Knowledge. When Vishnu was about to complete 1000 names, he found one lotus missing. Vishnu then surprised. He was thinking what to do. Then a idea came into Vishnu's mind. He thought that every one called him "Kamalnayan- meaning lotus eyed.", so if he donate his one eye to God Shiva  then it would be same as presenting a lotus. 

He then take an arrow and going to cut his one eye. When he was about to cut, Shiva appeared before him and hold his hands and told that he was the greatest devotee of him(Shiva).

Shiva then present Vishnu a compulsive weapon, named Sudarshan Chakra.

With this weapon Vishnu defeat all the Asuras.

After that this weapon remain with Vishnu. 

Kaurava's family

The king Dhritarastra had 101 sons and 1 daughter from his two wives: Gandhari and Sughada (Gandhari's maid).

Gandhari : 100 sons and 1 daughter

Sughada : 1 son

Name of 100 sons of Gandhari and Dhritarastra:

1. Duryodhan
2. Dussaasan 
3. Dussahan 
4. Dussalan 
5. Jalagandhan 
6. Saman 
7. Sahan 
8. Vindhan 
9. Anuvindhan 
10. Durdharshan 
11. Subaahu 
12. Dushpradharshan 
13. Durmarshanan 
14. Durmukhan 
15. Dushkarnan 
16. Karnan 
17. Vikarnan 
18. Salan 
19. Sathwan 
20. Sulochanan 
21. Chithran 
22. Upachithran 
23. Chithraakshan 
24. Chaaruchithran 
25. Saraasanan 
26. Durmadan 
27. Durvigaahan 
28. Vivilsu 
29. Vikatinandan 
30. Oornanaabhan 
31. Sunaabhan 
32. Nandan 
33. Upanandan 
34. Chithrabaanan 
35. Chithravarman 
36. Suvarman 
37. Durvimochan 
38. Ayobaahu 
39. Mahabaahu 
40. Chithraamgan 
41. Chithrakundalan 
42. Bheemavegan 
43. Bheemabelan 
44. Vaalaky 
45. Belavardhanan 
46. Ugraayudhan 
47. Sushenan 
48. Kundhaadharan 
49. Mahodaran 
50. Chithraayudhan 
51. Nishamgy 
52. Paasy 
53. Vrindaarakan 
54. Dridhavarman 
55. Dridhakshathran 
56. Somakeerthy 
57. Anthudaran 
58. Dridhasandhan 
59. Jaraasandhan 
60. Sathyasandhan 
61. Sadaasuvaak 
62. Ugrasravas 
63. Ugrasenan 
64. Senaany 
65. Dushparaajan 
66. Aparaajithan 
67. Kundhasaai 
68. Visaalaakshan 
69. Duraadharan 
70. Dridhahasthan 
71. Suhasthan 
72. Vaathavegan 
73. Suvarchan 
74. Aadithyakethu 
75. Bahwaasy 
76. Naagadathan 
77. Ugrasaai 
78. Kavachy 
79. Kradhanan 
80. Kundhy 
81. Bheemavikran 
82. Dhanurdharan 
83. Veerabaahu 
84. Alolupan 
85. Abhayan 
86. Dhridhakarmaavu 
87. Dhridharathaasrayan 
88. Anaadhrushyan 
89. Kundhabhedy 
90. Viraavy 
91. Pramadhan 
92. Amapramaadhy 
93. Deerkharoman 
94. Suveeryavaan 
95. Dheerkhabaahu 
96. Sujaathan 
97. Kaanchanadhwajan 
98. Kundhaasy 
99. Virajass 
100. Yuyulssu 

Name of the only daughter of Gandhari and Dhritarastra:

Dussala

Name of the only son of Sugadha and Dhritarastra:

Yuyutsu

Sahadev --- the aware of past, present and future

Among the five pandavas, Sahadev was the one who knows past, present and future. As he ate Pandu's (father of Pandavas) brain. Pandu told five brothers that after his death, the one, who would eat his brain, would see the past, present and future. So Sahadev ate his brain in three bites - after first bite he got the full knowledge of the past, after second bite he got the full knowledge of the present and after third and last bite he got the full knowledge of the future.

That is why he knows the result of the Mahabharata war. But he could not explain it to the others as he was cursed that if he explained, he would die immidietly. 

Knowing his talent, Duryodhan came to him to know the perfect time of starting the war.

The things that came out from Samudra manthan

From Samudra manthan the following had came out : 

1. Amrit – The nectar of immortality was churned from the milk ocean in a golden pot called the Kumbha.

2. Chandra or Moon – The Moon came out as a result of the churning of the celestial oceans too.

3. Lakshmi – The Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity was also a Ratna(gem) produced from Samudra Manthan. She became Lord Vishnu’s consort.

4. Varuni – Also known as Sura, she is the Hindu Goddess of wine.

5. Parijat – A holy tree which would be kept at the paradise of Lord Indra or Indraloka.

6. Airavat – A multi-tusked elephant who became the Vahana of Lord Indra along with many other elephants who came out with him.

7. Ucchaishravas – A seven-headed flying horse who also became the demon king Bali’s vahana. He was the king of the horses.

8. Apsaras – Rambha, Menaka and many other divine nymphs also came out of the ocean.

9. Kamdhenu – The divine cow who was captured by Lord Vishnu and gifted to the sages; so that they could use her ghee for rituals and sacrifices.

10. Sankha – Vishnu’s conch shell which would be blown to signify victory and the restoration of Dharma.

11. Kalpavriksha – A tree which fulfils all wishes also came out of the ocean.

12. Jyestha – The Hindu Goddess of misfortune was also produced as a result of Samudra Manthan.

13. Sharanga – The divine bow of Lord Vishnu which would create many legendary events. It was passed on through his Avatar Parashurama to the next Avatar Rama.

14. Kaustubha – The jewel which was taken and worn by Lord Vishnu after it came out of the ocean.

Lord Krishna's wifes and sons

We all know that Krishna, the 8th avatar of God Vishnu, had 16108 wives, out of which 8 of them were his primary wives and had physical relations with them.

The name of his wives :

1. Rukmini, the avatar of Goddess Laxmi, was his main wife

2. Satyabhama
3. Jambavati
4. Kalindi
5. Mitravinda
6. Nagnajiti
7. Bhadra
8. Lakshmana.

From each wife Krishna had 10 sons. And he was a father of 80 sons.

The name of his sons along with their mother are :

1. Rukmini -  Pradyumna, Charu Deshna, Sudeshna, Charudeha, Sucharu, Charugupta, Bhadracharu, Charuchandra, Vicharu, Charu.

2. Satyabhama -  Bhanu, Subhanu,  Swabhanu, Prabhanu, Bhanumaan,  Chandrabhanu, Buhadbhanu, Atibhanu, Shribhanu, Pratibhanu.


3. Jambavati -   Samba, Sumitra, Purujit, Shatajit, Sahasrajit, Vijay, Chitraketu, Vasumaan, Dravin, Krutu

4. Kalindi -  Shrut,  Kavi, Vrush, Veer, Subahu, Bhadra, Shanti, Darsh, Purnamas, Somak

5. Mitravinda - Vruk, Harsh, Anil, Grudhra, Varddhan, Annad, Mahash, Paavan, Vanhi, Kshudhi

6. Nagnajiti - Veer, Chandra,  Ashwasen, Chitragu, Vegavaan,  Vrush, Aam, Shanku, Vasu, Kunti.

7. Bhadra - Sangramjit, Bruhatsen, Shoor, Praharan, Arijit, Jay, Subhadra, Vaam, Aayu, Satyak

8. Lakshmana -  Prabodh, Gatravaan, Simha, Bal, Prabal, Urdhvag, Mahashakti, Sah, Oja, Aparajit

Laxmana is also known as "Gudakesh"

Laxmana, was a great warrior and a loving brother of Shri Rama. He sacrificed all his life for Shri Rama and Devi Sita. When Rama was exiled for forest for 14 years, he accompanied them for full 14 years hampering his love for Urmila(Laxaman's wife). Laxmana decided that he would not sleep for full 14 years. And he did tapasya to Nidra devi(Goddess of sleep). Nidradevi gives him a boon of sleepless for 14 years on one condition. The condition is someone had to bear his sleep for 14 years. Urmila agreed to take his sleep for 14 years. That is why, he is also known as "Gudakesh".