Annapurna Devi
Annapurna Devi
Shiva and Parvati often played Dice in their conjugal abode on Mount Kailasa . Once to make the game more exciting and interesting, Shiva asked Parvati to bet her Jewels and he betted his trident. If he won, he would get Parvati's jewels. If Parvati won, she would get Shiva's trident. But Parvati won the game and Shiva lost his trident to her. Not to give up so easily, Shiva now betted his serpent in the next game. That also he lost to Parvati.
Then in a bid to win the consequent games that followed, he kept wagering all his possessions - his skull bowl, his rudraksha beads, his ash, his drum, his smoking pipe and even his loin cloth - he lost them all to Parvati in the Game of Dice.
Humiliated by his defeat, Shiva went off in seclusion to the Deodar Forest . Seeing his plight, Lord Vishnu offered to help and asked him to play again with Parvati assuring him that this time he would definitely win all the games of Dice, thus regaining back his possessions from Parvati.
So Shiva went back to Parvati and enticed her for another round of games. He won all of them but Parvati felt suspicious of Shiva's sudden success, calling him a Cheat. Shiva outraged by the accusation, demanded an apology. It led to heated debates and hurling of insults and abuses between the couple.
Seeing their Commotion, Vishnu came to pacify them. He revealed to Parvati the secret of Shiva's victories. He said that his spirit had entered the dice and that the dice didn't work according to their moves but as per his wish. So neither Shiva had really won nor had Parvati actually lost. The game was an illusion and their quarrel was a product of their delusion.
On hearing Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati realised that life was like their game of dice - very unpredictable and beyond control.
Shiva told Parvati that the world is an illusion. Nature is an illusion. Matter is just a mirage, here one moment, gone the next. Even Food is just Maya.
Parvati, mother of all material things including food, lost her temper. "If I am just an illusion, let's see how you and the rest of the world get along without me," she said and disappeared from the world.
Her disappearance caused havoc in the cosmos. Time stood still, seasons did not change, the earth became barren and there was a terrible drought. There was no food to be found in the three worlds of Akaash, Pataal and Dharti. Gods, demons and humans kept suffering from the pangs of hunger. "Salvation makes no sense to an empty stomach", cried the sages.
Seeing all the suffering, Parvati's heart melted and she appeared at Kashi and set up a Kitchen. Hearing about her return, Shiva ran to her with all other hungry mendicants and presented his bowl in alms saying, "Now I realise that the material world, like the spirit, cannot be dismissed as an illusion."
Parvati smiled and fed Shiva with her own hands.
Since then Parvati is worshipped as Annapoorna Devi - the Goddess of Food.
The image of Parvati serving food to her hermit-husband, Shiva adorns one of the temples at Kashi, Varanasi (U.P. India) where devotees offer prayers.
It is said that she does not eat a morsel unless all her devotees have been fed the Bhog-Prashad in her temple.
The idol of Annapoorna always has a small vessel / ladle containing Annam (food) signifying that the worshipper is assured of food throughout his / her life time.
There is another temple dedicated to Annapoorna Devi at Cherukunnam in Kerala. Every devotee who worships at that temple is served food. The tradition is that in the night, after every one is fed, a packet of food is left tied to the branch of a tree, the idea being that even the thief who prowls about in the night should not go without food.
She is also worshipped in Unja ( Gujarat ) where she is known as Umiya Maata.
Annapoorna symbolises the divinity of nourishing care. When food is cooked with a spirit of holiness, it becomes alchemy. Images of Annapoorna Devi are also adorned in kitchens, dining areas and restaurants of India .
The Annapoorneshwari Temple is located at Horanadu, 100 km from Chikmagalur, amidst the thick forests and valleys of the Western Ghats of Karnataka. All who visit this temple are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner and a place to sleep on the temple premises.
The sanctity of Goddess Annapoorna is elucidated by Adi Shankaracharya in this soulful verse:Annapoorne sadaa poorne Shankarah Praanavallabhe |
Gnana Vairagya Siddhyartham Bhikshaan Dehi cha Parvati ||Mother Annapoorna,
You who are Eternally Complete, You,
The very life of Lord Shiva,
Give me food (in alms)
So I can sustain my body
To achieve the Supreme Knowledge.
Annapurna Devi
Annapurna or Annapoorna is the Hindu Goddess of nourishment. Anna means food and grains. Purna means full, complete and perfect. Annapurna is the respected Supreme Goddess who is full, complete and perfect in food and grains. She is the symbol for the One who grants nourishment on every level.
She is called the Supreme Goddess of the city of Kasi (now known as Varanasi, U.P., India ). Kasi is the City of Light . Ka means the cause, a means the manifestation of consciousness, sa means peace and I is the causal body. Kasi is also the place which causes consciousness to manifest the highest peace of the causal body. And She is the Supreme Goddess of the City of Kasi .
Annapurna Devi
Annapurna Devi
Humiliated by his defeat, Shiva went off in seclusion to the Deodar Forest . Seeing his plight, Lord Vishnu offered to help and asked him to play again with Parvati assuring him that this time he would definitely win all the games of Dice, thus regaining back his possessions from Parvati.
So Shiva went back to Parvati and enticed her for another round of games. He won all of them but Parvati felt suspicious of Shiva's sudden success, calling him a Cheat. Shiva outraged by the accusation, demanded an apology. It led to heated debates and hurling of insults and abuses between the couple.
Seeing their Commotion, Vishnu came to pacify them. He revealed to Parvati the secret of Shiva's victories. He said that his spirit had entered the dice and that the dice didn't work according to their moves but as per his wish. So neither Shiva had really won nor had Parvati actually lost. The game was an illusion and their quarrel was a product of their delusion.
On hearing Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati realised that life was like their game of dice - very unpredictable and beyond control.
Shiva told Parvati that the world is an illusion. Nature is an illusion. Matter is just a mirage, here one moment, gone the next. Even Food is just Maya.
Parvati, mother of all material things including food, lost her temper. "If I am just an illusion, let's see how you and the rest of the world get along without me," she said and disappeared from the world.
Her disappearance caused havoc in the cosmos. Time stood still, seasons did not change, the earth became barren and there was a terrible drought. There was no food to be found in the three worlds of Akaash, Pataal and Dharti. Gods, demons and humans kept suffering from the pangs of hunger. "Salvation makes no sense to an empty stomach", cried the sages.
Seeing all the suffering, Parvati's heart melted and she appeared at Kashi and set up a Kitchen. Hearing about her return, Shiva ran to her with all other hungry mendicants and presented his bowl in alms saying, "Now I realise that the material world, like the spirit, cannot be dismissed as an illusion."
Parvati smiled and fed Shiva with her own hands.
Since then Parvati is worshipped as Annapoorna Devi - the Goddess of Food.
The image of Parvati serving food to her hermit-husband, Shiva adorns one of the temples at Kashi, Varanasi (U.P. India) where devotees offer prayers.
It is said that she does not eat a morsel unless all her devotees have been fed the Bhog-Prashad in her temple.
The idol of Annapoorna always has a small vessel / ladle containing Annam (food) signifying that the worshipper is assured of food throughout his / her life time.
There is another temple dedicated to Annapoorna Devi at Cherukunnam in Kerala. Every devotee who worships at that temple is served food. The tradition is that in the night, after every one is fed, a packet of food is left tied to the branch of a tree, the idea being that even the thief who prowls about in the night should not go without food.
She is also worshipped in Unja ( Gujarat ) where she is known as Umiya Maata.
Annapoorna symbolises the divinity of nourishing care. When food is cooked with a spirit of holiness, it becomes alchemy. Images of Annapoorna Devi are also adorned in kitchens, dining areas and restaurants of India .
The Annapoorneshwari Temple is located at Horanadu, 100 km from Chikmagalur, amidst the thick forests and valleys of the Western Ghats of Karnataka. All who visit this temple are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner and a place to sleep on the temple premises.
Gnana Vairagya Siddhyartham Bhikshaan Dehi cha Parvati ||
You who are Eternally Complete, You,
The very life of Lord Shiva,
Give me food (in alms)
So I can sustain my body
To achieve the Supreme Knowledge.
She is the consort of Shiva
Evolution and Legends
Once Shiva told his consort Parvati that the world is an illusion and that even food is just part of this illusion (Maya).
The Divine Mother who is worshipped as the manifestation of all material things, including food, became angry. To demonstrate the importance of her manifestation of all that is material she disappeared from the world.
Her disappearance brought time to a standstill and the earth became barren. There was no food to be found anywhere and all the beings suffered from the pangs of hunger.
Seeing all the suffering, Mother Parvati was filled with compassion and reappeared in Kasi and set up a Kitchen.
Hearing about her return, Shiva ran to her and presented his bowl in alms saying, "Now I realise that the material world, like the spirit, cannot be dismissed as an illusion." Parvati smiled and fed Shiva with her own hands.
Since then Parvati is worshipped as Annapurna , the Goddess of Nourishment.
Epithets
Annapurna has many names. The Annapurna Sahasranam presents her one thousand names and the Annapurna Shatanama Stotram contains 108 of her names. She is variously described as:
- She who is full, complete and perfect with food and grains
- She who gives nourishment
- She who is the strength of Shiva
- She who is the grantor of knowledge
- She who takes away all fear
- She who is the Supreme welfare
- She who manifests truth and efficiency
- She who is beyond Maya
- She who is the cause of creation and dissolution
Iconography
Physically, Goddess Annapurna is described as holding a golden ladle adorned with various kinds of jewels in her right hand and a vessel full of delicious porridge in her left. She is seated on a throne and in some depictions Lord Shiva is shown standing to her right with a begging bowl begging her for alms
It is said that she does not eat a morsel unless all her devotees have been fed in her temple.
Worship
She is worshipped through the recitation of her thousand names and her one hundred and eight names. The Sri Annapurna Ashtakam composed by Shankaracharya is chanted by several devout Hindus around the world as a prayer for nourishment, wisdom, and renunciation. Before partaking of any food, Hindus chant the following prayer:
“Oh Annapurna , who is always full, complete, and perfect. Beloved energy of Lord Shiva, for the attainment of perfection in wisdom and renunciation, give me alms, Parvati.
My mother is Goddess Parvati, my father is the Supreme Lord Maheswara. My relatives are the devotees of Lord Shiva, and the three worlds are my Motherland.â€
The Annapurna Vrat Katha containing stories of her devotees are also recited by her devotees.
Temples
The most well-known temple dedicated to Goddess Annapurna is in Varanasi, U.P., India . Adjacent to the Sanctum of the Goddess is the Kasi Viswanath temple. The two are separated only by a few yards. Annapurna is regarded as the queen of Varanasi alongside her husband Vishweshwar (Shiva), the King of Varanasi.
In the temple, at noon time, food offerings to the Goddess are distributed to the elderly and disabled daily. During the Autumn Navaratri food is distributed on a larger scale.
The other famous temple is situated at Horanadu in the pristine western ghats of Karnataka,a short drive from Kudremukh and Sringeri, where evening prayers are held after the devotees are fed.
Sri Annapurna Ashtakam
What is an Ashtakam? An Ashtakam is a song comprising eight sections. You are expected to sing each section to the same music.
Sri Annapurna Ashtakam is written by Adi Shankaracharya to praise and invoke the grace of Mother Goddess Annapurneswari. Mother Goddess Annapurneswari is the presiding deity at Banaras or Varanasi. She is the Mother who graces food to everybody ; especially for poor and destitute. The Godess of Varanasi also fed King Harishchandra's children (he became poor due to Rishi Vashishta). There are many Annapoorni temples in India where food is freely served every day to every one i.e. Dharmasthala in Karnataka.
Annapurna Ashtakam is loved for its wordings and composition. You will realise all your ambitions by chanting or singing this ashtakam.
Nithyaananda kari,
Varaa abhya karee,
Soundarya rathnaakaree,
Nirddhotahakila ghora pavaanakaree,
Prathyaksha Maheswaree,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree.,
Naana rathna vichitra bhooshana karee,
Hemaambaradambaree,
Mukthaa haara vilamba maana vilasa,
Dwakshoja kumbaan dharee,
Kasmeera garu vasithaa ruchi karee,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree 2
Yogaanandakaree ripu kshyakaree,
Dharman artha nishtaakaree,
Chandrarkaanala bhasa maana laharee,
Trilokya rakshaa karee,
Sarvaiswarya samastha vaanchithakaree,K
Kasi puraadheeswaree,B
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree 3
Kailaasaachala kandharaa laya karee,
Gowree , umaa sankaree,Kaumaree nigamartha gochara karee,
Omkara beejaksharee,
Moksha dwaara kavata patana karee,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree 4
Drusyaa drusya vibhootha vahana karee,
Brhmaanda bhando dharee,
Leelaa nataka suthra kelana karee,
Vijnana deeptham guree,
Sree viswesa mana prasaadhana karee,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree 5
Urvee sarva janeswaree bhagawathee,
Maatha krupaa sagaree,
Venee neela samaana kunthala dharee,
Ananda dhaneswaree,
Sarvanandakaree bhayaa shubhakaree,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree 6
Aadhi kshaantha samastha varna nikaree,
Shabho tribhaava karee,
Kasmeeraa tripureswaree trilaharee,
Nithyaamakuree sarvaree,
Kamaa kamksha karee janodhaya karee,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree 7
Devee sarva vichitra rathna rachithaa,
Dakshayanee sundaree,
Vama swadu payodhara priyakaree,
Sownhagya maaheswaree,
Bhakthaabhishtakaree, sadaa shubhakaree,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree 8
Chandrakaanala koti koti sadrusaa,
Chandramsu bhimbaan dharee,
Chandrakaagni samaana kunthala dharee
Chandrarka varneshwaree,
Maala pustaka pasasangusa dharee,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree 9
Kshatrathraanakaree, mahaa bhayakaree,
Mthaa krupaa sagaree,
Sakshaan mokshakaree sadaa shiva karee,
Visweshwaree sridharee,
Daksha krundha karee niraa mayakaree,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree 10
Annapurne sadaa purne,
Sankara praana vallabhe,
Jnana vairagya sidhyartham,Bikshaa dehee cha parvathy.
Mathaa cha Parvathy Devi,
Pithaas cha Maheswara
Bandhawa Shiva Bhakatamscha,
Swadesho Bhuvana Trayam.
| 108 Names of Goddess Annapoorna |
| Om Anna Purnayai Namaha |
| Om Shivayai Namaha |
| Om Devyai Namaha |
| Om Bheemayai Namaha |
| Om Pushtyai Namaha |
| Om Sarsvatyai Namaha |
| Om Sarva Gynayai Namaha |
| Om Parvatyai Namaha |
| Om Durgayai Namaha |
| Om Sharvanyai Namaha |
| Om Shiva Valla Bhayai Namaha |
| Om Veda Vedyayai Namaha |
| Om Maha Vidyayai Namaha |
| Om Vidya Datyai Namaha |
| Om Visharadayai Namaha |
| Om Kumaryai Namaha |
| Om Tripurayai Namaha |
| Om Balayai Namaha |
| Om Lakshmyai Namaha |
| Om Bhaya Harinyai Namaha |
| Om Bhava Nyai Namaha |
| Om Vishnu Jananyai Namaha |
| Om Bramhadi Jananyai Namaha |
| Om Ganesha Jananyai Namaha |
| Om Shakyai Namaha |
| Om Kumara Jananyai Namaha |
| Om Shubhayai Namaha |
| Om Bhoga Pradayai Namaha |
| Om Bhaga Vatyai Namaha |
| Om Bhakta Bheeshta Pradayeinyai Namaha |
| Om Bhava Roga Garayai Namaha |
| Om Bhavyayai Namaha |
| Om Shubrayai Namaha |
| Om Parama Mangalayai Namaha |
| Om Bhavanyai Namaha |
| Om Chamchalayai Namaha |
| Om Gaoryai Namaha |
| Om Charu Chandra Kala Dharayai Namaha |
| Om Vishalaksyai Namaha |
| Om Visha Matayai Namaha |
| Om Visha Vandyayai Namaha |
| Om Vilasinyai Namaha |
| Om Aaryayai Namaha |
| Om Kalyana Nilayayai Namaha |
| Om Rudranyai Namaha |
| Om Kamala Sanayai Namaha |
| Om Shubha Pradayai Namaha |
| Om Shubhayai Namaha |
| Om Anantayai Namaha |
| Om Matta Peena Payo Dharayai Namaha |
| Om Ambayai Namaha |
| Om Samhara Madhanyai Namaha |
| Om Mrudanyai Namaha |
| Om Sarva Mangalayai Namaha |
| Om Vishnu Samgelitayai Namaha |
| Om Sidhayai Namaha |
| Om Bramhanyai Namaha |
| Om Sura Sevitayai Namaha |
| Om Para Manamda Dayai Namaha |
| Om Shantyai Namaha |
| Om Paramananda Rupinyai Namaha |
| Om Paramananda Jananyai Namaha |
| Om Para Nanda Pradayai Namaha |
| Om Paro Pakara Niratayai Namaha |
| Om Paramayai Namaha |
| Om Bhakta Vatsalayai Namaha |
| Om Purna Chandra Bhava Danayai Namaha |
| Om Purna Chanda Nibhamshukayai Namaha |
| Om Shubha Lakshana Sampannayai Namaha |
| Om Shubha Saobhagya Nilayayai Namaha |
| Om Shubha Dayai Namaha |
| Om Rati Priyayai Namaha |
| Om Chandikayai Namaha |
| Om Chanda Madanayai Namaha |
| Om Chanda Darpa Nivarinyai Namaha |
| Om Martanda Nayanayai Namaha |
| Om Sadvyai Namaha |
| Om Chandragni Nayanayai Namaha |
| Om Satyai Namaha |
| Om Pundareeka Harayai Namaha |
| Om Purnayai Namaha |
| Om Punya Dayai Namaha |
| Om Punya Rupinyai Namaha |
| Om Mayatee Tayai Namaha |
| Om Shreshta Mayayai Namaha |
| Om Shreshta Dharmatma Vanditayai Namaha |
| Om Asrushtyai Namaha |
| Om Samga Rahitayai Namaha |
| Om Srushti Hetu Kavardhinyai Namaha |
| Om Vrusharudayai Namaha |
| Om Shula Hastayai Namaha |
| Om Sdhiti Samhara Karinyai Namaha |
| Om Mandasmitayai Namaha |
| Om Skanda Matayai Namaha |
| Om Shudha Chittayai Namaha |
| Om Muni Stutayai Namaha |
| Om Maha Bhagavatyai Namaha |
| Om Dakshayai Namaha |
| Om Daksha Dhvara Vinashinyai Namaha |
| Om Sarvardha Datyai Namaha |
| Om Savitryai Namaha |
| Om Sada Shiva Kutumbinyai Namaha |
| Om Nitya Sundara Sarvaga Namaha |
| Om Sachidananda Lakshanayai Namaha |
| Om Sarva Devata Sampujyayai Namaha |
| Om Shankara Priya Vallabhayai Namaha |
| Om Sarva Dharayai Namaha |
| Om Maha Sadhvyai Namaha |
| Om Sree Anna Purnayai Namaha |
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