Essence Of
Varaha Purana
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9 Origin of Aswini Kumars and their worship on ‘Dviteeya’ (Narayana Mantra included) | |
Sage Mahatapa explained to Prajapal how Aswini Kumars were born. Marichi was Brahma’s son and Kashyap was the son of Marichi. Kashyap and Aditi begot Twelve ‘Adityas’ (Suns). [According to Vishnupurana the Adityas were Amsa, Aryaman, Bhaga, Dhuti, Mitra, Pusan, Sakra, Savitur, Twastha, Varuna, Vishnu/Vamana, Vaivaswat; Martand too was known as one of these, but Aditi appeared to have disowned him?] Martand wedded Viswakarma’s daughter Sangya and begot two children-Yama and Yami. Sangya was unable to bear the extreme heat of Martand, thus created her shadow counterpart with instructions to serve her husband in all ways and left for a place known as Uttarkuru. Eventually Martand came to know the truth, discovered her in the form of a mare, married her and gave birth to two Aswini Kumars! Martand instructed the sons to dedicate themselves in the worship of Narayana and after severe ‘Tapasya’by incessantly uttering ‘Narayana Mantra’ which was taught by Martand, Prajapati Narayan was finally pleased to appear Himself before them. When King Prajapal desired to learn the Mantra from the Sage Mahatapa, the latter obliged and recited it. The Text of the Narayana Mantra is as follows: ‘Namastey Nishkriya Nishprapancha Nirashraya Nirapeksha, Niralamba Nirguna Niraloka Niradhara Nirjara Nirakara-Brahman Maha Brahman Brahmanapriya Purusha Maha Puroshottama-Deva Maha Devottam Sthano Sthitasthapaka, Bhuta Maha Bhuta Bhutadhipati Yaksha Maha Yaksha Yakshadhipatey-Griha Maha Grihatipatey Sowmya Maha Sowmya Sowmyadhipathey, Pakshi Mahapakshapathey Ditya Maha Dityadhi pathey-Rudra Maha Rudradhipathey Vishnu Maha Vishnupathey, Parameswara Narayana Prajapathaye Namah-Evam Stuthastada Thabhyama Sivabhyam sa Prajapathih, Thrutosha Paramapreetya Vakyamcheda mukhavachah-Varam Varayatham Sheeghram Daivaih Paramadurlabham, yena me varadaaney charathastridivam Sukham’. Aswini Kumars had ‘Darshan’of Narayana and were blessed with boons of securing portions of Yajna, the authority of obtaining Amrit along with Devas, handsome figures, radiance and knowledge of medicine. As the Aswini Kumars are two in number, Brahma designated the second day of month or ‘Dviteeya’as the day of worship to them. Whoever reads or hears the story of Asvini Kumars and recites Narayana Matra would be blessed with noble sons and be relieved of sins. | |
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