Vindhyachal Obstructs the Path of Surya

Once, sage Vyas narrated the following tale to all the assembled sages-- ' Once, while wandering about, sage Narad arrived at Vindhyachal mountain. He was received with great honour and respect by Vindhyachal mountain. But, when the time arrived for Narad to take his leave, he took a deep sigh, which made Vindhyachal extremely perplexed and he asked Narad if anything was wrong. Narad replied--' Your rival-Meru mountain is superior to you in every respect and this is the fact I am lamenting about. My deep sigh is just the indication of my worried state of mind.'

Vindhyachal mountain was filled with inferiority complex and started waiting for an opportunity when he could prove his superiority to Meru mountain. He thought--' Perhaps Narad was right for even Lord Surya has great respect for Meru's might and this is the reason why he circumambulates my adversary. If I am able to beat Meru in height then may be Lord Surya would start circumambulating me and this way I shall prove my superiority to Meru.'

Now, Vindhyachal started increasing his height and in a short time its peaks became invisible. The fallout of this amazing incident proved to be quite catastrophic for the world because even Lord Surya was left stranded at a particular point in the horizon. As a result, one part of the earth became too hot for any life to exist. Similarly, the other half of the earth became unbearably cold. The time became still and everything went haywire in the world.

All the deities became extremely worried and went to Lord Brahma to seek his help. Lord Brahma advised them to go to Kashi and seek help from sage Agastya. Deities were pleased at their good fortune of getting a chance to visit Kashi. Deities, after reaching Kashi paid a visit to 'Manikarnika teerth' and took their bath. Subsequently, they went to Vishwanath temple and worshipped Lord Vishwanath. At last, they reached the hermitage of Agastya where he was busy worshipping a self made Shivalinga. The entire hermitage was crowded with young pupils of Agastya. After the pleasantries having been exchanged, sage Agastaya asked the deities about the purpose of their visit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vindhya_Range

AGASTYA ORDERS VINDHYA TO DIMINISH ITS SIZE

When Agastya learnt of the problem created by Vindhyachal, he agreed to help the deities despite fully aware of the fact that once he left Kashi it would not be possible for him to see his dearest Kashi once again at least in his present birth. Before leaving for Vindhyachal, he sought permission from Lord Bhairav. He then reached the place where Vindhyachal had obstructed the path of Surya. Lopamudra, his wife accompanied him.

When Vindhyachal found Agastya starring angrily at him he became scarred and immediately minimized his size. Sage Agastya was pleased that his objective had been achieved without making any effort but he knew quite well that once he left the place Vindhyachal would regain his mammoth size. So he decided to do something so that Vindhyachal could not obstruct the path of Surya. He worked out a plan according to which he instructed Vindhyachal to wait for him until he returned after accomplishing his pilgrimage. Vindhyachal agreed assuming that Agastya would return in a short time.

Vindhyachal thanked his good fortune of escaping Agastya's wrath, which could otherwise have threatened his very existence. Sage Agastya then went away never to return and Vindhyachal kept on waiting for his arrival. This way, the path being cleared, Surya was once again able to move freely on its orbit without any problem and as a result normalcy returned to the world.

Book 10

. Chapter 1 - On the story of Svāyambhuva Manu

. Chapter 2 - On the conversation between Nārada and the Bindhya Mountain

. Chapter 3 - On the obstruction of the Sun’s course by the Bindhya Mountain

. Chapter 4 - On the Devas going to Mahā Deva

. Chapter 5 - On the Devas going to Viṣṇu

. Chapter 6 - On the Devas praying to the Muni Agastya

. Chapter 7 - On the checking of the rise of the Bindhya Range

. Chapter 8 - On the origin of Manu

. Chapter 9 - On the narrative of Cākṣuṣa Manu

http://powerfulplace.blogspot.com/search/label/DeviBhagavatam 

Agastya Vasishta Suteekshna

The gods and the rakshasas have been enemies from time immemorial. They have always been at war with each other. Once the Lord of the Gods, Indra, gave an order to Agni and Vayu (the Gods of Fire and the Winds): "Pursue the rakshasas and destroy them."Both of them followed the rakshasas. Many rakshasas were killed in battle. In order to escape from the gods a few of the rakshasas hid themselves in the ocean. "They are hiding in the ocean. No harm will come from these cowards"--- so thinking Agni and Vayu returned. Indra was very angry because Agni and Vayu had spared the lives of some rakshasas. He called them immediately and said, "Why did you not complete the task given to you? Even now go and churn the ocean, if necessary, and destroy the rakshasas hiding in it. Do not leave a single trace of them. I do not mind even if the ocean dries up." So ordered Indra.Agni and Vayu were in a difficult position. They said, "0 Indra,there are many creatures in the ocean, they have harmed no one. If we churn the ocean, they will die. Will that not be unjust?"Destruction of the wicked is good for the world. Every one should strive to destroy the wicked. Suppose a man gives shelter to a wicked person, knowing that he is wicked - does he not deserve punishment? In such a situation, can there be any question of right or wrong? The enraged Indra cursed them both saying, "You have forgotten your duty and have come to teach me the meaning of Dharma (right conduct). For such a discussion the earth is the right place. So, be born on the earth!" Turning to Agni he added, "You shall drink the ocean." Thus Agni and Vayu were born as Agasthya and Vasishta on the earth. Indira's curse became a boon to the earth.Agasthya's father was Mithravaruna Rishi, his mother was the divine damsel Urvashi. Agasthya was also called Kumbhasambhava' (the one born in a pot) and 'Mythravaruni' (the son of Mithravaruna). 

Another Kalpa

https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk06ch14.htm

Suteekshna

http://ysics.blogspot.com/search/label/Suteekshna

Triplets

https://www.google.com/search?q=Agastya+Vasishta+Suteekshna

Avatar

https://freeglobaluniversity.blogspot.com/search/label/Avatar

Agasthyakoodam

Map

http://wikimapia.org/2142708/Agasthiya-Koodam

Tube
https://www.youtube.com/results?q=Agasthyakoodam

River / Temples
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thamirabarani_River
http://shivavishnu.blogspot.com/2011/08/nava-thirupathi-and-nava-kailasam-map.html

Kallanai

 

https://freeglobaluniversity.blogspot.com/search/label/Trichy

https://freeglobaluniversity.blogspot.com/search/label/Thanjavur

Mystical Spaces

 https://www.google.com/search?q=Mystical+Spaces

Krauncha

Agastya and kaveri began praying to Shiva in Kailash. Shiva appeared and asked Agastya what boon he desired. Agastya wanted help in pushing Vindhya down and establishing a holy place in bhuloka. Shiva agreed, made Kaveri a river and placed her in Agastya’s kamandalu to help him establish a theertha.

When Agastya was on his way back, Kruancha asura was son of Mainaka, who was the son of Mena blocked his way in the form of a mountain and made it rain heavily. Agastya lost his way and roamed the forests for a long while.

Finally he understood what happened and with 3-4 drops of kamandalu cursed that Krauncha would remain in that form. He said that Krauncha would get salvation from an arrow shot by Subramanya. As per Skandapurana Asurakanda Krauncha remained in that form from then on.

http://6tri.blogspot.com/search/label/Krauncha 

Vatapi and Ilvala Background / Link / Moral / Lake

https://www.google.com/search?q=vatapi

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ilvala

Long long ago there was a demon by name Ilvala in the city of Manimathi. He was very brave. He had a brother by name Vatapi. Once Ilvala invited a tapasvi brahmin, played host to him with reverence and begged him to grant a boon. He desired to have a son equal to Devendra. But the brahmin did not oblidge. Ilvala become very angry with the brahmin. This made him hate the entire brahmin community and he began to kill brahmins. He was very very wise.He devised a plan.He knew the art of magic. Besides, he was arrogant and short tempered.He would turn his brother Vatapi into a goat. He would invite a chaste brahmin. He would cut the goat and cook it while the guest went for a bath. When the guest returned he would serve him food. He had a strange power. When he shouted loudly the name of a dead person, the latter would come alive. When the brahmin left him after the meal, he would call his brother Vatapi whom he had turned into a goat and killed. He would shout, "Vatape athragacha."Vatapi would rip open the stomach of the brahmin and come out laughing. The brahmin would roll on the ground and die. In this way Ilvala would invite many brahmins everyday and kill them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badami#Etymology

Ilwala, the very word means "absence of good qualities—of restless mind." Vaataapi means "one who drinks of all life” meaning "death." Travellers crossing through the jungle of life when invited by "restless mind" to have a free feast of the "spirit of death" it is better that as spiritual seekers,we avoid it. Else we may meet with our end of the spiritual career then and there..... But Agasthya, a Man-of-wisdom (Gyani) cannot be destroyed by the tricks of the "restless mind," Ilwala. He can "digest" away Vaataapi and warn the Ilwala to behave well for the rest of his life time!

https://www.youtube.com/results?q=Agastya+lake