Khodiyar Maa

Khodiyar Maa

Story Of Mataji

The story of Khodiyar Maa goes back to around 700A.D. It begins from a village called Roishala. Roishala was a part of Vallabhipur province near the now Bhavnagar city in Saurashtra (Gujarat, India).
Maharaj Shilbhadra was the ruler of the Vallabhipur province. Mamaniya Gadhvi lived in the small town, Roishala in his kingdom. He used to be Maharaj Shilbhadra’s best companion and a close confidant. Honest by heart, the humble and eloquent Shiv bhakt, Mamaniya Gadhvi was appointed as a Rajgadhvi by his friend. The king would talk to him for hours at his palace and consult him for important governance issues.
This alliance between Maharaj Shilbhadra and Mamaniya was envied by many ministers in his council. They disliked his presence at the palace and Mahraj’s personal chamber. Often found helpless, they could dare not reveal their hatred to the king. They did it to the queen (Maharaj Shilbhadra’s wife). One of the king’s men pointed out to the queen that Mamaniya and his wife were ‘baanj’ as they didn't have a child since years after being married. This as explained by him made his presence inauspicious for the king, the kingdom and queen’s prospects of having a child.
The brainwashed queen had to but order the king’s men to refrain Mamaniya Gadhvi’s entry to the palace. Next day the modest soul was stopped at the doors of the court. He was told by the doormen that the king didn’t want to see his inauspicious face. Shocked Mamaniya sought for a reason for the changed attitude of the king who also has been his best friend. The doorman told him that the king finds it ominous to see a man without kids to be present in the court or king’s palace.
Lightning struck at first, Mamaniya’s heart was in fragments. He leaves the palace without much of debate trying to swallow the humiliation caused after years of friendship and selfless service.

How to become janabai to khodiyar Mataji:-

Once the seven sisters, one brother killed merakhiya poisonous bite sape. The poison was not inferior in any way. The seven sisters and parents have been adhdhara lives. This time someone has said that if patal lok in nag araja bringing water from the sun ugya amrtakumbha merakhiya given before the poison can bring.
The sisters listening youngest brother lives there janabai reopened to prevent the tube amrtakumbha. When amrtakumbha when they were out of the way to take his legs hurt and he was injured, so I can be reached amrtakumbha janabai quickly magarani for the ride. Since then, the crocodile became his vehicle. When they came out of the water were running khodatam ankle injury. 

They kaheva after seeing all the excitement that has been khodi occurred. Just then her recognition as janabai knows khodiyar. Khodiyar maa is strength of the many paraca. This is due to their devotees in khodiyar bandhav many temples. Galdhara is the main Dham. It is said that Ra 'navaghan khodiyar Mata mother was very faith. 

The fruit of their faith and believe in the State 'navaghana was born, so that the Rajput chudasama puja began as a khodiyar is kuladevi. When Ra 'navaghana went to war to protect his sister when his horse heights below 200 m near the temple in the foothills of him, but ra' navaghan No one was injured. 

The ra 'navaghanano is Miracle Rescue in the khodiyar only. In this temple and in the State 'navaghana was also aneri faith, so it is often with their rasala darsan coming here. The addition of rajapara, matel and kagavada (Jetpur) are located in khodiyar Mataji Temple. This saktisthalo jagatam centers asthanam alive.

Mamniya's prayers answered.

Mamaniya goes home from the capital. The displeased look on his face could not evade his wife, Minalde’s eye. After probing for reasons, she learns about his humiliation at the king’s palace for the fact that they did not have kids. She could do little to please her husband who was still reeling under the shock.
Mamaniya decides to go to Shiv temple and make a demand to Lord Shiv for kids. He decides to perform Kamal pooja (a type of Hathyog to please God by hook or by crook). Finally Mamaniya decides to give his life to the unmoved Lord Shiv.
Just when he was about to make his final sacrifice Lord Shiv appeared. Lord asked him for a wish and knowing the same he rejected it saying that it weren’t in his destiny to become a father. Later he took him to ‘Naglok’ (the snake kingdom) to see if ‘Nagdev’ (the king of snakes) could help. On hearing his case, Nagdev’s daughters (Nagputris) decide to rescue helpless Mamaniya from his emotional crisis. 7 nagputris (daughters) and 1 nagputra (son) agree to take birth at his place. They promise to arrive on Mahasudh Aatham (debated as Ashadi Beej in some versions).
Mamaniya and his wife, as informed, keep 8 cradles ready in anticipation of the great event. As promised 8 snakes crawl in to their house and occupy each cradle. In no time they take form of a baby. One amongst the 8 babies born is Janbai (Khodiyar Maa).
Mamaniya and his wife celebrate the miracle of their life by distributing sweets. The announcement of having fathered 7 daughters and 1 son reach every nook and corner of the town.
They name their daughters as Aaval, Jogal, Togal, Janbai, Holbai, Beejbai, Sosai and the son, Mehrak (Mehrakiya with love).
Some fellow villagers knew that Minalde was not pregnant and to have delivered 8 kids could not have been less than a miracle as they claim. Some suspected the overnight turnout to be a result of a black-magic trick practiced by Mamaniya and his wife. These rumours found their way to Maharaj Shilbhadra’s ears who was as rejoiced as anybody else on knowing that Mamaniya was no longer a ‘baanj.’ Hence it made him reluctant before he paid his visit to Mamaniya charan’s celebrations.

Khodiyar Maa derives her name

Mamaniya’s young kids were playing in the field when brother, Mehrak was bit by a venomous snake. His sisters rushed to him. Aaval suggests bringing of ‘Ami’ (Elixir of life) from the ‘Naglok’ underneath the sea. It had to be brought before the sunset in order to save Mehrak’s life. Janbai volunteers to bring Ami from Naglok before the sunset.
She gets ‘Ami’ from Naglok. While hurrying her way back to the surface of water she injures her foot in the hostile rocks beneath. She is rescued by a crocodile who escorts Mataji on its back to the surface of water.
Limping with discomfort Mataji happens to reach the accident site on time. Seeing her in this state, Aaval guesses she must have injured her foot. Feet injury is known as Khodi and that’s when she hears one of them saying, “Khodati aavechhe” (She is limping on her way). For this feat of her to save her brother, Aaval decides to name her Khodiyar and declares that she would be in future known and worshipped as KHODIYAR Maa.
This particular event gives us an idea of how quick and impatient Khodiyar Maa is when it comes to answering the prayers of her followers.
This event also made ‘magar’ (crocodile) her ‘vahan’ (vehicle). Crocodile is an amphibian reptile. Maa Khodiyar on a crocodile symbolizes her supremacy over both land and water.

Mataji and her siblings float on water

Mataji and her siblings float on water
King’s men grab this occasion in wake of rumours to plan king’s assassination and blame Mamaniya charan for the same. One of the plants secretly poison the sweets specially brought by Mamaniya charan to offer to the king.
A happy Shilbhadra takes his look at all the babies. When he takes little Janbai in to his arms from the cradle, Mataji extends her hands over his head to bless him. To protect the innocent king from his assassination attempt, Mataji performs another miracle from the cradle. When Shilbhadra is about to eat the poisoned sweets they disappear suddenly.
This annoys the king adding to his doubt of black magic trick being involved. He orders killing of the babies by immersing them in water in iron boxes. To his disbelief the iron boxes floated on water and everyone on the banks could still hear the babies crying in the boxes.

The imporatnce of Lapsi(prasad).

Lapsi is believed to be the most auspicious food of Khodiyar Maa. Made of wheat, it is sweet to taste. Variants of lapsi are offered to other Matajis. At Rajapara Khodiyar Mandir, Bhavnagar, tones of lapsi is made on Mahasudh Aatham to offer to Khodiyar Maa and distribute to all the bhakts as prasad. At Sanyas Aashram, Mumbai, on the day of Chaitra sudh paacham (an auspicious day when Khodiyar Maa’s idol was placed in the mandir) lapsi weighing 100s of kilograms prepared so that all the Khodiyar bhakts in Mumbai can share it for their mega-feast in the name of Khodiyar Maa.
The lapsi seems to be chosen by Goddesses as their food as it is very easy to prepare, good to taste, filling to have and the ingredients are on easy avail. In olden times the villagers made lapsi as a sweet note to dish for any household celebrations. Wheat used for daily bread, jaggery for curries and desi butter (ghee) with some oil is all you need to make it.

Six Sisters :-
1) Aaval,

2) Jogal,

3) Togal,

4) Holbai,

5) Beejbai,

6) Sosai

One Brother :-
1) Mehrak

OM

OM

Om: Symbol of the Absolute

"The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence … is Om. This syllable Om is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahma."

~ Katha Upanishad 

Om or Aum is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol (as seen in the image on the right) is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism — omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable. Om, therefore, represents both the unmanifest (nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of God. That is why it is called pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath.

Although Om symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief, it is in use daily. The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple premise or in some form or another on family shrines.

Om in Daily Life

Although Om symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief, it is in use daily. The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple premise or in some form or another on family shrines.

It is interesting to note that a newly born child is ushered into the world with this holy sign. After birth, the child is ritually cleansed and the sacred syllable Om is written on its tongue with honey. Thus right at the time of birth the syllable Om is initiated into the life of a Hindu and ever remains with him as the symbol of piety. Om is also a popular symbol used in contemporary body art and tattoos.

NANDI

NANDI

Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva

There was once a sage called as Shilada. Shilada did not have any children. of his own, but he adored children. He wanted to adopt a child, but he did not want to adopt just any child. He wanted a special child blessed by Lord Shiva. So he worshipped Lord Shiva for many years.

Lord Shiva finally appeared before Shilada, 'What boon do you seek, Shilada?'

'A child. I wish to have a child, Lord Shiva.' Shilada said bowing before Lord Shiva.

Shiva smiled. 'You shall have it soon' He said and vanished.

Shilada returned home a happy man, knowing that the Lord would bless him with a very good child. The next day he went to the farm to begin his ploughing, when he found a beautiful baby in the field before his plough. The baby's skin glowed with a beautiful white light.

Shilada stared at the baby transfixed, when he heard a voice from the heaven, 'SHILADA, TAKE THE CHILD. BRING HIM UP WELL!'

Shilada was overjoyed as he took the boy home. He named the boy Nandi. Right from his childhood, Nandi was devoted to Lord Shiva. Shilada brought up the child with love and care. Shilada taught the child the Vedas and gave the child a good education. Nandi was a brilliant boy and learnt everything very fast. Shilada felt very proud of the child.

Some years later, two sages – Mitra and Varuna came to Shilada's home. 'Welcome great sages!' Shilada gave the rishis some refreshments, 'Please sit and make yourself comfortable.'

'Nandi!' Shilada called his son. Nandi came from inside the house. 'Nandi please make sure these sages are well looked after.'

Nandi smiled and nodded his head. 'Yes father!'

Nandi looked after the two sages well and after enjoying the stay, the sages said that it was time they left. Before they were about to live, Shilada and Nandi both prostrated before the two sages.

Mitra and Varuna first blessed Shilada, 'Have a long and happy life, Shilada. You have made us very happy!'

When Nandi fell at the feet, the two sages looked slightly sad. Slowly they said, 'Be well son! Be good to your parents and your teachers!' And they walked off, outside the house

However Shilada noticed the change in the expression of the sages. He ran outside the house, 'Great rishis!' He said breathlessly. He turned around and made sure that Nandi was inside the house and could not hear him,  and talked to the sages, 'You looked sad while blessing my son!' Shilada said feeling terrified, as he was thinking of unpleasant things...'Is...is something wrong?'

Mitra looked at Shilada with pity, 'I cannot wish your son a long life....' Mitra said softly.

Shilada looked in absolute panic. 'What is going to happen to my son?' He whispered.

'Your son, does not...' Varuna cleared his throat, '...does not have long to live, Shilada. I am sorry...' He said lamely, looking at the horrified expression on Shilada'a face.

Shilada stood there transfixed for a long time. After a long time, he slowly walked back home with stooping shoulders and a broken heart.

Nandi immediately guessed something was wrong, 'What is it father? What happened? What...' Nandi asked, vigorously shaking his father.

Slowly and painfully, Shilada narrated his conversation with the two sages.

He expected Nandi to be scared or even that Nandi would even start crying. HoweverShilada was surprised when he heard Nandi's laugh. 'You were scared of what the sages said!' He said still laughing.

Shilada wondered what could be so funny and looked at his son without any expression.

'Father, you have told me that you have seen Lord Shiva...' Nandi said with great devotion in his eyes. 'Anybody who has seen Lord Shiva cannot be afraid of what the sages just said.'

Shilada still looked dumbly at his son, not understanding. 'Father, it is my fate to die, then Lord Shiva can reverse my fate! He is the most powerful God and can do anything. Do you think he would let anything happen to us, when we worship him?' Nandi looked at his father challengingly. 'I don't think so., father..' Nandi said softly.

Shilada looked at his son as if looking at him for the first time. Slowly Shilada nodded his head and smiled.

Nandi bowed to his father. 'Bless me father!'

Shilada blessed his son, 'Be victorious my son!'

Nandi then went near the River Bhuvana. He entered the river and began his penance. His devotion was so great and his concentration was so high, that Lord Shiva appeared almost instantaneously.

'Nandi, open you eyes!' said the three eyed God tenderly, looking at Nandi.

Nandi opened his eyes and before his eyes stood the most beautiful person he had seen in his whole life. Nandi looked at the God wanting to savour his image. He felt that he had nothing more left to ask. If only I could stay with the Lord always...

Shiva looked at Nandi with lots of love, 'Nandi, you penance was so powerful that it dragged me here immediately! Ask me anything I will grant it to you!' Shiva said.

'Lord I wish to be with you always.' The words were out of Nandi's mouth before he could stop them.

Shiva smiled. 'Nandi I have just lost my bull, on which I used to travel. Henceforth Nandi, you shall have a face of a bull. You shall stay in my home at Kailash. You shall be the head of all my Ganas...You will be my companion, my vehicle and my friend, always!'

Nandi closed his eyes as tears flowed through them. The Lord had granted him his wish and a lot more...

Since then Nandi became Shiva's vehicle, doorman, his companion and the head of all of Shiva's attendants – the Ganas. Thus by sheer devotion Nandi was not only able to overcome his fate, he also rewrote it!

A few days later the Devas and the Asuras together churned the ocean for nectar. However the first thing that emerged from the churning was the poison Halahal. The poison was so strong that it threatened to destroy the whole world. To protect the world, Lord Shivacollected the poison in his hand and swallowed it. Goddess Parvati who was near Lord Shiva clutched Shiva's throat to make sure that the poison was stored in the throat and would not affect Lord Shiva.

However some Halahal slipped out of Shiva's hands and fell on the ground. Nandi gathered the fallen Halahal and seeing his master drink it, he also drank it!

The Devas were staring shocked at what Nandi had done! Lord Shiva was a God and besides he had Goddess Parvati to protect him, so nothing would happen to Lord Shiva. But Nandi...

However nothing happened to Nandi. Shiva looked at the dumb folded gods and smiled,'Nandi is my greatest devotee! All my powers are his too and Parvati's protection will go tohim too!'

The three of them smiled and then returned to Kailash.

Lord Yama(Yamraj)

Lord Yama (Yamraj) God of deth

Samjna, the wife of Vivasvan, the sun-god, gave birth to the Manu named Sraddhadeva, and the same fortunate wife also gave birth to the twins Yamaraja and the River Yamuna.

Yamaraja is one of the mahajanas, the twelve persons authorized to properly maintain the human civilization, including Brahma, Narada, Lord Siva and Kumara, Manu and Lord Kapila, Bhisma and Prahlada, Janaka, Bali, and Sukadeva Gosvami (Vaiyasaki).

Yamaraja is also dharma-vit. His name is Dharmarajam because he knows how to punish a person on religious principles. He is also called Antaka and Mrtyu.

Yamaraja, or Dharmaraja, as the superintendent of death, has to judge the criminal living entities who have committed sinful activities throughout their lives. Consequently Yamaraja is expected to be most expert in judicial matters. Although Yamaraja is a controller, he is only a departmental controller of a few living entities. There are other demigods who control many other departments, but above them all is one supreme controller, Krsna.

The omnipotent Yamaraja is as good as Lord Brahma, for while situated in his own abode or in everyone's heart like the Paramatma, he mentally observes the past activities of a living entity and thus understands how the living entity will act in future lives. He has the complete cooperation of the Supreme Lord, who is situated in everyone's heart, and therefore, by the grace of the Supersoul, he can see the past, present and future of a living being from within.

Yamaraja, the King of the pitas, resides in Pitrloka with his personal assistants, the Yamadutas. He has been given jurisdiction on the southern, or lower, portion of the universe, called Patala. South of Sumeru Mountain is Samyamani, the abode of Yamaraja, the superintendent of death. It is said that there is an everlasting belt of water called the River Vaitarani at the entrance of the plutonic planet (Pluto) of Yamaraja. The abode of Yamaraja is called Yamasadana. Vaitarani is the river which lies in front of the doorway of Yamaraja. Samyamani is the residence of Yamaraja.

Maharaja Yudhisthira was the son of Dharmaraja (Yamaraja). Maharaja Yudhisthira's mother, Kunti, had the power to call any demigod. She got this benediction from Durvasa Muni. So he (she) had his (her) three sons, means Maharaja Yudhisthira, Bhima, and Arjuna. She got Maharaja Yudhisthira from Dharmaraja, Arjuna from Indra, and Bhima from Varuna...

Maharaja Marutta, a great devotee of the son of the sun-god known as Yamaraja, was one of the great emperors of the world. He reigned over the world long before the reign of Maharaja Yudhisthira.

At the request of Lord Brahma, Prajapati Daksa, who is known as Pracetasa, begot sixty daughters in the womb of his wife Asikni. All the daughters were very affectionate toward their father. Ten of these daughters were given in charity to Dharmaraja [Yamaraja]. Their names were Bhanu, Lamba, Kakud, Yami, Visva, Sadhya, Marutvati, Vasu, Muhurta and Sankalpa.

The brahmanas and Vedic knowledge come from the mouth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ksatriyas and bodily strength come from His arms, the vaisyas and their expert knowledge in productivity and wealth come from His thighs, and the sudras, who are outside of Vedic knowledge, come from His feet. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full in prowess, be pleased with us. Greed is generated from His lower lip, affection from His upper lip, bodily luster from His nose, animalistic lusty desires from His sense of touch, Yamaraja from His eyebrows, and eternal time from His eyelashes.

Yama-danda is the scepter of Yamaraja. Yavanesvara is the emblem of death, Yamaraja. Before going to the place of Yamaraja, the living entity accepts Jara, old age, the sister of Yamaraja. One is subjected to the influence of Yavana-raja and his sister due to impious activity.

Generally Yamaraja is portrayed in a fearful way and so is often pictured as black. That is all right. But actually he is a demigod and must be fair complexion. He is a mahajana and a Vaisnava as well and he is also very good looking.

Yamaraja is a great devotee of the Lord, and he likes to be invited to kirtanas and sacrifices by the pure devotees, who are constantly engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. Thus the great sages, headed by Saunaka and others, invited Yamaraja to attend the sacrifice performed at Naimisaranya. This was good for those who did not want to die.

Yavana is the servant of Yamaraja. The Yamadutas are the assistants, or messengers, of Yamaraja. When Yamaraja and his assistants take a living entity away to the place of judgment, the life, life air and desires, being followers of the living entity, also go with him... When the living entity and the life air are gone, the lump of matter produced of five elements -- earth, water, air, fire and ether -- is rejected and left behind. The living entity then goes to the court of judgment, and Yamaraja decides what kind of body he is going to get next. This process is unknown to modern scientists. Every living entity is responsible for his activities in this life, and after death he is taken to the court of Yamaraja, where it is decided what kind of body he will take next. Although the gross material body is left, the living entity and his desires, as well as the resultant reactions of his past activities, go on. It is Yamaraja who decides what kind of body one gets next in accordance with one's past actions.

Vidura is the incarnation of Yamaraja. He was conceived by Vyasadeva in the womb of the maidservant of Ambika, mother of Maharaja Pandu. During the pastime of Manduka Muni, the muni cursed Yamaraja to become a sudra, and this sudra incarnation of Yamaraja was known as Vidura, the sudra brother of Dhrtarastra and Maharaja Pandu. But this sudra son of the Kuru dynasty was equally treated by Bhismadeva, along with his other nephews, and in due course Vidura was married with a girl who was also born in the womb of a sudrani by a brahmana. Although Vidura did not inherit the property of his father (the brother of Bhismadeva), still he was given sufficient state property by Dhrtarastra, the elder brother of Vidura. Vidura was very much attached to his elder brother, and all along he tried to guide him on the right path. During the fratricidal war of Kuruksetra, Vidura repeatedly implored his elder brother to do justice to the sons of Pandu, but Duryodhana did not like such interference by his uncle, and thus he practically insulted Vidura. This resulted in Vidura's leaving home for pilgrimage and taking instructions from Maitreya.

Vidura is one of the administrative demigods in charge of the Pitrloka planet. When Yamaraja thus incarnated himself as Vidura, his post was officiated by Aryama, one of the many sons of Kasyapa and Aditi. The Adityas are sons of Aditi, and there are twelve Adityas. Aryama is one of the twelve Adityas, and therefore it was quite possible for him to take charge of the office of Yamaraja during his one hundred years' absence in the form of Vidura. The conclusion is that Vidura was never a sudra, but was greater than the purest type of brahmana.

Yamaraja is deputed by the Lord to a particular planet, some hundreds of thousands of miles away from the planet of earth, to take away the corrupt souls after death and convict them in accordance with their respective sinful activities. Thus, Yamaraja has very little time to take leave from his responsible office of punishing the wrongdoers. There are more wrongdoers than righteous men. Therefore Yamaraja has to do (more) work than other demigods who are also authorized agents of the Supreme Lord. But he wanted to preach the glories of the Lord, and therefore, by the will of the Lord, he was cursed by Manduka Muni to come into the world in the incarnation of Vidura and work very hard as a great devotee."