Narrator:
(Blow of conch shell and instrumental music)
Disciple:
Pranam Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam, Baba, pranam.
Disciple:
Gurudev, today, please tell our viewers a story from the Puranas involving Mainak Parvat and Hanumanji.
Gurudev:
Mainak Parvat is actually located between 350 to 1,500 km in the Himalayas. There are many stories about this mountain that most people do not know. Once, Himalaya Raj decided to enter into a marriage. He chose Maina, the granddaughter of Daksha Raj, to be his bride and began his household. But Indra and Vishnu approached them and told them, "You should perform penance for 27 years because without Goddess Bhagwati—Parvati or Mother Uma—the world is incomplete. You must perform penance to have her."
Gurudev:
So, they began their penance. After 27 years of penance, they received a boon from Lord Brahma. They had asked for a hundred sons and one daughter. Brahma blessed them, saying they would have a hundred sons and one daughter. One of those hundred sons was Mainak, and the daughter who was born was named Parvati or Uma. Do you understand? This is how Uma or Parvati was born. Later, Lord Shiva married Parvati. Mainak Parvat was Parvati's first brother and Shiva's brother-in-law. This is his identity.
Gurudev:
It is said that in those days, every mountain had wings. They could fly wherever they wanted. When the living beings complained to Indra, saying, "Indra, you are the supreme power. How can we live in peace? These mountains can fly and could land on us at any time," Indra listened and decided, "I will cut off the wings of every mountain so they can no longer fly." Indra began cutting off the wings. As soon as Mainak heard this, he hid under the sea. He went deep into the ocean where Indra could not find him, so his wings were not cut. Mainak still has wings and possesses the power to expand his body at will.
Gurudev:
While Mainak was under the sea, many sages also lived there. Many great practitioners of that time took refuge on Mainak Parvat. Once, Hanumanji made a vow at Mahendra Parvat to travel south.
Disciple:
He would travel over the southern sea?
Gurudev:
Yes, he would cross the southern sea to reach Lanka. He told the monkeys, "Listen, I will jump from Mahendra Parvat and reach Lanka in one leap." Whether you call him Kesari or Hanumanji, he traveled with the speed of the wind.
Disciple:
But why was he going, Gurudev?
Gurudev:
He was going to search for Sita in Lanka. He promised Lord Ram, "Lord, do not be troubled. Do not give up food or sleep. I will bring you news. But give me some token that Sita Devi can recognize as yours." So, Ram gave Hanumanji a ring. He said if he showed the ring, Sita would recognize it. Hanumanji then told the monkeys, "I am going directly to Lanka by air today. If anyone tries to stop me, I will not listen. I will go to Lanka first; if I don't find Sita Devi, I will go to heaven. If I don't find her there, I will bring Lanka itself, along with Ravana, back to Lord Ram." This was his vow.
Gurudev:
When he jumped from Mahendra Parvat and began his flight, the sea said to Mainak, "Mainak, the son of Kesari, the messenger of Ram, is coming. He is traveling through the air. Lift your head high. Rise up so that he can take some rest on you. Arrange some food and water for him." So, Mainak Parvat rose up, and his peak looked like it was made of gold. He rose quite high out of the water. Hanumanji, seeing something blocking his path, struck Mainak Parvat with his chest. He asked, "Who are you? I am going in search of Sita to Lanka. Who are you to block me?"
Disciple:
At that time, he didn't know it was Mainak Parvat.
Gurudev:
No, I am telling you. He didn't know anything about Mainak Parvat. When the mountain rose at the command of the sea, who said, "Someone is coming, the messenger of Ram, Hanumanji. He is going to Lanka. Let him sit on your head for a while and provide him with fruits so he can rest and eat," Hanumanji struck him with his chest. Mainak Parvat was pushed down. He asked, "Lord, who are you?" Hanumanji replied, "I am the messenger of Ram, going to find Sita. Why are you blocking me?" Mainak said, "Lord, I won't get a better time than this. I will never find you again. That's why I lifted my head and offered you fruits. Please rest for a while and then go." Hanumanji said, "I have given my word to the monkeys and Lord Ram that I will not rest. So, do not be offended. I will come and rest here another day, but for now, let me go to my work." Mainak was satisfied and bowed to him. Hanumanji then went straight to Lanka. Since he had promised the monkeys and Lord Ram that he wouldn't stop until he saw Sita, he would have searched heaven, earth, or the underworld if necessary.
Gurudev:
He eventually found Sita Devi and showed her Lord Ram's ring. Sita Devi was relieved to know that Ram was nearby. Hanuman told her, "I will take you back to Lord Ram very soon." After their conversation, Sita Devi was reassured.
Gurudev:
Mainak Parvat then went back under the sea. Later, the battle between gods and demons began. An agreement was reached to churn the ocean—the Samudra Manthan—and divide whatever came out equally. But to churn the ocean, a rod was needed. Mainak Parvat said, "Use me as the rod." Then, the serpent king offered himself to be the rope. Mainak Parvat was used as the rod, and the great serpent Vasuki was used as the rope to churn the ocean.
Gurudev:
It was agreed that the gods and demons would share what came out. First, gems and jewels came out, which were set aside. Then, poison came out. No one—neither gods nor demons—wanted to take the poison, as it would spread across the world. Then, Lord Shiva said, "I will consume the poison." He took all the poison and drank it, which made him very ill. Goddess Parvati came and offered him her milk, which relieved Shiva's pain. This is mentioned in the Puranas.
Gurudev:
After that, the Amrit (nectar of immortality) appeared. Indra saw that if the demons drank it, they would become immortal. He believed it should only be for the gods. So, Mahalakshmi was sent to take the pot of Amrit and bring it back. As she was flying through the air with the pot, the demons chased her to get it. She first placed the pot in Allahabad (Prayag), where the Kumbh Mela is held. When she placed it there, some Amrit spilled out. She quickly wiped it with her hand and applied it to her body. This is why the Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in Allahabad. Then she traveled to Nashik, Haridwar, and Ujjain—placing the pot in four places.
Gurudev:
So, Mainak Parvat has great importance in the Puranas. He is the son of the Himalayas, the brother of Parvati, and the brother-in-law of Lord Shiva. This is the history of Mainak Parvat.
Disciple:
Gurudev, as you said, Mainak Parvat is the son of the Himalayas, who married Maina, Daksha's granddaughter, and after 27 years of penance, they were blessed with 100 sons and a daughter. Mainak was the first son, and Parvati was the first daughter.
Gurudev:
Yes, that is the story of her birth.
Disciple:
Friends, today you heard from Gurudev about Mainak Parvat. This is a part of the Puranas. Mainak appears in two major instances: once when Hanumanji was going to Lanka, and Mainak rose to offer him refuge, and another when he served as the rod for the Samudra Manthan.
Gurudev:
Yes, that's right.
Disciple:
Gurudev, we wanted to know about Mainak Parvat for a long time. It was great to hear it from you. If you know more such stories, please tell us in the future. Friends, today we conclude this episode by offering our respects to the Mother and Father at Shanti Kunj and to Gurudev. Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam, pranam.