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MALUR SRI BALAMBIKA TEMPLE Address: Maruthi Extension 2nd stage, Kasaba Hobli, Malur Taluk, Kolar District, Karnataka - India Website : http://malurbalambikatemple.com Email : contactus@malurbalambikatemple.org Instagram: balambikadivyasangam
Issue 8 | Volume 15 | December 2025 Balavin Kural
Kshetra Varalaru series: "Sri Nainadevi temple - Shakthi Peetam at Himachal Pradesh", by Smt. Indumathi Om Gurubyo Namah Sri Balambika Charanam Today we are going to see another Shakthi peetam in Bilaspur, Himachal pradesh. Here, Ambal is called Naina Devi. Nainital, a hill station, is named after Her. It is believed that Ambal's eye fell here. Hence, Her name Naina Devi. In this temple, 2 big eyes in the sanctum sanctorum are worshiped. The temple is at a height of 1200 m. So, we can reach there only by cable car or by steps. It is a beautiful scenic place. On one side, there is a lake named Govinda sagar. Bhakra Nangal dam can also be seen from here. All 4 Navaratris are celebrated in a grand manner. Image courtesy https://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/09/ naina-devi-temple-himachal-pradesh.html
What's inside:
Cultural Connect: "Aitareya Upanishad" The Aitareya Upanishad, contained in the Rig Veda, is structured across three adhyãyas (chapters). It elaborates on three core philosophical concepts: Creation of the world and man by the Atman (Universal Self). Who is the cause of creation? Who is the creator? Who is the controller? Who is the nurturer? These and other enquiries have been settled decisively in this Upanishad. The threefold birth of the Atman in any man: at a child's birth, when the child achieves "Selfhood" (equaling the parent), and when the parent dies and the Atman transmigrates. That Consciousness (Prajñā) is the essence of Atman, defining man and serving as the source of all intellectual and moral theories, gods, and living beings. The Upanishad asserts that one's own inner self is the key to the riddle of the Universe. Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aitareya_Upanishad https://www.baps.org/Article/2011/ The-Aitareya-Upanishad-2074.aspx Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass,ISBN978-81-208-1468-4, pages 13–20
Here are powerful wealth-enhancing stories from the Mahabharata that are traditionally associated with prosperity, rise in fortune, resource management, and divine blessings. Each story also carries a practical wealth lesson that can be applied in our real life. 1. Sudama & Krishna story – Wealth Through Devotion and Humility. Sudama, a poor Brahmin and childhood friend of Lord Krishna, visits Dwarka with nothing but flattened rice (aval) as an offering. Krishna joyfully accepts it with immense love. Without Sudama asking for anything, Krishna blesses him silently. When Sudama returns home, his hut has transformed into a palace of abundance. Wealth Teaching: Wealth flows when ego is absent. Pure intention attracts prosperity. Giving with love multiplies wealth. 2. Draupadi’s Akshaya Patra – The Law of Infinite Supply During exile, Draupadi prays to Krishna when sages demand food after the vessel is empty. Krishna eats one last grain, and instantly the Akshaya Patra overflows again feeding thousands. Wealth Teaching: Even one grain of gratitude can unlock unlimited supply. Scarcity dissolves when faith replaces fear. Divine abundance activates after responsible effort. 3. Kubera & the Lost Prosperity – Burning One’s Own Wealth. Kubera, once extremely charitable, becomes greedy. His wealth declines. He realizes that wealth must circulate, not stagnate. By resuming charity and devotion to Lord Vishnu, his prosperity returns. Wealth Teaching: Hoarding blocks financial flow. Charity keeps wealth alive and multiplying. Attachment destroys abundance. Wealth Rule: “What you block, you lose. What you circulate, you multiply.” 4. Karna – The Wealth That Escaped Through Over-Giving Karna donates everything, even his divine armor to Indra. Though spiritually great, he lost material protection, leading to downfall. Wealth Teaching: Charity without discernment leads to poverty. Wealth must be protected as well as shared. Boundaries are essential for financial survival. Key Rule: Charity must be done with wisdom + capacity, not emotional guilt. 5. Yudhishthira & the Rajasuya Yagna – Wealth Through Dharma When Yudhishthira performs the Rajasuya Yagna by following dharma, the entire kingdom prospers—rainfall, crops, trade, and gold increase. Wealth Teaching: Wealth built on ethics lasts for generations. Righteous leadership attracts abundance automatically Dharma is the root currency of prosperity. 6. The Khandava Forest & Maya Sabha – Wealth from Skill & Innovation After helping Maya, the Pandavas receive the Maya Sabha, a palace of illusion and unmatched beauty. It symbolizes wealth created by knowledge, not inheritance. Wealth Teaching: Skills create more wealth than luck. Innovation attracts high-value prosperity Intellectual wealth never declines. Balambika Charanam Image courtesy: https://panditsuryaji.wordpress.com/
Devotee Speaks: "Mahabharata and Wealth teachings", by Smt. Roopa V Rajan
Know your Mythology: "Lord Sri Krishna | The Sweetness of the Peel", by Thulasinathan Kandasamy The royal kitchens of Hastinapura were thick with the aroma of saffron, ghee, and exotic spices. Prince Duryodhana, in his arrogance, had commanded a feast of Chappan Bhog, fifty-six varieties of delicacies—to dazzle the peace messenger, Lord Krishna. The golden plates were set, and the palace walls hummed with the anticipation of a royal banquet. But the Lord of the Universe, who hungers only for love, turned away from the marble halls. "One eats at another's table only when in need, or when invited with affection," Krishna told the Prince gently. "You have no love, Duryodhana, and I have no need." Leaving the bewildered prince behind, Krishna walked the dusty path to the humble cottage of Vidura, the Prime Minister. Vidura was not home, but his wife, the pious Sulabha, opened the door. When she saw the dark-skinned Lord standing in the frame of her simple doorway, holding the universe in his smile, time seemed to stop for Sulabha. She was overcome by a wave of Bhakti so powerful it drowned her senses. Her hands trembled, her breath hitched; the King of Kings was in her hut. She sat Him on a wooden plank and frantically searched for an offering. She found only a bunch of bananas. Sitting at His feet, she began to peel the fruit. But her eyes were locked on Krishna’s face—that radiant, compassionate face that seemed to contain the moon and stars. She was so lost in the ocean of His beauty that her hands forgot their duty. In her trance, she threw the sweet white fruit onto the floor and offered the bitter, fibrous yellow peels to the Lord. And Krishna? He ate. He accepted the peels with the delight of a child. He chewed them slowly, relishing them as if they were the rarest nectar of the heavens, for they were seasoned with a spice not found in Duryodhana’s kitchen: pure, unadulterated love. In the midst of this divine trance, a strange mist seemed to settle over Sulabha’s vision. As she handed Him another peel, Krishna’s form shimmered. For a fleeting heartbeat, the dark face of the Lord vanished, replaced by the white, noble visage of Lord Nandi. Sulabha blinked, her mind floating in a haze. ‘Why is Lord Nandi, the Great Bull, eating these peels?’ she wondered innocently, her logic suspended. It seemed only natural that the Divine Bull would enjoy the rough fodder. But as quickly as the thought arrived, the mist cleared. The face of Krishna returned, his eyes twinkling with a secret amusement, and the memory of Nandi dissolved like morning dew. She simply continued to feed Him, soul to soul. Suddenly, the entrance door creaked open. Vidura, rushing in with a face full of joy at the news of Krishna’s arrival, stopped dead in his tracks. His smile vanished, replaced by horror. "Sulabha!" he cried out, his voice shattering the silence. "What madness is this? You are feeding the Lord garbage while throwing the fruit away!" Sulabha snapped out of her ecstasy. She looked down at the pile of white fruit on the floor and the empty peels in Krishna’s hand. Mortified, tears stung her eyes. Vidura rushed forward, snatched a fresh banana, and offered it to Krishna, apologizing profusely. Krishna took the fruit and took a bite. He chewed it thoughtfully, then shook his head with a gentle smile. "Vidura," the Lord said softly, "This fruit is good. But it is merely a fruit." He looked at Sulabha with infinite kindness. "It does not taste as sweet as the peels your wife fed me. For the peels were steeped in love, and the fruit is only steeped in nature. I do not hunger for what you give me, Vidura; I hunger for how you give it." In that humble hut, amidst the scent of discarded bananas, Vidura—who was Dharma incarnate—realized the eternal truth once more: The Lord does not look at the object in the hand, but at the feeling in the heart. Image courtesy: https://naadopaasana.wordpress.com/ 2020/07/17/viduras-wife-her-devotional-offering/
Devotee Speaks: "Mahabharata and Wealth teachings", by Smt. Roopa V Rajan Here are powerful wealth-enhancing stories from the Mahabharata that are traditionally associated with prosperity, rise in fortune, resource management, and divine blessings. Each story also carries a practical wealth lesson that can be applied in our real life. 1. Sudama & Krishna story – Wealth Through Devotion and Humility. Sudama, a poor Brahmin and childhood friend of Lord Krishna, visits Dwarka with nothing but flattened rice (aval) as an offering. Krishna joyfully accepts it with immense love. Without Sudama asking for anything, Krishna blesses him silently. When Sudama returns home, his hut has transformed into a palace of abundance. Wealth Teaching: Wealth flows when ego is absent. Pure intention attracts prosperity. Giving with love multiplies wealth. 2. Draupadi’s Akshaya Patra – The Law of Infinite Supply During exile, Draupadi prays to Krishna when sages demand food after the vessel is empty. Krishna eats one last grain, and instantly the Akshaya Patra overflows again feeding thousands. Wealth Teaching: Even one grain of gratitude can unlock unlimited supply. Scarcity dissolves when faith replaces fear. Divine abundance activates after responsible effort. 3. Kubera & the Lost Prosperity – Burning One’s Own Wealth. Kubera, once extremely charitable, becomes greedy. His wealth declines. He realizes that wealth must circulate, not stagnate. By resuming charity and devotion to Lord Vishnu, his prosperity returns. Wealth Teaching: Hoarding blocks financial flow. Charity keeps wealth alive and multiplying. Attachment destroys abundance. Wealth Rule: “What you block, you lose. What you circulate, you multiply.” 4. Karna – The Wealth That Escaped Through Over-Giving Karna donates everything, even his divine armor to Indra. Though spiritually great, he lost material protection, leading to downfall. Wealth Teaching: Charity without discernment leads to poverty. Wealth must be protected as well as shared. Boundaries are essential for financial survival. Key Rule: Charity must be done with wisdom + capacity, not emotional guilt. 5. Yudhishthira & the Rajasuya Yagna – Wealth Through Dharma When Yudhishthira performs the Rajasuya Yagna by following dharma, the entire kingdom prospers—rainfall, crops, trade, and gold increase. Wealth Teaching: Wealth built on ethics lasts for generations. Righteous leadership attracts abundance automatically Dharma is the root currency of prosperity. 6. The Khandava Forest & Maya Sabha – Wealth from Skill & Innovation After helping Maya, the Pandavas receive the Maya Sabha, a palace of illusion and unmatched beauty. It symbolizes wealth created by knowledge, not inheritance. Wealth Teaching: Skills create more wealth than luck. Innovation attracts high-value prosperity Intellectual wealth never declines. Balambika Charanam Image courtesy: https://panditsuryaji.wordpress.com/
Know your Mythology: "Lord Sri Krishna | The Sweetness of the Peel", by Thulasinathan Kandasamy The royal kitchens of Hastinapura were thick with the aroma of saffron, ghee, and exotic spices. Prince Duryodhana, in his arrogance, had commanded a feast of Chappan Bhog, fifty-six varieties of delicacies—to dazzle the peace messenger, Lord Krishna. The golden plates were set, and the palace walls hummed with the anticipation of a royal banquet. But the Lord of the Universe, who hungers only for love, turned away from the marble halls. "One eats at another's table only when in need, or when invited with affection," Krishna told the Prince gently. "You have no love, Duryodhana, and I have no need." Leaving the bewildered prince behind, Krishna walked the dusty path to the humble cottage of Vidura, the Prime Minister. Vidura was not home, but his wife, the pious Sulabha, opened the door. When she saw the dark-skinned Lord standing in the frame of her simple doorway, holding the universe in his smile, time seemed to stop for Sulabha. She was overcome by a wave of Bhakti so powerful it drowned her senses. Her hands trembled, her breath hitched; the King of Kings was in her hut. She sat Him on a wooden plank and frantically searched for an offering. She found only a bunch of bananas. Sitting at His feet, she began to peel the fruit. But her eyes were locked on Krishna’s face—that radiant, compassionate face that seemed to contain the moon and stars. She was so lost in the ocean of His beauty that her hands forgot their duty. In her trance, she threw the sweet white fruit onto the floor and offered the bitter, fibrous yellow peels to the Lord. And Krishna? He ate. He accepted the peels with the delight of a child. He chewed them slowly, relishing them as if they were the rarest nectar of the heavens, for they were seasoned with a spice not found in Duryodhana’s kitchen: pure, unadulterated love. In the midst of this divine trance, a strange mist seemed to settle over Sulabha’s vision. As she handed Him another peel, Krishna’s form shimmered. For a fleeting heartbeat, the dark face of the Lord vanished, replaced by the white, noble visage of Lord Nandi. Sulabha blinked, her mind floating in a haze. ‘Why is Lord Nandi, the Great Bull, eating these peels?’ she wondered innocently, her logic suspended. It seemed only natural that the Divine Bull would enjoy the rough fodder. But as quickly as the thought arrived, the mist cleared. The face of Krishna returned, his eyes twinkling with a secret amusement, and the memory of Nandi dissolved like morning dew. She simply continued to feed Him, soul to soul. Suddenly, the entrance door creaked open. Vidura, rushing in with a face full of joy at the news of Krishna’s arrival, stopped dead in his tracks. His smile vanished, replaced by horror. "Sulabha!" he cried out, his voice shattering the silence. "What madness is this? You are feeding the Lord garbage while throwing the fruit away!" Sulabha snapped out of her ecstasy. She looked down at the pile of white fruit on the floor and the empty peels in Krishna’s hand. Mortified, tears stung her eyes. Vidura rushed forward, snatched a fresh banana, and offered it to Krishna, apologizing profusely. Krishna took the fruit and took a bite. He chewed it thoughtfully, then shook his head with a gentle smile. "Vidura," the Lord said softly, "This fruit is good. But it is merely a fruit." He looked at Sulabha with infinite kindness. "It does not taste as sweet as the peels your wife fed me. For the peels were steeped in love, and the fruit is only steeped in nature. I do not hunger for what you give me, Vidura; I hunger for how you give it." In that humble hut, amidst the scent of discarded bananas, Vidura—who was Dharma incarnate—realized the eternal truth once more: The Lord does not look at the object in the hand, but at the feeling in the heart. Image courtesy: https://naadopaasana.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/ viduras-wife-her-devotional-offering/
Kshetra Varalaru series: "Sri Nainadevi temple - Shakthi Peetam at Himachal Pradesh", by Smt. Indumathi Om Gurubyo Namah Sri Balambika Charanam Today we are going to see another Shakthi peetam in Bilaspur, Himachal pradesh. Here, Ambal is called Naina Devi. Nainital, a hill station, is named after Her. It is believed that Ambal's eye fell here. Hence, Her name Naina Devi. In this temple, 2 big eyes in the sanctum sanctorum are worshiped. The temple is at a height of 1200 m. So, we can reach there only by cable car or by steps. It is a beautiful scenic place. On one side, there is a lake named Govinda sagar. Bhakra Nangal dam can also be seen from here. All 4 Navaratris are celebrated in a grand manner. Image courtesy: https://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2013/09/ naina-devi-temple-himachal-pradesh.html