The Story of Hanuman Eating Sun

Story of Hanuman eating sun is a very popular among kids. It is also an important event in the Hindu scriptures as a result of which Hanuman received numerous boons. So Did Hanuman Really Eat the Sun? No Hanuman only attempted to eat the sun.

Hanuman was a very naughty child. Along with his naughtiness, Hanumanji was also a voracious eater. One day when He was one year old; Anjana, his mother, took him to the riverside and allowed him to play on the banks while she was having a bath.

Hanuman indulged in numerous pranks and then climbed trees on the riverbank and ate all the fruits. But the fruits did not suffice his hunger. Then suddenly he saw the orange-colored sun slowly rising in the sky.

Hanuman thought this was some exceptional new big fruit and called out to his mother to come out and have a look at the fruit.

Anjana thought it might be some fruit on a tree and allowed him to go for it.

Hanuman immediately darted towards the sun. He soared up to the sky toward the sun.

Anjana who came out of the waters saw her little baby flying towards the sun. She called her husband Kesari who could only watch in dismay.

Vayu, the wind god, was following him to protect him from the heat.

The day happened to be the solar eclipse day and Rahu was slowly moving to swallow the sun. Hanuman thought Rahu was some huge worm that was blocking his way and dashed towards it. Rahu fled and took refuge at the feet of Indra. He told Indra that a monkey was stopping him from his duty.

Indra took his thunderbolt and rode on his elephant Airavata and attempted to stop Hanuman.

But Hanuman attempted to get hold of the elephant. This angered Indra who hit Hanuman on his cheeks with his thunderbolt.

The impact of the thunderbolt made Hanuman unconscious. He was caught by Vayu, who took him down to earth.

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What happened after Hanuman was struck by Indra's thunderbolt

Sankashti Chaturthi May 2014 date – Ganesh Sankatahara Chaturti Monthly Fasting in May Month in 2014

Sankashti Chaturthi, or Ganesh Sankatahara Chaturti, is a monthly fasting dedicated to Hindu God Ganesh. Sankashti Chaturthi May 2014 date is May 17, Saturday and the Chandrodaya or Moon rise time is 9:39 PM.

Ganesha devotees observe Sankashta Chaturti day from sunrise till the sighting of the moon. The day falls on the fourth day during the waning phase of moon or Krishna Paksha in a Hindu lunar month.

Fasting on Sankashti day is believed help in attaining peace, prosperity and knowledge. The fast is mainly observed in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The day is known as Sankatahara Chaturti in Tamil Hindu culture.

The importance of Sankashta Chaturthi Vrata is found in the Narasimha and Bhavishaya Puranas. The greatness of the Vrata was explained by Lord Krishna to Yudhishtira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers.

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How to observe Ganesh Sankashti Chaturthi?

God is one's very own. It is an eternal relationship - Holy Mother Sarada Devi Teachings

Can you call him a man who is devoid of compassion? He is a veritable beast.

From desire this body comes into being. When there is no desire at all, the body falls away. With complete cessation of desire there comes the final end.

God is one's very own. It is an eternal relationship.

One must perform work. It is only through work that the bondage of work will be cut asunder and one will acquire a spirit of non-attachment. 

If my son wallows in the dust or mud, it is I who have to wipe all the dirt and take him on my lap.

Holy Mother Sarada Devi

Today’s Hindu Calendar – April 19, 2014 – Tithi, Vrat, Good Time, Nakshatra, Rashi and Festival

Tithi in Hindu Calendar on April 19, 2014 (Today) – Krishna Paksha Chaturthi Tithi or the fourth day during the waning phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in all places. It is Krishna Paksha Chaturthi Tithi or the fourth day during the waning phase of moon till 8:52 AM on April 19. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Panchami Tithi or the fifth day during the waning phase of moon. All time based on India Standard Time.

Nakshatra – Jyeshta or Kettai or Triketta Nakshatra till 9:07 PM. Then onward it is Mool or Moolam Nakshatram.

Rashi or Moon Sign – Vrishika Rasi till 9:07 PM. Then onward it is Dhanu Rashi.

Festivals, Vrat and Auspicious days – 

Kali Yuga Year – 5116

Vikram Samvant 2071 – Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Chaturthi Tithi or the fourth day during the waning phase of moon in Vaishakh month in North India - Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir.

Jayanama Samvatsar/ Shalivahana Saka 1936 – Chaitra Krishna Paksha Chaturthi Tithi or the fourth day during the waning phase of moon in Chaitra month in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa.

Vikram Samvant 2070 – Chaitra Krishna Paksha Chaturthi Tithi or the fourth day during the waning phase of moon in Chaitra month in Gujarat.

6th day of Chithirai Masam in Tamil Calendar followed in Tamil Nadu. (Jaya Year)

6th day of Meda Masam in Malayalam Calendar in Kerala. (Kolla Varsham 1189)

5th day of Baishakh Month in Calendars followed in Assam and Bengal. (Bengali Year 1421)

Bad Period on April 19, 2014

Rahukalam – 9:14 AM to 10:51 AM

Yamagandam – 2:00 PM to 3:34 PM

Gulikai – 6:03 AM to 7:38 AM

Durmuhurtham – 6:04 AM to 7:47 AM

Varjyam – 3:12 AM to 4:46 AM

Good Time on April 19, 2014

Abhijita Muhurta – 11:57 AM to 12:51 PM

Amirta Kalam – 12:21 PM to 1:57 PM

Yog – Variyan (Bad Yog) till 12:06 AM. Then onward it is Parigha (Bad Yog).

Karana – Balava (Good) till 8:41 AM. Then onward it is Kaulava (Good) till 7:46 PM. Then onward it is Taitila (Good).

Rest all hours that are not part of Bad Period are Good time. When bad period overlaps into good period, that much time of bad period should be eliminated from good period.

Vetala in Hinduism – About Vetalas in Hindu Religion

Vetala is a very powerful semi-demonic being in Hinduism. In Hindu religion, they are also worshipped in some temples. As per Hindu scriptures, Vetalas are attendants of Virabhadra – the fierce being that was created by Shiva. They have numerous magical powers.

It is also believed that Vetalas are subordinates to Hindu deities like Goddess Kali, Hanuman, Ganesha and Virabhadra.

Some scriptures mention that Vetalas fought along with Mother Goddess Durga against the demons. They help the numerous manifestations of the Goddess Shakti in their fight against the demons.

It is believed that Vetalas reside in corpse and they are offered wine, meat, and similar food items.

Some people propitiate Vetala to find hidden treasures and to cause harm to enemies. It is believed that Vetalas can find treasures and they can also possess the mind and body of a person and cause harm.

The most popular stories of Vetala are found in the Pancavismati Katha – stories of Vikramaditya and Vetala. In these stories Vetala are intelligent beings.

Two Scholars on a Mission to Encourage Women Learn Vedas

Mysore-based Samveda Mahamandala President K.R. Manjunatha Shrouthy and Upapradhan Acharya of Acharyakulam (Haridwar) Krishna Bhatt are on a mission to encourage women learn the Vedas. The two scholars are fighting the false belief that women cannot learn Vedas.

The Hindu reports 

Contrary to the popular belief that women are prohibited from learning the Vedas, here are two scholars who are on a mission to encourage women in mastering them. Speaking to The Hindu, Mysore-based Samveda Mahamandala President K.R. Manjunatha Shrouthy said not a single word was mentioned in the Vedas prohibiting woman from learning them.

“It is a misconception that reciting mantras from Vedas would affect child-bearing. In fact, there are some mantras like those found in Tandya Brahmana which should be recited by only women,” he pointed out.

Upapradhan Acharya of Acharyakulam (Haridwar) Krishna Bhatt taught the Rig Veda to his wife after their marriage. 

“She did her Masters and M. Phil after marriage. She mastered the Vedas as well. I can proudly say that we are the only ghanapati [expert] couple in the entire country who recite Rig Veda,” he said.

Swami Sivananda on Death

Death is nothing. It is the conception of death which haunts you. As there are changes in your body childhood, youth, etc., - death is but a natural stage of passing from one receptacle to another.

Once man becomes convinced of the nature of death, that death is not annihilation or destruction, but only a change — a wonderful strength is infused in us.

This distinction of the body in reality is only like an ordinary change of the four seasons in the same year.

This assurance that death is nothing but a mere change, gives a great fearlessness

and courage to mankind and for this message of fearlessness and for this method of attaining that stage — for the solution of the problem of death, mankind has to be eternally grateful to the Bhagavad Gita.
Swami Sivananda