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Showing posts from May 17, 2017


Story Of Shadgarbhas

The story of Shadgarbhas is mentioned in the Vishnu Parva of Harivamsa. They were the six sons of demon Kalanemi. They performed intense austerities and pleased Brahma who gave them the boon that they will not be killed by living beings, through curse, by demigods, or by divine beings. Hiranyakashipu who was against the gods were not pleased Shadgarbhas propitiating Brahma who was born from the navel of Vishnu. He cursed the Shadgarbhas that their father Kalanemi will kill them all. Shadgarbhas then took refuge underwater and stayed there to be born on earth. Eons later, Kalanemi was born as Kamsa. Kamsa decided to kill the children of Devaki.  Vishnu used this as an opportunity to give moksha to Shadgarbhas. He went underwater, took away the breath of life from Shadgarbhas, and handed it over to Goddess Nidra. She implanted them in progressive order in the womb of Devaki. All the six Shadgarbhas were killed on birth by Kamsa. They then attained Moksha.

Bargad Puja – Savitri Puja

Bargad Puja is observed on the Amavasya day in Jyeshta month as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India . It is also known as Savitri Puja and Vat Amavasya Puja. It is observed for the long life of husband and also for peace and prosperity in the family. In 2023, Bargad Puja date is May 19. The main rituals involve tying cotton thread on Banyan tree. While tying the thread, women sing songs based on the famous Satyavan – Savitri episode in the Mahabharat. A fast is observed on the day from sunrise to sighting of moon or evening puja. During the period of Mahabharata, Savitri, lost her husband as destined, one year after her marriage, near a banyan tree. She followed Yama to the land of the dead and through determination and intelligence managed to secure back her husband's life. In memory of that event, women go around the banyan trees, tying strings to it. The puja also observed on Jyeshta Purnima day and is known as Vat Purnima. This date is more p

Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain

Sandipani Ashram is located on banks of Shipra River near the Mangalnath Temple in Ujjain. As per Purana, Lord Krishna, Balaram and Sudama (Kuchela), studied here in the Ashram of kulaguru Sandipani. Ankapata located near the ashram is believed to be the place used by Lord Krishna for washing his writing tablets. Numerals 1-100 engraved on stone found here was created by Guru Sandipani. There is also a deformed Nandi in the temple premises. The Shiva Temple located in the ashram is unique as a nag is shown crawling by the side of the lingam. The sacred tank located here is known as Gomti Kund. It is believed that Krishna summoned all holy rivers and filled the kund with their waters so that his guru need not travel to distant places on pilgrimage. It is believed that Vallabhacharya delivered a discourse under a banyan tree located in the ashram.

Only In Man Does Activity Become Experience – Swami Nityasthananda

Material growth takes place by adding something from outside; but the growth of life is always from inside — it is a manifestation of inner potentialities. When we consider man’s growth and development, it means the real inner man coming forth and expressing himself in every dimension of his life. Only in man does activity become experience. Man must live consciously, with full awareness of what is going on around and within him. This alone will help him to gain mastery over himself. Self-control and self-awareness always go together. When we consciously control ourselves—our senses, desires, negative emotions, thoughts, etc., as a natural corollary our self-awareness will increase.  – Swami Nityasthananda