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Showing posts from October 6, 2017


Why Rukmi Did Not Participate in the Mahabharata War?

Rukmi, the brother of Rukmini, wife of Sri Krishna did not participate in the Mahabharata war. He along with Balarama (elder brother of Sri Krishna) were the two important warriors of the era who did not partake in the 18-day Kurukshetra war. Rukmi did not participate in the war because he was rejected by Pandavas and Kauravas. Who was Rukmi and His Weakness Rukmi was the son of King Bhishmaka and the ruler of Vidarbha. His downfall was his boastful character. Arjuna Rejects Rukmi For the preparation of the impending war, Arjuna visited Krishna at Dwarka. Rukmi who was present there thought that Arjuna desperately wanted the help of Krishna because he was afraid of Kauravas. Rukmi told Arjuna that he had a great bow in his possession which was blessed by the Devas and with him, on his side, Arjuna need not worry about the end result of the war. Arjuna did not like the boastfulness of Rukmi. The brother-in-law of Krishna had indirectly hinted that Arjuna was afraid of

Story of Thousand Headed Ravana

We are all familiar with the ten-headed Ravana in Ramayana. But there is a story of Ravana with thousand heads in the Adbhuta Ramayana - Shakti Tantric version of Ramayana. The thousand-headed Ravana is the brother of Ravana that Sri Ram killed in the Valmiki Ramayana. Smile of Mata Sita Thousand-Headed Ravana was the king of Pushkara Island. As per Adbhuta Ramayana, when Sri Ram kills ten-headed Ravana, all the Rishis praised Him. Mata Sita only smiled. When Sri Ram wanted to know why his killing of Ravana did not impress Mata Sita, She mentions about the thousand-headed Ravana. Sri Ram Fights Thousand-Headed Ravana Sri Ram immediately departs to the Pushkara Island to fight the brother of Ravana. But in the battle, Sri Ram is pierced by an arrow of thousand-headed Ravana and he falls unconscious. Fierce Form of Mata Sita Mata Sita then assumes the fierce form of Mother Goddess Shakti. From Her appears a thousand matrikas (mother goddesses) and they create havoc in t

Benefits of Vayu Mudra

Vayu Mudra is one of the important mudras in Hinduism. Practicing mudras have numerous benefits especially health related. They are good for both body and mind as per Hindu scriptures. Vayu Mudra is practiced by bending the index finger against the upper portion of the thumb. The thumb is pressed lightly on the index finger. The other three fingers are extended in a relaxed manner. Health Benefits of Vayu Mudra includes Relief in breathing problems Control of flatulence. Sensation of fullness and relief to body parts Helps in controlling the shivering of hands Relief to gout, sciatica and rheumatism. Relief to throat and head related illnesses. 

Jatoli Mandir near Solan – One of the Tallest Shiva Temples in The World

Jatoli Shiva Temple at Jatoli near Solan in Himachal Pradesh is believed to be one of the tallest Shiva Temples in the world. The temple is located atop a hill and is around 7 km from Solan town. The temple structure is inspired by the Dravidian architecture of South India. It is an ornate temple with four Shikharas. The main shikhara (vimana) of the temple is 111 feet high. Legend has it that Lord Shiva had appeared on the spot where the present temple is constructed. Later a Siddh Baba (wandering monk) came and performed penance here. The temple was constructed based on his instructions. The Shivling worshiped in the temple is found in a cave in which the Siddha Baba used to meditate. The temple attracts a huge crowd during Shivratri. The other auspicious days include Monday, Pradosh, and Chaturdashi. Shravan month is observed with great enthusiasm here.

Samsara – That Which Is Ever Changing

It is impossible to find the eternal in that which is changing. Just as it is impossible to roll the sky like a skin or a cloth, so also it is impossible to become joyful and ever satisfied, not knowing or realizing the atman, which is eternal and indestructible in nature. Interestingly, the very term for ‘world’ in Sanskrit is ‘that which is ever changing’ (‘samsara’—sam sarati iti samsara). Life is part of this samsara or phenomenal world. We have got into this world of impermanence, i.e., we are born and naturally experience all the travails, trials and changes life carries with it. But then this life should not be spent off in these vain pursuits; we should seek the Permanent, the Eternal and that is what makes for truly fulfilling life. Only when there is some purity of mind, some selflessness dawning in the mind that man begins to ask these questions and seek the truly permanent. The path to seeking the eternal, however, starts from where we are — feeling, feeling the n