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Showing posts from November 8, 2017


Why Shiva Drank Poison? – Will He Drink the Poison Again – Symbolism and the Story to save the Universe

Shiva drank the poison Halahala to save the universe from destruction. The poison had appeared during the  Churning of Ocean  (Samudra Manthan) to get Amrita (elixir of life). There is a hidden symbolism behind the story of saving the world. Will Shiva drink the poison of human greed that is destroying the world? Why Shiva Drank Poison? While the ocean of milk was being churned by the Devas (demigods) and Asuras (demons) using  Snake Vasuki  as rope, the first thing to appear was dark sticky foam. It was the dreaded poison Halahala, which had the power to destroy the universe. The poison started emitting fumes and soon started to spread in water and air. Lord Shiva soon realized that the poison had the power to destroy the cosmos and immediately gathered the poisonous foam in his hands and drank it to save the world. Goddess Parvati, got alarmed about the safety of her husband Lord Shiva, caught hold of his neck to avoid poison from entering His body. The poison remained

Symbolic Meaning of Saranam in the Chant Swami Saranam Dedicated To Lord Ayyappa

Swami Saranam is a mantra repeated often by Ayyappa devotees visiting the sacred Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. Swamiyee Sharana Ayyappa is the most favorite prayer of most devotees. The general meaning that is assumed of Swami Saranam is that everything depends on Ayyappa – Saranam means give me refuge so that all problems are solved at His feet. There is also a symbolic meaning to Saranam – The ‘Sha’ syllable stands for help from Ayyappa to defeat all human fallacies like ego, jealousy, avarice, anger etc. ‘Ra’ syllable stands for attaining knowledge of the Supreme Being or the knowledge that leads to Moksha. ‘nam’ syllable stands for peace – deep silence where there is no two. Related The 18 steps at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple - Symbolism and Significance Did you know? Difference between Sastha and Ayyappa Sastha or Shastavu or Shasta is one among the numerous names of Ayyappa worshipped at the famous  Sabarimala   Ayyappa   Temple

How Devavrata Became Bhishma in the Mahabharata? - Previous Name And Story of Bhishma Pitamaha

Bhishma Pitamaha is the great grandfather of Pandavas and Kauravas in the Mahabharata. He was born as Devavrata and later he came to be known as Bhishma – the one who takes the most terrible vow. King Shantanu, the father of Devavrata, had fallen in love with Satyavati, a fisherwoman. Satyavati had a precondition to accepting King Shantanu’s proposal. She wanted only her children to inherit the throne of Hastinapur. Shantanu was not ready to accept this condition, as he did not want to be unfair to his first son Devavrata. King Shantanu remained unhappy and his mental state reflected in the affairs of the state. On learning the cause of his father’s unhappiness, Devavrata met Satyavati and promised her that he will renounce his claim to the throne. Satyavati was impressed with this decision. But her father had doubts regarding Devavrata’s children making claim to the throne. Devavrata then took a terrible vow – he promised not to marry, not to have any kind of physi

Jaimini – Author of Mimamsa Sutra – Received Sama Veda from Sage Vyasa

Jaimini, the author of Mimamsa Sutra (Purva Mimansa philosophy), was born in present day Deoband and was the student of Badarayana Vyasa – author of Brahmasutras – an important Holy Scripture in Hinduism. When Vyasa divided the Vedas, the portion of Sama Veda was taught to Jaimini. He is believed to have lived during 2 nd Century B C. Jaimini in Vishnu Purana As per Vishnu Purana, he was the disciple of Vyasa Parasaraya and Guru of Pashupindya. The Purana also mentions that he was the man who received the revelation of Sama Veda. Jaimini in Srimad Bhagavad Purana He is mentioned as one of the four disciples of Vyasa. Thus when Vyasa divided the Vedas into four parts, aimini received the Sama Veda. As per Ashvalayana Shrauta Sutra , Jamini belonged to the lineage of Sage Bhrigu. Jaimini in Mahabharata He was invited to the Rajasuya Sacrifice by Yudhishtira, the eldest of the Pandavas. He was considered an authority on Yoga and Vedas. As per the epic, Hiranyabha was