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Showing posts from October, 2006


Hindu Science Fiction Novels

There have been a few science fiction novels with Hindu theme. I am not sure how many of you have heard about the science fiction ‘Shiva 3000.’ I happened to read it a few years ago. The book was written by Jan Lars Jensen. To be fair it is boring and was a flop. The location is future India and all the Hindu gods are alive. For a change, some gods are bad. Shiva and Jagannath are some sort of villains as they consume the sinners. Since the world is full of sinners, it means wiping out the entire population. Baboon Warrior fights the gods. As the names suggests, this hero has the head of a baboon. He is like local folklore hero. But the hero of the science fiction is Rakesh who wants to kill Baboon Warrior as he stole his bride. Another character is Vasant Alamvala, a royal engineer, who lost his position, and now wants to avenge the person responsible for it. His story has a Kamasutra angle. Rakesh and Vasant join hands to fight Jagannath, a monster invoked

Special Feeding of Ants in Hindu Religion to Get Blessings of Goddess Lakshmi

Feeding of Ants as per Hindu Religion helps in getting the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. This will help in solving financial problems, debts will be cleared and bad luck related to money matters will change to good luck. Take a dried coconut and remove the top portion of it, fill the coconut with various grain powders, sugar and ghee. Close the coconut portion and keep it outside the house near an anthill (or in a place where ants are present). You will see positive change within 21 days in your life. Now many people think this is just a superstition and it will not bring any changes in life. This is not true such processes help in the person connecting with other living beings. This develops positivity and weeds out negativity.  Janam Kundli problems are due to the bad positioning of Navgrahas or the nine planets. This period results in negative and destructing thinking. Such small processes helps in keeping out all kinds of bad thoughts and energy.  Such beliefs ar

Swami Sandeep Chaitanya and his interpretation of Bhagavad Gita

Swami Sandeep Chaitanya’s interpretation of Bhagavad Gita is the interpretation of BhagavadGita by a common man. It is now being telecast (SAMPOORNA GEETHA JNANA YAGNAM) from Monday to Saturday at 2130 (Indian time) in Doordarshan Malayalam (DD4). This is the recorded version of his famous 108 days Geeta Jnana Yagna at Ernakulam. His discourse is simple and he uses examples from daily life to illustrate the unparalleled teachings in the Gita. Current affairs, social satire, stories from other religious texts including Bible and Koran, Mulla jokes and several other sources are used to convey the message of Bhagavad Gita. His 108 days discourse at Ernakulam was attended by people from all walks of life. Most of the days, many people were standing and listening to the discourse. Swamiji’s greatest achievement was that he was able to take Bhagavad Gita to the common man. Teenagers are showing keen interest in Swamiji discourse, which is a rare phenomenon. Swami Sande

Hanuman Statues as Signal Men - Traffic Police Hanuman

Don’t worry this is no new controversy. According to the Archaeological Survey India (ASI), the Hanuman statues in Hampi, Karnataka served as signal men. A precursor to modern day Traffic police. Incidentally, Hanuman is believed to have been born in Hampi. Numerous statues of Lord Hanuman are found in Hampi. Some studies have estimated the number of statues to be more than thousand. The newindipress reports: Over a thousand statues of ‘Hanuman’ are found in the temples of Hampi and surrounding areas. A large number of statues of Hanuman are placed in such a fashion that its hand and facial direction in one statue leads to the next monument in Hampi. Similar statues are also placed at road diversions, towards other places and  river beds of Tungabadhra. Anjanadri Parvat in Hampi is believed to be the birth place of Lord Hanuman. This place finds reference in the kishkinda of the epic Ramayana. 575 steps lead to the top of the hill from where one gets

A true testimony on Understanding Gita and knowing the life of Gandhi

It is very rare that I get to read a good blog on Hinduism. But this blog by Inim Aduos, - no idea what it means - was different. It was a testimony. A true testimony on Understanding Gita and knowing the life of Gandhi. In each word in the article, I could feel the celebration of freedom, which incidentally is the true essence of Hinduism. Some extracts from the blog. (the article was removed from the original source) “Somehow, from the stories my father used to say, I started feeling that there is only one God and you can interpret Him in any way you want and also He is present everywhere; one does not have to go to a temple to see Him. I believed that God is in our hearts and we don’t have to sit down at a particular time and place to pray to Him.”  “Both my parents never insisted that Hinduism was the only way to God. Although Lord Krishna was his devotee, religion was immaterial to my father. Because of this nature of my parents I had the freedom to r

Prasanna’s Electric Ganesha Land

Some of you might be confused about the title of the article – well it is an album by Prasanna. The album was released earlier this year. Now who is Prasanna? Jazz enthusiasts and western music lovers might be aware of this unique talent. For those who have not yet read or heard about him there is a short and crisp biography in allaboutjazz . From the biography: From being a pioneer in bringing the electric guitar to international acclaim as a concert instrument for the ancient Indian art form of Carnatic music, to being a force in the cutting edge of Jazz, Classical and World music, Prasanna continues to stun music enthusiasts with an ever-evolving palette of vocabulary as a composer and improviser. About Electric Ganesha Land from all about jazz Prasanna’s Be the Change (Susila Music, 2003) was a remarkable combination of the South Indian Carnatic tradition with a fusion energy comparable to better-known guitarists like John McLaughlin. Electric Gan

Rev David Hart the Christian Priest Who Converted to Hinduism

Rev David Hart  had created a storm in England and the United States when he converted to Hinduism. It seems the debate has not yet died down. The Hindu newspaper writes (not linking as the site is on https) A controversy has broken out in the U.K. and the U.S. with the media reflecting a debate over an Anglican priest who converted to Hinduism in Kerala where he has now stayed for nearly a year, and where he regularly offers ritual prayers in a temple.  Rev. David Hart, 52, who has a fascination for Lord Ganesha, celebrated Vinayaka Chathurthi in front of his house here last month. Mainstream newspapers, church journals, popular websites and radio stations in the U.K. and the U.S. are now debating the propriety of allowing Rev. Hart to continue his "pluralist religious identity" while remaining a priest of the Church of England. Cranmer writes: (the article was removed from the original source) “One priest, the Rev David Hart, a convert to Hinduism

Book on Bhadrachalam Sri Rama Temple

A multi-colored and pictorial book on the famous Bhadrachalam Sri Rama temple will be brought out by the temple trust. Indian Express reports: The book, titled ‘Sri Bhadrachalam Ramayanam,’ will have art works done by well-known artist Neeli Venkata Ramana.  “The book is in its final stages. Vedic scholars are whetting the manuscript to avoid any possible bloomers,” said temple trust board executive officer V Ramakrishnam Raju. Updated on December 12, 2017. Nothing much was heard about the book. Do not think it was even published and made available to public. May a limited number was printed and might be available on a book store associated with temple on its permises.

On China Made Hindu Idols - Made in China Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Several newspapers during Diwali reported about the Chinese made idols of Hindu gods flooding the Indian market. This made in China idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are very popular. They have shine and glow but inside it is harmful chemicals including lead. Hindustan Times reports "The demand has grown exponentially since last year and people are finding it more attractive than the Indian-made idols," Sharad Goyal of Kriti Creations, a shop in south Delhi 's Khan Market said.  “The usual practice of Chinese manufacturers is to send an expert team to study the Indian market and understand the current trends, especially during the festive season. Armed with the knowledge, they produce in China in bulk what the Indians are looking for, with slight innovations and export them through various channels to this country with a cheaper price tag.” The advantage of Chinese made idols – neat, shiny in appearance and cheap. The end result i

Orkut joins in Diwali

Orkut, google’s online community, has joined in the Diwali celebration. The logo has a festive look but not the traditional Indian look. Instead of diyas it’s the electric lamps. Update: Orkut was very popular in India. It was very popular among Hindus. But sadly, It was shut down on September 30, 2014. Fake profiles and numerous other negative groups led to the death of Orkut. Thoughts Orkut created nostalgic feelings in millions of people. It lost its importance as it was filled with spams. But the social networks that replace it have become monsters that is destroying the person life of people around the world.

A Book of Hindu Deities for Children

“The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow” this is the title of a children’s book written by Sanjay Patel, an animator at Pixar studios. The book explores the various Hindu deities for the children with the help of some wonderful and colorful illustrations. Sanjay Patel to Orlando Sentinel: "I really wanted something an Asian kid like me, growing up in L.A. , could be proud of," says Patel, 32. "Something that wouldn't offend their parents, and that they could share with their non-Indian friends." “The book consists of more than 50 deities, demigods, avatars, mythical planets and epic characters, each with its own caricature and a page of simple text. There are also blessings, a creation narrative and a glossary.” 

Diwali Craft Ideas

It’s true that diyas are available in the market. But the fun and bonding you can get while making it with your family is different. Bigeyedowl has got some excellent craft ideas for Diwali . All craft ideas should be done along with an adult. An Example on how to make Diwali Craft Diya You will need: Self hardening clay Paint Sequins Varnish (optional)  The lamp is made using coils which is simple and fun for the children as most small children can roll out a sausage shape and it introduces spirals.  Take a piece of clay as big as a small apple (or smaller if the child finds this too big to handle). Roll out the clay into a long sausage shape about 1cm thick. Curl it round on itself to form a flat spiral shape about 6cm in diameter, as shown in fig (a). If the sausage breaks just roll out another one and using a dab of water join it on and continue.  Once the base has been made start to build up the sides until you have a small pot about 4cm high, taper off

Understanding Diwali

Diwali or Deepawali or Deepavali literally means 'an array of lamps.’ It signifies the victory of good over evil. On a symbolic level, the removal of spiritual darkness and the ushering in of knowledge capable of removing suffering. Diwali is celebrated according to the Hindu calendar so there is no exact date. It falls approximately mid-October to mid-November. Like most of the Hindu festivals it occurs at the end of a harvest season. Legends: There are several stories associated with Diwali. The most important one is the commemoration of the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Another story is associated with Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth). It is believed that the goddess emerged from the ocean on this day during the samudra manthan (churning of ocean) by demons and gods. So for the business people, the new business year begins on diwali. In South India , it is the day on which Lord Krishna killed the demon Na

Dwindling crow population hampers Hindu ritual

The funerary rites of a dead person is only complete when the person performing the last rites pays offering to a cow, a dog and crow. There are slight variations in this ritual. In South India , especially in Kerala, the offering is only made to a crow. As of now, there is no dearth in the crow population in Kerala. But the situation is different in several cities in North India . Cows and dogs are available readily but not crows. So people pays offering to crow idols. Zeenews reports about the dwindling population of crows in Allahabad : "As a ritual for the ancestors we are supposed to feed a cow, a dog and a crow. Cow and dog are easily available but we could not find a crow. So we had to observe the tradition with the idol of a crow. That will fulfill the absence in the ritual," said Gautam Chandra Golcha, who performed the rituals with the idol of the crow. The reason: "Crows are dwindling because they feed on the animals who feed

The Bloodless Revolution: Radical Vegetarians and the Discovery of India

This is the title of a book written by Tristram Stuart. It talks about the Indian connection in European vegetarianism. From the observer review : Stuart makes clear that the Western encounter with India provided crucial weight to pro-vegetarian arguments. Here was a civil, peaceful, enlightened society successfully fuelled by vegetables, pulses and grains. Such a diet seemed an escape from the corruption, debauchery, pollution and strife in the West. Many conservative Christians mocked the Hindus' quaint belief in transmigration, but the doctrine of non-violence is a guiding ethical principle that manifests itself through abstention from meat.  The story of the reverence and awe in which India was held in certain streams of Western thought is a notable corrective to those who see the history of imperialism as solely the high-handed and brutal imposition of Occidental values on indigenous populations. John Zephaniah Holwell, a survivor of the Black H

Jainism in Gujarat – Origin – History of Jain Religion in Gujarat, India

Jainism is flourishing in Gujarat state of India. Here is a look at the history, origin and development of Jainism in Gujarat. The history begins around 6 th century BC. Jain history in Gujarat can be traced back to the life of the 22 nd Tirthankara Neminatha also known as Arisanemi. He attained nirvana at Mount Girnar in Gujarat. Another important even that is recorded in Jaina history of Gujarat is the meeting of the council of Jaina teachers and followers at Vallabhi after the Nirvana of Mahavira in the 6 th century BC. It is widely believed that Jains migrated from eastern parts of India to western parts of India like present day Gujarat 300 BC. Shatrunjaya Jain Temples Kings, queen, rulers and aristocrats encouraged Jainism in the region. This led to Jainism gaining importance in social, cultural and religious activities of the area. The Chalukya Solanki Kings built Jaina Temples. One of the ancient Jain Temples on Mount Abu was built during the reign of

What is Hukamnama in Sikhism?

Hukamnama are the religious edicts in Sikhism. The meaning of word ‘hukam’ is a divine command. In Sikhism, the Guru’s commands are looked upon as the mandates of God Himself. Thus, the commands of Gurus are Hukamnama. A large number of people follow the daily Hukamnama Sahib from Shri Golden Temple. The available ancient Hukamnamas are: Two by Guru Har Gobind One by Baba Guruditta One by Guru Harkrishan Twenty Two by Guru tegh Bahadur Two by Mata Gujeri Thirty Four by Guru Gobind Singh Two by Banda Bahadur Nine by Mata Sundari Nine by Mata Sahib Kaur. Hukamanamas are also issued by takhts, spiritual and temporal seats of Sikhs. All the Hukamanamas have great religious, political and spiritual significance in Sikhism. An example of a Hukamnama Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, said in his Hukamnama date October 2, 1707: To the entire congregation of Dhaul, you are my Khalsa. The Guru will protect you. Meditate on the Guru. Your human birth will be

Bhubanesvari Temple inside Puri Jagannath Temple in Orissa - Panchashakti Temple

Bhubanesvari Temple inside Puri Jagannath Temple in Orissa is a Shakti Peetah. It is a 16th century shrine. The shrine is situated next to Khirachora Gopinatha temple to the north of the western gateway of the Jagannath Temple. The shrine is also known as Panchashakti Temple as five Goddesses are worshipped in the temple – Bhubanesvari, Saraswati, Gayatri, Savitri and Sashti Devi are worshipped in the temple. Bhubanesvari is also the goddess of learning here and therefore students and artists in large number visit the temple. The shrine is also referred as Saraswati Temple. The east facing sandstone temple has a vimana, jagamohana, natamandapa and bhogamandapa. The main murti of Goddess Bhuvanesvar, which is five feet in height, is installed on a one foot high simhasana or throne. She is seated on a white lotus in padmasana pose. Murti of Goddess Bhubanesvari She has four arms – the right upper hand holds ankusha, the right lower hand diplays varada mudra, the left u

Mantra for Success in Entrance Exam in Hindu Religion

If you are taking various entrance exams like medical and engineering, then the student should offer prayers to Goddess Brahmacharini and chant her special mantra as per Hindu religion. Goddess Brahmacharini is a form of Mother Goddess Durga (Shakti) and she is associated with learning. This is a kind form of Mother Goddess Shakti in Hinduism. Mantra for Success in Entrance Exam ब्रीं ब्रह्मवादिन्यै नमः Brhim Brahmavadineye Namah How to Chant the Mantra? Wake up early in the morning before sunrise. Take bath. Wear white color dress. Offer prayers to Ganesha in mind. Light a lamp using cow ghee. Mediate for few minutes. Chant the mantra 108 times - you can keep the count using a chandan mala.

Story of Stone Cutter – Frog and and Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam

One day a stonecutter was working in the goshala (cowshed) of Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple. He happened to break a black stone and he found a frog inside alive. It was a great wonder to him. He immediately thought that when God could help a frog even within a stone, why he should not also not keep quiet and meditate on Ranganatha without doing any work. He strongly believed that Lord Ranganatha would take care of him. He resigned from the job and started meditating on the banks of Kaveri River overlooking the sanctum sanctorum of the Srirangam Temple. Bhagavan Ranganatha every night went in disguise and gave him prasadam. He was content and happy and after some time he passed away. This happened during the lifetime of Ramanujacharya . When the news of the death of the stonecutter was conveyed to the Acharya he simply said that the Lord’s task was over and he would no longer carry food to the stone cutter. Yet Another Story From Hindu Religion Story Of Sage