Stretching sound is music, Stretching movement is dance, Stretching smile is laughter Stretching the mind is meditation Stretching life is celebration Stretching the devotee is God Stretching feeling is ecstasy Stretching emptiness is bliss Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Only those persons can be true disciplinarians, rulers or leader who have in their temperament the tenderness of a flower and the firmness and hardness of thunderbolt. Mistakes should not be repeated; their repetition hinders the progress, and spiritual strength is debilitated. Balance/equilibrium is the eternal principle of world and life. Balance itself is health. All disorders stem from physical and emotional imbalance, unrestraint, irregularity and extremes. Faith is the attachment of true knowledge and a stepping-stone to supreme peace. Baba Ramdev

Vishnu Puran is one of the most popular Puranas in Hindu Tradition and narrates the important incidents  associated with Hindu God Vishnu. There are a total of 126 chapters in the Purana. Now you can listen to Vishnu Purana in Hindi online for free. The audio is in mp3 format. Link – Listen to Vishnu Purana online in Hindi in mp3 format

Lekhni Puja or Lekhani Pooja is observed on the Basant Panchami day in the eastern parts of India . Lekhni Puja 2024 date is February 14. The rituals on the day are observed mainly in Bengal . Saraswati Puja is also held on the day in these regions. The pujas are observed on noon on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Magha month.

Athirathram is a Vedic yajna, or sacrifice, and is one of the world’s oldest surviving ritual. Athirathram 2011 will be organized from April 4 to April 15, 2011 at Panjal in Thrissur District in Kerala. During the Athirathram, the Vedic rituals and yajnas performed during the period of the Vedic age will be recreated. For 12 days, one will be transported to the era of the Vedas and Upanishads. Today, the knowledge of Athirathram is only preserved by select Namboothiri (Brahmin) families in Kerala. Athirathram invokes the abundance of the Universe through the recital of the all Vedas over 12 days. It is very rarely performed and is an opportunity to learn about how yajnas were conducted during the Vedic period. You can get all information about Athirathram here at the official website.

You must remember that freedom is the first condition of growth. What you do not make free, will never grow... Let men have the light of liberty. That is the only condition of growth. We struggle hard to attain to some goal and then discover we do not want it. This dissatisfaction we are having time after time, and what is there in the mind if there is to be only dissatisfaction? What is the meaning of this universal dissatisfaction? It is because freedom is every man’s goal. He seeks it ever, his whole life is a struggle after it. The child rebels against law as soon as it is born. Its first utterance is a cry, a protest against the bondage in which finds itself. Freedom means independence of anything outside, and that means that nothing outside itself could work upon it as a cause. The soul is causeless, and from this follow all the great ideas that we have. You cannot establish the immortality of the soul, unless you grant that it is by its nature free, or in other words, but it

Vedic technology to produce energy from space and Vedic technology based static alternator, which can produce power by using magnetic power, are developed by HS Sathischandra. NASA is currently studying about the technology to produce energy from space. Gujarat government recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Sathischandra’s organisation to set up the project based on Static alternator. Sathishchandra is the technical advisor to the United Nations (Energy) and the founder of Agrami Foundation. Daily News and Analysis reports The concept found hidden in Vedas “The concept of energy production using space was found hidden in coded form in all four Vedas of ancient India. When decoded, it revealed this concept which allows us to produce energy out of space,” he said. The main component of the revolutionary technology was found in Purushasukta where magnetic field converge into the conductor and the mass is conducted into energy and reused in the process of conduction. How to

In a recent judgement, the Delhi High Court stated that the name Krishna cannot be monopolized by anyone as it is the name of God. The honourable court said this while passing a judgement trademark case filed by two milk food processing companies. The judgement means that anyone company or person cannot name exclusivity to the name Krishna. Law Et Al News writes The suit was filed by Bhole Baba Milk Food Industries against Parul Food Specialties Ltd. claiming exclusivity over the mark Krishna. The petitioner challenging the use of the word by Parul contended that the mark has attained a market reputation to be qualified as a “well known” trademark in terms of section 2(zg) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. The court initially had granted interim stay in favour of the plaintiff. The defendant had moved an application for vacation of interim stay and without prejudice to its rights and contentions, proposed altering the picture used with its trademark “Parul’s Lord Krishna” substantially. Th

Internationally renowned 10th annual UNESCO Brugge Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival in Belgium, which ended on January 16, 2011 displayed sculptures of Hindu God Ganesha and Goddess Kali. The ice sculptors of Ganesha and Kali were included in the Around the World in Snow and Ice theme. The Ice Sculpture Festival is held annually on the Station Square in Bruges, Belgium, during winter and Christmas season (November last week to mid January). 

The face of truth is covered by a pot of gold. – Ishavasya Upanishad Speak the Truth - Taittiriya Upanishad Truth alone Triumphs (Satyameva Jayate ) – Mundaka Upanishad Where speaking a lie protects people's lives, untruth is the truth there, and even a truth can be a falsehood. – Padma Purana Truth is indeed not truth where there is violence. A compassionate untruth alone is the truth there. For truth is only that which benefits people, not what is otherwise. – Devi Bhagavatham

We should always be soft spoken. Sweet speech has the ability to attract one and all. On the contrary, vitriolic speech keeps people away. That is why one should always be soft spoken so that it enhances brotherhood and affection.  (Yajur Veda) One should be cautious not to speak anything that hurts others. Such kind of speech never helps but always brings destruction.  (Rig Veda)

Gauri Teej in Magh month is observed mainly in North India . The rituals on the day are dedicated to Goddess Shakti (Goddess Parvati who is also known as Gowri). Gauri Teej 2024 date is February 12. Teej refers to the third day of the lunar fortnight in a Hindu calendar. Gouri Teej is observed on the third day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Magha Mahina. The rituals on the day are observed for prosperity and peace. The divine couple of Shiva and Parvati are worshipped on the day. An important Gauri Teej is observed in Chaitra month this is believed to be the marriage day of Shiva and Parvati. Gouri Teej is also observed in the month of Vaishakha (May) and Bhadrapad (September).

Swimming in River is a dream which is not very common but is mentioned in many texts that analyze dream and interpret its meaning. In Hinduism there is an ancient text known as Swapna Shastra which gives interpretation and meaning of various dreams. Swimming in River is seen as a positive dream. The meaning of the dream is that the struggles of the person who saw the dream will come to an end soon. It is also an indication to be determined and stay focused. 

Kailasanathar Temple at Uthiramerur in Tamil Nadu is believed to be more than 1,250 years old. The temple dedicated to Shiva had developed serious cracks and was restored by REACH Foundation. Rural Education and Conservation of Heritage (REACH) is involved in the restoration and preservation of the sculptural heritage of India. They have successfully restored numerous ancient temples in Tamil Nadu.  BBC news reports "It was about to collapse completely and there were so many conservation problems because of the growth of thick vegetation on the Vimana or dome of the temple," Dr Sathyamurthy of REACH told the BBC Tamil Service. While the upper part of the temple was in bad shape, the basement and plinth had other serious issues with cracks at more than 20 places in the granite stones according to the archaeologist. Faced with serious technical problems the REACH team turned for advice to the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) a premier engineering institute in Indi

Srimad Bhagavatam narrates the stories of Sri Hari Vishnu and his incarnations. One of the most Puranas, it is believed reading or listening Srimad Bhagavata Purana helps in attaining Moksha or liberation. Now you can listen to entire Srimad Bhagavata Purana in Hindi online. This opportunity is provided by wisdom speak website. Link – Listen to Srimad Bhagavatam Audio online for free here at wisdom speak If the above link is not working you listen to each chapter here at Ved Puran website.

This is a unique ritual observed on the Amavasya day in Magh month in calendars followed in North India . Brahma Savitri Vrat 2024 date is February 9. It is observed on the no moon day of Magh month by certain Hindu communities in North India . Please note that the Vat Amavasya Vrat in Jyeshta month (June – July) is also referred as Brahma Savitri Vrata. Not much information is available about this vrat. Reference of the vrat is found in the Narada Purana and other texts. 

Ascii Art is a graphic design uses characters on a computer keyboard to create images. Important characters in the Mahabharata and some of the important scenes in the epic have been created using Ascii Art by Koshy George. Arjuna Marrying Draupadi in Ascii Art Express Buzz reports “It is a challenge. But it makes you very happy when you finish something. It is that mysterious feeling that, ‘hey, there is a beautiful ascii rendition of a scene from Mahabharata lurking in an empty document in your word-processor. You just need to put the appropriate symbols at the appropriate places, and tada, the ascii art comes to life.’ That drives me,’’ Koshy George says. You can find more about Mahabharata in Ascii Art here at website of Koshy George. You may also like to read Mahabharata on Twitter

The images of a lemon in Ganesh form was sent to us by Howard Ulrich from Los Angeles in US. He discovered it on his lemon tree. Such naturally occurring murtis of Hindu Gods are known as Swayambhu. You can contact Howard Ulrich in this mail id hwulrich@gmail.com

Mathrubhumi is one of the leading newspapers in Kerala and their Malayalam calendar is one of the most sought after calendars. Mathrubhumi is now providing the calendar in pdf format. You can download the calendar in pdf format for free from the official website of Mathrubhumi newspaper. Link – Download Mathrubhumi Calendar 2011 in pdf  (no longer available after website redesign) Note - Mathurbhumi website is currently showing a broken link after their website update. Related Kerala Kaumudi Calendar 2012 download in pdf format

Kalady - The Triumph of Faith over Time is an authentic film on the birth and childhood of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya and the fascinating story of rediscovery of His birthplace by Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamigal, the 33rd Shankaracharya of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham. The DVD is of 110 minutes and is in English. You can get all information about the Documentary Film on Adi Shankaracharya in DVD and how to buy here at the official website – Kalady Film. Below embedded is a few minutes of the Documentary

In a temple tragedy on Friday, January 14, 2011 at the famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala more than 100 pilgrims have died in a stampede – the pilgrims numbering more than 200,000 were returning from Pullumedu in Idukki after witnessing the Makaravilakku and Makarajyothi on January 14, 2011. More than a million devotees had gathered in and around the mountains in Sabariamala to witness the annual Makaravilakku and Makarajyothi which concludes the two month long pilgrimage, which is believed to be the second largest pilgrimage in the world. Temple stampedes during festivals and auspicious days is nothing new in India. (Naina Devi Temple tragedy in 2008 – 145 Dead, Wai Temple Stampede in 2005 – 265 dead, Chamunda temple at Jodhpur (2008) – 147 dead, 63 after a temple gate crashed in UP in 2010...the list is endless. Government, politicians and public react to such incidents with usual statements and immediately forget about it. Stampede happens repeatedly and finally we find an e

The Google search logo on January 14, 2011 sports the kite festival observed during Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan in India. In 2010 too Google had joined tin he Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan festival. You may also like to read Makar Sankranti in Different Parts of India

Goddess Kalratri is a manifestation of Goddess Shakti and it is one of the fiercest form of Mother Goddess. During paush month (December – January) special rituals are held in some regions. Kalaratri Navratri is from January 23, 2024 to January 25, 2024. Although the festival and rituals are named as Navratri, it not observed for nine days and is only held for a couple of days. The rituals are observed from the Paush Shukla Paksha Trayodashi (13th day of waxing phase of moon in Poush month) to Paush Purnima (full moon day in poush month). Kalaratri is depicted as having four hands and her vehicle, or mount, is a donkey. She can curse and bless and is known to create havoc. This form primarily depicts that life also has a negative side – Tamas. Symbolically, the form of the Goddess exhorts a devotee to get rid the Tamasic qualities (bad, evil and negative tendencies). Kalaratri is also one of the forms of Goddess Shakti that is worshipped during the nine days of N

Linga Purana is one of the most important Puranas and is counted among the 18 major Puranas. Ling Puran narrates important episodes associated with Hindu God  Shiva. Now the Ved Puran website is offering the entire Linga Purana in Hindi online. It is not in pdf format. So you can only read it online. Link –  Read Linga Purana in Hindi online.

Bhishma Jayanti is believed to be the birthday of Bhishma Pitamah of the Mahabharata. It is observed on the Magh Krishna Paksha Navami or waning phase of moon in Magh month (January – February). Bhishma Jayanti 2024 date is February 4. Bhishma was the son of King Shantanu and Goddess Ganga ( Ganges River ). He was the greatest archer of his time. As promised to his father, he never became the King of Hastinapura even though he had the legitimate right for it. Instead he placed the sons of Shantanu’s wife Satyavati on the throne of Hastinapura.

Janma Nakshatram, or Nakshatra, is the birth star of a person as per Malayalam astrology calendar followed in Kerala. This particular predictions for 2012 is based on Moon sign and birth starts. It is also known as Janma Naal and there are 27 Nakshatrams in Malayalam Jyothisam or astrology. Astrological predictions known as Nakshatrabalam or Nakshatra Bhalam is made based on the stars. The 27 Janma Nakshatrams are Ashwathi, Bharani, Karthika, Rohini, Makeeyram, Thiruvathira, Punartham, Pooyam, Aayilyam, Makam, Pooram, Uthram, Atham, Chithira, Chothi, Vishakham, Anizham, Thrikketta, Moolam, Pooraadam, Uthradam, Thiruvonam, Avittam, Chathayam, Pooruruttathi, Uthrattathi and Revathi. Here is the Nakshatram Bhalam 2012 for various stars based on Moon sign or Chandra Rashi. You can read the predictions for 2012 here at Mathurbhumi Newspaper.

Ubhaya Saptami Vrat is dedicated to Surya, or Sun God, in Hindu tradition. It is observed during Shukla Paksha saptami, or 7 th day of waxing phase of moon, in Paush month. Ubhaya Saptami Vrat 2024 date is  January 17. In some regions this particular vrat is observed during both waxing and waning phase of moon in Paush month. In Ubhaya Saptami Vrat, the murti of sun god is bathed in Ganga water. Pujas are then performed. People consume only vegetarian meal on the day.

How to control the mind? Swami Vivekananda answers this tough question. The first lesson in controlling the mind is self awareness; sit for some time and let the mind run on. Let the monkey mind jump as much as he can; you simply wait and watch. (Swami Vivekananda used to compare a restless mind to a to a restless monkey which is stung by the scorpion of jealousy, drunk with the wine of desire, and possessed by the demon of pride.) Give the monkey the rein; many hideous thoughts may come into it; you will be astonished that it was possible for you to think such thoughts. But you will find that each day the mind’s vagaries are becoming less and less violent, that each day it is becoming calmer. In the first few months you will find that the mind will have a great many thoughts, later you will find that they have somewhat decreased, and in a few more months they will be fewer and fewer, until at last the mind will be under perfect control; but we must patiently practice

Malayalam Calendar 2012 followed in Kerala is provided by the Deepika Newspaper and Kerala Kaumudi in Kerala. The second calendar is that of Kerala Kaumudi is in pdf format. Last year Mathurbhumi had also provided their calendar online. The 2012 Malayalam calendar contains important festivals in Kerala and uses Malayalam language to mention Nakshatram and festival details. This Kerala calendar of 2012 of Deepika is not in pdf format. But you can save the webpage and use it. You can visit the newspaper website and download it here - Deepika Malayalam Calendar 2012 Kerala Kaumudi Calendar 2012 in PDF format - You download it here at Kerala Kaumudi calendar 2012 You may also like to read Download Mathurbhumi Calendar 2011

Annarupa Shasti is observed on the Shukla Paksha Sashti Tithi in Poush month in calendars followed in eastern parts of India . Annarupa Sashti 2024 date is January 16. The day is of great significance in certain parts of Bengal . The rituals are observed on the sixth day during the waxing phase or light phase of moon in Paush month (December – January). The rituals on the day are dedicated to Annarupa, the deity associated with food. This particular term used to describe the goddess associated with food is mentioned in the Rig Veda. The rituals on the day are for prosperity and good harvest.

Martand Saptami is dedicated to Hindu God Surya – the sun god. The rituals associated with Surya are observed on the saptami or seventh day during a lunar fortnight. Martand Saptami 2024 date is  January 17. It must be noted that Saptami associated with Surya are observed in different months in different regions. Martand Saptami is observed on the seventh day of waxing phase of moon or Shukla Paksha in Paush month in calendars followed in North India – in places like Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh. It is widely believed that Surya is the Pratyaksha Brahman. Prayers are offered for prosperity and good agricultural produce.

The book titled ‘A God For All Seasons – Lord Ganesha’ is written by Sutikshan Prakash. As the title suggests, the book is based on Ganesh, one of the most popular deities in Hindu Pantheon. The book contains important stories about Ganesh – most of them are a simple narration of popular stories. The author also attempts to weave into the popular stories some unknown facts and local folktales. A highlight of the book is the chapter dedicated to the symbolism of Ganesha. The book is published by Pragati Publications A God For All Seasons – Lord Ganesha By Sutikshan Prakash Pages 132 Price Rupees 500/-

Magh Mela is one of the most popular fairs in Uttar Kashi district in Uttarakhand in India . It is observed in the Magh Month (January – February). Dolis, or palanquin, carrying Hindu Gods and Goddesses from various parts of Uttarkashi are brought on the first day of the fair to the Ramlila Ground at Uttarkashi. Magh Mela lasts for more than a week. Today the fair is famous for the numerous stalls which display local produce and handicrafts. It must be noted that the most famous Magh Mela takes place at Sangam in Prayag ( Allahabad ) in Uttar Pradesh. This is spread over two months and is noted for the spiritual bathing.

Posh Month, or Paush or Poush Mahina, is the third month in a traditional Gujarati calendar followed in Gujarat, India. Paush Month 2022 in Gujarati Calendar is from December 24 to January 21, 2023. As per Vikram Samvat calendar, the current year in Gujarati Calendar is the Vikram Year 2079. Some of the important festivals in the Magsar month include Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti (January 14, 2022). Ekadasi Fasting Dates in Posh Maas Putrada Ekadasi - January 2 Shattila Ekadasi – January 18 Posh Maas Sud Padvo and Vad Padvo – Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha Poush Month Sud Padvo in 2022 (Waxing phase of moon) is from  December 24, 2022 to January 6, 2023. Paush Month 2023 Vad Padvo (Waning phase of moon) is from January 7 to January 21, 2023. Poonam or Purnima or full moon day Gujarati Poush month 2023 Posh poonam or Full moon day is on January 6, 2023. The Purnima begins at 2:14 AM on January 6 to 4:38 AM on January 7.  Purnima Vrat is on January 6, 2023 Shak

Sivananda Lahari is a Stotra dedicated to Hindu God Shiva composed by Adi Shankaracharya. Shivananda Lahari means waves of the bliss of Shiva. This particular Sivananda Lahari mp3 for free download is presented by Kamakoti website. The Stotra is chanted by Smt Rama Ramakrishnan. The audio is chanted in such a way that the listener can learn and memorize Sivananda Lahari. Link – Sivananda Lahari mp3 for free To download – right click on the file at the kamakoti website and use the save link as option. There total 9 mp3 files.

Somnath Temple authorities are providing online live darshan of the Shivling worshipped in the temple. Somnath Temple in Gujarat is one of the 12 Jyothirlingas and is also one of the most popular Shiva Temples. Live Darshan From Somnath Temple is from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM – Indian Standard Time. Note – it seems the live darshan is available only Internet Explorer browser. I was not able to view it in Firefox and Chrome. Did not try in Opera and Safari. Link – Live Darshan from Somnath Temple

Om Ekadantaya Vidimahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi Tanno Dantih Prachodayat All our thoughts to the one-tusked lord All our meditation upon him who has a curved trunk O Ganesha guide us on the right path