In Hinduism, praying before breakfast or any meal is considered an essential way to offer gratitude for the food received, acknowledging the divine source of sustenance. It’s a spiritual practice that connects the individual to the divine energy, purifies the food, and invokes blessings for health and well-being. Below is an expanded guide to performing a simple prayer before breakfast, along with details on which deities are ideal to worship, mantras, rare facts, and relevant traditions. Ideal Gods and Goddesses for Breakfast Prayers: Ganesha - Known as the remover of obstacles, praying to Lord Ganesha before any task, including meals, is essential in Hindu rituals. Annapurna - The Goddess of food and nourishment, Annapurna is worshipped for abundant food and blessings. Shakumbhari - The Goddess of vegetation and nourishment, often prayed to for health and prosperity. Saraswati - Goddess of wisdom, art, and learning, invoking her blessings ensures that the food nourishes both the

Gogaji Temple is a famous shrine dedicated to Shri Gogaji Maharaj – person who attained the status of Nath and is worshipped today. Gogaji Temple is located at Gogamedi in Nohar Tehsil in Hanumangarh District in Rajasthan. In 2024, Gogaji Temple Fair and Festival is from August 19 to September 18, 2024. The annual Mela and festival begins on Shravan Purnima and ends on Bhadrapada Purnima. The temple is visited by thousands of people and it is believed that Shri Gogaji Maharaj cures those bitten by snakes. He is also worshipped for wish fulfillments. The main murti in the temple is that of a Gogaji riding a horse. The architecture of the temple is an amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim elements. The Goga Navami day attracts many devotees which fall on the Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Navami. During the annual one-month mela a cattle fair is held. The annual Mela, is also known as Lakkhi Mela. The Mela is a grand affair, attracting devotees from states across India, such

Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute attached to the Sanskrit College in Mylapore is struggling like majority of Sanskrit related institutions and publications. Government apathy and lack of interest among Hindus in preserving the ancient language and Sanskrit texts are the main reason for the institute’s struggle. Times of India writes The institute, one of the three involved in Sanskrit research in the country , has been surviving on private donations . With not enough resources , the management is unable to pay the faculty the benefits of the sixth pay commission. Institute director V Kameswari said the Union government stopped its financial support in 1995, after which it has been solely dependent on donations . “The institute has a trove of rare palm leaf manuscripts and books not just about Sanskrit literature but also on architecture , fine arts , geography, history and astronomy in Sanskrit ,” says Kameswari. The institute was started as a private non-profit organisat

Overcoming apathy, or udāsīnatā , is a significant spiritual and psychological challenge that Hinduism addresses through a combination of philosophical teachings, devotional practices, and practical approaches. Apathy can manifest as a lack of motivation, interest, or enthusiasm, and it hinders spiritual growth. In Hindu philosophy, apathy is considered a form of tamasic (inert, dull) energy, which needs to be transformed through practices that invoke sattvic (pure, balanced) and rajasic (active, energetic) energies. 1. Philosophical Understanding: The Role of Apathy in Hinduism Apathy is tied to ignorance ( avidya ) and attachment ( moha ), which clouds one’s true nature and disconnects them from their spiritual path. According to the Bhagavad Gita , apathy results from an imbalance of the gunas (qualities) of tamas (darkness, lethargy). The solution is cultivating sattva (purity, knowledge) and rajas (activity, energy). Key teachings from the Bhagavad Gita : Chapter 3 (Karma Y

In Hinduism, a birthday is considered a sacred occasion, often referred to as "Janma Tithi" or "Janmadin". It is a time to express gratitude for life, seek blessings for the future, and pray for peace, prosperity, and success. The birthday celebration can involve special prayers, rituals, and offerings (puja) to invoke blessings from the deities. Here's an expanded explanation with prayers, puja steps, and mantras dedicated to Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati, Krishna, Lakshmi, Vishnu, and Saraswati. Ideal Gods and Goddesses to Worship on a Birthday Ganesha : Lord Ganesha is the remover of obstacles and is worshipped at the beginning of all auspicious occasions. Shiva and Parvati : Lord Shiva is the embodiment of auspiciousness and longevity, while Goddess Parvati represents the nurturing aspect of life. Krishna : Lord Krishna symbolizes joy, wisdom, and love. Goddess Lakshmi : The Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi is invoked for financial blessings and well-being

Overcoming Ambition in Hinduism: Practical Approaches and Spiritual Solutions Ambition, while often seen as a driving force for success, can also become a source of unrest and suffering if unchecked. Hinduism offers a range of practical solutions and spiritual approaches to manage excessive ambition. This is based on its core teachings of Dharma (duty), Karma (action), and Moksha (liberation). Here, we'll explore practical day-to-day solutions, relevant mantras, and stories from Hindu scriptures, along with insights on which deities to worship and how their blessings can help balance ambition with inner peace. 1. Practical Day-to-Day Solutions for Overcoming Excessive Ambition a) Practice Detachment (Vairagya) One of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism is learning detachment from the fruits of your actions, known as Nishkama Karma —acting without attachment to the results. This concept, central to the Bhagavad Gita , teaches that we should perform our duties without becoming obse

Reading of Bhagavatam – Srimad Bhagavad Purana (the avatars of Vishnu) – is considered highly meritorious. Malayalam Bhagavatha Parayanam is an important ritual in majority of temples in Kerala. Now you can download the entire Malayalam Bhagavatha Parayanam in mp3 for free. The total time is around 40 hours. The files have been divided into several mp3 files. Malayalam Bhagavatam audio is provided by Dr. A. P. Sukumar of Guruvayoor.com. Link – Malayalam Bhagavatam Audio The audio is of Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan's Bhagavatam Kilippattu and is uploaded by Dr . A . P. Sukumar. Please note that the blog is merely providing information about the source and we do not know about the quality of the rendition and the availability of the same every time on the website. Majority of the Hindu websites that provide bhajans or purnas disappear soon as they find it hard to maintain. This particular website has been surviving for more than 10 years and therefore the links s

In Hinduism, praying for a friend can be a deeply meaningful act of devotion. The idea behind such prayers is rooted in the belief in the interconnectedness of all beings and the wish for the well-being of others. There are several gods and goddesses one can pray to for the protection, success, and well-being of a friend. Each deity in Hinduism represents different virtues and attributes, so the prayers can vary based on the nature of the blessing you're seeking for your friend. Here are the steps, mantras, and prayers for some of the most revered deities in Hinduism, along with a few rare facts and additional information. General Steps for Praying for a Friend Cleanse Yourself : Before starting any prayer, take a bath or wash your hands and feet to purify yourself. Set Up a Small Altar : If possible, set up an altar with images or idols of the deities you want to pray to. Light a diya (lamp) and offer incense. Offer Prayers : Sit in a quiet, clean space and focus on the intention

He who has forgotten his true nature is alternately born and dies, turning round and round in the unceasing wheel of time, like a feather caught up in a whirlwind, until he realized the true nature of the Self. If he comes to see the individual self and its substratum, the Overself, then he becomes the substratum, i.e., Brahman, and escapes rebirths. The whole universe is as unreal as water in a mirage… do not forget the Self at any moment. Siddhis are simply for display and nothing more. They do not make for liberation. There can be no happiness in the state of disturbance caused by passions. Kaivalya Navaneetham – An Ancient Tamil Classic By Tandavaraya Swami Siddhis are simply for display and nothing more. They do not make for liberation. "Siddhis" refer to extraordinary psychic powers or abilities attained through yogic or meditative practices in various spiritual traditions, particularly in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. These powers include abilities

Overcoming Ambivalence in Hinduism: Solutions, Practices, and Inspirations Ambivalence, the state of having conflicting feelings, thoughts, or attitudes, can lead to indecision, stress, and confusion. In Hinduism, ambivalence is seen as a psychological and spiritual challenge that can be overcome through devotion, discipline, and alignment with the divine. Here are some practical, day-to-day solutions and spiritual approaches from Hindu teachings to overcome ambivalence: 1. Understanding Ambivalence in a Spiritual Context In Hinduism, ambivalence may be associated with the imbalance of the mind (Manas) and intellect (Buddhi). It is believed that the mind can be swayed by emotions and desires, creating conflict. The goal is to cultivate clarity and alignment between one's actions (Karma), thoughts, and higher purpose (Dharma). Bhagavad Gita speaks of overcoming ambivalence by establishing a clear connection with one's higher self, transcending attachment, and acting with steadf

"The Human Boundaries" is a 35 minute documentary on the life of the Hindu refugees from Pakistan in India by Rahul Riji Nair. Systematic violence, rampant discrimination, and widespread restrictions on religious freedom have led thousands of Pakistani Hindus to seek refuge in India in recent years. Sadly, the Government of India instead of helping is creating problems to the asylum seekers. A group of 151 Pakistani Hindus entered India on September, 2011 with a one month tourist visa. They came to take refuge from the various religious persecutions they had to face in Pakistan . The group which has a majority of children and women are now sheltered in a camp on the outskirts of New Delhi . But now their visa has expired and is facing deportation. Various organizations are fighting for the basic human rights of these people at the political and judicial level. Their story is a grim reminder of all those lives caught up in no man's land. As more boundaries are

In Hinduism, when a person or family is moving into a new house, it's common to seek blessings from deities through prayers, pujas, and rituals. These prayers are meant to bring prosperity, peace, happiness, and divine protection into the new home. The gods and goddesses most commonly worshiped for house-related blessings include Lord Ganesha , Goddess Lakshmi , Lord Vishnu , Lord Kubera , and Goddess Saraswati . Here's a detailed guide to prayers, mantras, and puja steps for a new house, focusing on these deities. Why Pray for a New House? Praying for a new house is believed to: Purify the space from any negative energy. Seek blessings for a happy, prosperous, and peaceful life. Invite divine energy and protection. Ensure harmony and smooth transitions into the new phase of life. Ideal Deities to Worship for a New House Lord Ganesha – The remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings. Goddess Lakshmi – The goddess of wealth, prosperity, and abundance. Lord Kubera – The

  Overcoming Ambiguity in Life: Hinduism’s Solutions and Practical Approaches Ambiguity is a natural part of life, where we often encounter uncertainty, confusion, and unclear paths. Hinduism, with its rich spiritual heritage, offers profound wisdom, practical solutions, and divine guidance for navigating ambiguity. Through mantras, stories, divine worship, and timeless teachings, individuals can cultivate clarity, resilience, and confidence in the face of life’s uncertainties. 1. Understanding Ambiguity Through Hindu Philosophy In Hinduism, ambiguity can be understood as a manifestation of Maya (illusion) or the transient nature of the material world. The core teaching of Advaita Vedanta emphasizes that true clarity comes from realizing the oneness of the self (Atman) with Brahman, the ultimate reality. Ambiguity arises when one is entangled in duality and forgets this higher truth. The solution lies in practicing detachment and aligning oneself with Dharma (righteousness). 2. Pract

In Hinduism, the well-being and long life of one’s parents is considered a noble aspiration, and children are often encouraged to pray for their parents' health, happiness, and longevity. Various deities are invoked for blessings in this regard, each representing a different aspect of protection, healing, and strength. 1. Deities to Worship for Parents' Long Life Lord Ganesha : The remover of obstacles and the god of auspicious beginnings. Invoking Ganesha ensures that all obstructions in the way of health and longevity are removed. Lord Shiva : Known as the destroyer of evil and the god of mercy, Shiva is worshiped for strength, protection, and long life. Lord Dhanvantari : The god of medicine and Ayurveda, Dhanvantari is invoked for healing and good health. Goddess Durga : The mother goddess and protector, Durga is worshiped for strength and protection against disease and misfortune. Goddess Kali : A fierce form of Durga, Kali is invoked for her power to eliminate threats and

Overcoming Amaxophobia through Hinduism: Practical Approaches and Spiritual Solutions Amaxophobia , or the fear of driving or being in vehicles, can be debilitating, but ancient Hindu practices offer holistic methods to address this. Hinduism emphasizes the balance between mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Overcoming such a fear requires a multi-faceted approach involving mantras, stories, divine inspiration, and practical solutions. 1. Understanding the Fear from a Hindu Perspective Hinduism teaches that fear arises from attachment and ignorance of the true nature of the self (Atman). The Bhagavad Gita explains that fear is rooted in the ego’s attachment to the physical body and worldly matters. The ultimate goal is to transcend fear through devotion (Bhakti), knowledge (Jnana), and practice (Sadhana). Key Concepts: Avidya (Ignorance): Fear stems from our ignorance of the true self. Samskaras (Impressions): Past experiences and subconscious impressions create recurr