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Showing posts from November, 2012


Symbolism in the Six Heads of Muruga

Legend has it that six babies that were born the divine spark of Shiva were conjoined by Goddess Parvati and this led to the manifestation of Muruga or Kartikeya. There are numerous symbolisms regarding the six heads of Muruga. It is believed that the six faces of Muruga represents five elements – ether, fire, water, earth, air – and the sixth the sprit that infuses life into the beings formed by the elements. Some scholars especially those associated with yoga states that the six heads represents the six centers with the human body – six chakras. Nakkirar in his Tirumurugatruppadai (A classic book of the Sangam Age) states that : the first face removes the darkness and ignorance of the world and bathes it in light, the second grants boons to His devotees, the third protects yajnas, the fourth discourses upon the knowledge of the Self; the fifth destroys evil demons and the sixth glances lovingly at the face of Valli, (His bride from the hills). Source – an article

Chained Goddess Kali Murti at Siddha Kali Temple in Old Keonjhar Town in Orissa

Siddha Kali Temple , more than 800 years old, located in Old Keonjhar Town in Orissa is famous for the murti worshiped in the temple. The main murti (idol) in the temple is that of Goddess Kali and it is chained to the walls of the temple. Legend has it that a saint had tied the murti of Goddess Kali with chains so that she will not move out of the temple. This is a high form of Bhakti – where the all capturing Mother Goddess in her all mighty ferocious form decides to get tied to a chain to satisfy Her devotee. Shiva is worshiped in the temple as Mahakal. The most important day in the temple is Tuesday. Times of Indiareports  Situated at the foot of Gandhamardan hills and surrounded by forests, the temple offers an ambience that suits the mystery and eeriness that one associates with goddess Kali.  A researcher said 'Siddha Matha' was a place for practising tantra. Legend has it that kings used to visit the temple before setting out on hunting expeditions

Story - Reason Why Gandhari Lost Her Hundred Sons In The Mahabharata

At the end of the 18-day war in the Kurukshetra in Mahabharata, all the 100 Kauravas were killed. Gandhari the mother of the 100 sons wept inconsolably. She then wanted to know what bad Karma she had done in her previous life to undergo such suffering. A sage then explained to her that in her previous life she had accidentally crushed 100 turtle eggs. Queen Gandhari in her previous birth sat on a stone beneath which was hidden the eggs of a turtle. When she sat on the stone, it crushed the turtle eggs. The mother turtle who witnessed this heartbreaking scene cursed Gandhari that she too will suffer the loss of 100 children. This story is not part of the Mahabharata but is folk story associated with the epic in the eastern parts of India . The story is also an example of the core teaching of Hinduism that all karma has results and one will have to face it in this life or next life. Good karmas bring good results and bad karma brings bad results.  

Infinite happiness can be realized by the purified heart but is beyond the grasp of the sense – Bhagavad Gita

Self controlled, cut free from desire, curbing the heart and knowing the Atman, man finds Nirvana that is in Brahman, here and hereafter. (Chapter 5, 26) For when a man’s heart has reached fulfillment through knowledge and personal experience of the truth of Brahman, he is never again moved by the things of the senses. (Chapter 6, 8) Earth, stone and gold seem all alike to one who has mastered his senses. Such a yogi is said to have achieved union with Brahman. Then he knows that infinite happiness which can be realized by the purified heart but is beyond the grasp of the sense. He stands firm in his realization. Because of it, he can never again wander from the inmost truth of his being. (Chapter 6, 21) Related Twenty Values from Bhagavad Gita for a Happy and Peaceful Life

Goddess Gnanambika – About Hindu Goddess Jnanambika

Goddess Gnanambika is an incarnation of Mother Goddess Shakti. It is believed that Goddess Jnanambika along with Shiva helps a devotee in attaining wisdom necessary to overcome illusion and rest constantly on the Supreme Truth. The form of Goddess Gnanambika is mostly widely worshiped in South India especially in temples dedicated to Shiva in Tamil Nadu. As the Goddess is associated with knowledge there are also many people who equate Goddess Jnanambika with Goddess Saraswati. In most of the temples, Goddess Gnanambika is worshiped along with Shiva. The divine couple shows the importance of family life and the glory of Grihastashrama. 

Importance of Ganesh Murti (Idol) Made of Emerald or Panna Stone

Many Hindus believe that worshipping Ganesh Murti (idol) made of emerald or panna stone is highly auspicious and meritorious. This is based on the belief is that Ganesha rules Budh Grah (Mercury). As pert Hindu astrology, wisdom, intelligence and education are governed by Budh Grah. By worshipping emerald murti of Ganesh, Budh becomes benign and blesses the devotee. It also helps in reducing any bad phase associated with Budh Grah. Budh Graha, Mercury, is one among the navgrahas, nine planets, as per Hindu tradition. The movement of Budh Grah in a horoscope is very important in Hindu astrology. People who are associated with selling and making of Panna Stone Ganesh murti are of the opinion that worship of it helps in business and investments as it provides the right wisdom. Children who regularly offer prayers to Emerald stone murti develop good intelligence and perform well in their studies. Hindu Blog opinion Murti is a good help in improving concentration and focus

Jai Jag Janani Maa Durga Serial on Colors Television Channel on Goddess Durga

Colors TV Channel will be featuring a serial titled Jai Jag Janani Maa Durga based on the stories of Mother Goddess Shakti – Goddess Durga. The new Jai Jag Janani Maa Durga Serial will air from December 2012. You can see the promo of the new serial below in embedded form. Hindustan Times reports   Now, Colors plans to launch a new show based on Goddess Durga, titled Jai Jag Janani Maa Durga. It will be produced by Prem and Shiv Sagar of the Sagar group, which first rose to fame for their cult 1980s show Ramayan, which aired on Doordarshan. The makers have even found the right girl to play the goddess. A source says, “After a six-month-long hunt, the creative team found the right girl in Kolkata. She was selected on the basis of her sharp features — especially her big eyes. The actor, whose identity is still under wraps, will be launched with nine promos showcasing Durga’s different avatars and weapons, on November 10 tentatively. The show is slated to go on air in December

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Quiz

This Bhagavad Gita Quiz is based on the 18th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. The aim of the quiz is to understand few important teachings in the eighteenth chapter of the Gita. The questions might be tough. The aim of the quiz is to study Gita. You can use Bhagavad Gita in your home to find answers as this will help you in understanding Gita more. If there any mistakes or you would like to add more questions please mail the corrections and questions to hindublog@gmail.com Related Quiz on Chapter 17 of Gita

Bhagavad Gita Audio in Tamil mp3 format for free

Bhagavad Gita Audio in Tamil in mp3 format for free is provided by Swami Shri Adgadanad Ji’s of Yatharth Geeta. This downloadable Tamil Bhagavad Gita is strictly for personal use. You can only download the eighteen chapters separately in mp3 format. The file sizes are in the range of 50 MB and are divided into many files. You can download the Bhagavad Gita Audio in Tamil from this link –  Bhagavad Gita mp3 Tamil

Teachings from Vakya Vritti of Adi Shankaracharya

Direct knowledge of that total identity between the individual-Self and the Universal-Self, stemming forth from the Vedic statements such as “Thou art that”, etc., is the immediate means to liberation. Give up the intellectual misconception that the Self is the body, etc., and always meditate upon and think you to be the eternal Knowledge - Bliss – the Witness of the intellect – a sheer mass of Pure Knowledge. The body is not the Self, as like the pot, etc., the body also has form, etc., and again, the body is a modification of the great elements such as Akash, just like the pot. Just as the perceiver of a pot is ever distinctly different from the pot and can never be the pot – so too, you, the perceiver of your body, are distinct from your body and can never be the body – this you firmly ascertain in yourself. Source – Vakya Vritti of Adi Shankaracharya Translated by Swami Chinmayananda

High Resolution Angkor Wat Temples Pictures – Black and White Photos

High resolution pictures of Angkor Wat temples in Black and White are presented by Mark Johanson in the International Business Times. There are 25 photos of the various aspects of the temple including the Angkor Wat Temple , Bayon, Angkor Thom, Preah Khan etc. You can find the 25 images here at ibtimes (no more images on the site) Note – as all images are in a single page it might take some time to load.

Cow in Dreams – Meaning of Seeing Cow – Milk - Ghee in Dream

As per Hindu religion, seeing cow, milk products like ghee, curd, paneer etc in dream will bring in positive change in life. The belief is that if person dreams cow giving milk then he will be blessed with wealth and prosperity. If a person simply sees cow grazing or standing then he will be blessed with money, peace and high position in society and family. Soon such a person will be respected for some of his good acts. There will be also increase of wealth of family. Seeing ghee or curd or other milk products is also believed to be an indication achieving wealth in near future.

Diwali Festival Postage Stamps Issued by Israel

To celebrate the 20 years of diplomatic relations, Israel issued a set postage stamps dedicated to Diwali festival. The stamps focus and compare Diwali with Hanukah – Jewish festival of lights.  Times of Indiareports  India and Israel have released a set of postal stamps depicting their respective festival of lights, Diwali and Hannukah, to commemorate 20 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.  "In India we have a great respect for the Jewish faith, as we have for all other faiths. Today the release of the joint postal stamp not only celebrates a milestone in our diplomatic relations but also a common structural tradition, the festival of lights....both festivals celebrating the victory of good over evil", Sarkar said addressing India enthusiasts gathered to attend the ceremony.  The Indian stamp shows a row of traditional earthen lamps, diyas, representing Diwali and the Israeli stamp features a menorah with the word " Zion "

Hindu Woman Denied Abortion in Catholic Ireland Dies

Savita Halappanavar, 31, a Hindu woman, admitted to University Hospital Galway in the west of  Ireland , died of septicaemia a week after miscarrying 17 weeks into her pregnancy. She was denied a life saving abortion by Catholic Ireland – Irish abortion laws denied a termination because Catholic Church is against Abortion No words can console the irreplaceable loss of Savita Halappanavar. Let she attain Moksha and never suffer in this ignorant world. Death of Savita Halappanavar is nothing but a cold blooded murder of a human being who could have been easily saved. It does not matter whether the woman is Catholic or Hindu. It is pure commonsense that prime importance should be given to the life of the mother - she might have other children / she can in future give birth to more healthy children. Those responsible should be tried for murder. Government of India should make sure that those responsible for the death of Savita Halappanavar are punished and the victim’s family is

Shri Amar Kund – Holy Katasraj Temple Pond – Restored in Pakistan

Shri Amar Kund, the holy pond at Katasraj Temple , in Chakwal district in Pakistan was restored recently. The Pond associated with Hindu God Shiva had dried up due to excessive underwater usage. Dedicated to Shiva, the Katasraj temple is part of several Hindu Puranas. On hearing Sati’s death, two tears trickled down from Lord Shiva and fell on earth. It is believed that the pond at the Katasraj temple complex was formed by the tear that fell here. The temple was later built near the holy pond. The temple is mentioned in the Mahabharata and during their exile Pandavas stayed here for sometime. It is believed that the dialogue between Yaksha and Yudhishtar took place here. You can view pictures of Katasraj Temple and get more information about the restoration here at Rediff News

Srikantha – Manifestation of Shiva

Srikantha is a manifestation of Shiva. Srikantha means beautiful neck – the reference here is to the dark blue neck that Shiva got after drinking the halahala poison. Srikantha is also one of the ekadasarudras – 11 forms of Rudra Shiva. There are also other references in Mahabharata regarding how Shiva got the name Srikantha. It is said that Indra hurled a thunderbolt on Shiva and it made a mark on his throat and he got the name. Some ancient sculptors of Shiva as Srikantha depict him with five heads and 10 hands. Some sculptors give prominence to the blue throat. Goddess Shakti is referred to as Srikanthardhasaririni – who is half the body of Srikantha (Shiva).

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Quiz

This Bhagavad Gita Quiz is based on the 17th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. The aim of the quiz is to understand few important teachings in the seventeenth chapter of the Gita. The questions might be tough. The aim of the quiz is to study Gita. You can use Bhagavad Gita in your home to find answers as this will help you in understanding Gita more. If there any mistakes or you would like to add more questions please mail the corrections and questions to hindublog@gmail.com Related  Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Quiz Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Quiz

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Quiz

This Bhagavad Gita Quiz is based on the 16th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. The aim of the quiz is to understand few important teachings in the sixteenth chapter of the Gita. The questions might be tough. The aim of the quiz is to study Gita. You can use Bhagavad Gita in your home to find answers as this will help you in understanding Gita more. If there any mistakes or you would like to add more questions please mail the corrections and questions to hindublog@gmail.com. Related Chapter15 Quiz based on Bhagavad Gita Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Quiz

Goddess Aindri

Goddess Aindri is mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya and she is the Shakti of Indra . She is also counted among the seven mother or Saptamatrikas . It is said that in the battle against Chanda and Munda – she rode the king of elephants – Airavata – and carried the weapon thunderbolt. She also had thousand eyes. Goddess Aindri is not just the wife of Indra, the king of Devas. She represents his strength and power. Paintings of Goddess Aindri are part of many painting traditions in India . She is identified by the vajra weapon she holds. The term Aindri is not generally used when mentioning about the wife of Indra. Indrani or Sachi is the term to mention about wife of Indra.

Goddess Vishweshwari

Goddess Vishweshwari is a name used to refer to Mother Goddess Shakti. The term is used when Goddess Shakti is referred as the queen of all living and nonliving and the ruler of all being. As Goddess Vishweshwari is the protector –Mother to all. It is Devi Mahatmya that uses the term Goddess Vishweshwari to emphasize the role of mother taken by Goddess Shakti. She who is unimaginably ferocious towards those who practice Adharma is at the same time kind and benevolent towards her children who follow Dharma. Today Vishweshwari is used as an adjective to glorify various manifestations of Goddess Shakti and also Goddess Lakshmi. 

Book – About Graphic Novel – I am Spirit – The History of King Chitraketu

I am Spirit – The History of King Chitraketu is a graphic novel and is based on the story of King Chitraketu found in the Srimad Bhagavad Purana. The story of Chitraketu is of great importance as it deals with ignorance created by attachment, longing and grief. King Chitraketu had a son after long wait. His joy knew know bounds. But the child was killed by other jealous queens of Chitraketu. The grief of king was inconsolable and Sage Angiras and Sage Narada appeared before the king. They shed light on the ignorance which was resulting in intense mental agony. In nutshell this is the story of King Chitraketu. What is important to a reader is the knowledge that Sage Angiras and Sage Narada. It is universal and applicable in all ages. I am Spirit – The History of King Chitraketu has got some beautiful graphics. Currently only preview of the novel is available online for free. Full view is only available after a payment. Graphic Novel is an interesting concept as it is a