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Showing posts from February 28, 2014


Manibhadra in Hinduism

Manibhadra is the name of a Yaksha in Hinduism. Reference of this semi divine being is found in the Mahabharata. In Vana Parva Chapter 65 of the Mahabharata it is stated that a caravan of traders were attacked by wild elephants because they did not offer prayers to Manibhadra. Yakshas are semi-divine beings that can change form at will. In some texts, Manibhadra is associated with money and is also a guardian deity of a direction. Manibhadra is also an important deity in Buddhism and Jainism.

Tree of Enlightenment at Joshimath Associated with Adi Shankaracharya

There is a cave at Joshimath in Uttarakhand and it is believed that Adi Shankaracharya mediated and lived in the cave. Near this cave there is a mulberry tree which is known as tree of enlightenment. Locals refer to it as Kaplavriksha and existed since the times of Adi Shankaracharya. The tree is now very old and is not in a great condition. But the tree still foliages in the spring time. Joshimath or Jyotrimath is one of the four maths established by Adi Shankaracharya. The other three are the Sringeri Math in Karnataka, Govardhana Matha in Puri and Sharda Matha in Dwaraka.