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Showing posts from March 12, 2015


Man as Vahana of Kubera – Symbolism in Kuber Riding on Man

In Hindu culture, Kubera is the guardian of treasures and he is also the treasurer of Gods. Today, Kuber is widely associated with money, wealth and material possession. Thus we have fake pujas and rituals, fake yantras and fake products sold in the name of Kubera by many individuals and organizations with the promise of making people super rich. Here it is interesting to note that all the Hindu Gods and Goddesses have animals as their vehicle or Vahana. But Kubera rides on a man. There is only one symbolism of Kuber Riding on Man - how man can be easily made a slave of money, wealth and material possession. It is money that sets your direction; it is often money that decides which path you should take. Finally, a stage comes when it is money that makes all decisions. This image of kubera riding on man is a wakeup call for human beings to become the master of money not its slave. It must be noted that modern yantras, images and murtis of Kubera that are sold by individuals

Story Of The Birth Of Satyavati In The Mahabharata

Satyavati was the great grandmother of Pandavas and Kauravas. She is one of the most important characters in the Mahabharata. Story of the birth of Satyavati begins with a king named Uparichara Vasu. Uparichara ruled over the kingdom of Chedi and was renowned for his Dharma. He was married to Girika. One day, while moving through a forest, he was filled with desire to copulate but Girika was not to be found. Sitting under a tree, his seminal fluid came out. He collected it in a banyan leaf and asked his hunting hawk to carry it to Queen Girika. On the way, the hawk was attacked by another hawk and the leaf fell into the Yamuna River . In the river lived an Apsara named Adrika in the form of a fish and she swallowed it. The fish became pregnant and was caught by a fisherman. When he cut opened the unusually huge fish, he found a boy and a girl. He took the children to King Uparichara Vasu. The king soon realized what had happened. The fisherman pleaded wi

Goddess Aparajita

Goddess Aparajita is one among the numerous forms of Goddess Durga (as per some scriptures of Goddess Parvati. Aparajita means the unconquered and unconquerable. In this form, she is worshipped on the Vijayadasami or Dasara day. People worship this form of Durga for winning the battles of life.  The popular belief is that in the Aparajitha form, Mother Goddess vanquished all those that were practicing Adharma. She protected those following dharma. In Hindu iconography, she is depicted as a formidable and powerful woman with three eyes. Her hair is intricately styled like a crown, adorned with the crescent moon. She possesses four arms, each holding a different symbol: the pinaka (Shiva's bow), an arrow, a sword, and a shield. Her wristlet is formed by the serpent Vasuki, and she is often portrayed riding a lion. The Devi Mahatmya features a captivating hymn known as the 'Aparajita Stotram' (5.8-82). In this hymn, the Devas, led by Indra, sing praises to Devi to se

Bhileshwar Mahadev Temple at Dabhoi near Vadodara Famous for Mural Paintings based on Shiva – Parvati Wedding

Bhileshwar Mahadev Temple at Dabhoi near Vadodara in Gujarat is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is more than 150 years old. The temple is noted for its unique mural paintings depicting the marriage of Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Bhileshwar Mahadev Temple was built by Sayajirao Gaekwad II in 1830 to commemorate the battle of Dabhoi. The mural paintings depict the wedding procession and marriage rituals of Shiva and Parvati which is attended by Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.  Times of India reports  The paintings have vivid images of Goddess Parvati preparing for wedding and an ornate procession of Lord Shiva on 'Nandi' accompanied by followers.  The paintings, done in Jaipur fresco secco style, were done by artisans from Kota , in Rajasthan. The artists have used oxide colours and vegetable dyes to make the illustration. The temple is believed to be the only temple in Gujarat to have a wall painting of Lord Shiva's wedding.

Happy to go away – Swami Ranganathananda

An excerpt from an interview with Swami Ranganathananda. Swamiji was 96 during the interview. Author - How does this make your feel? How do you feel when you see the body is breaking down? Swami Ranganathananda - “Happy” came the unexpected answer. Author - “Happy?” Swami Ranganathananda - “Happy to go away.” Unlike worldly elders, whose comments about age usually reveal anxiety about the approaching “end”, Swami Ranganathananda did not shy away from train of thought. Swami Ranganathananda - “No fear…coming back again,” he added. How do you prepare for going away? I asked next. Swami Ranganathananda - “Mind is there already. No fear. Divine experience. I believe in rebirth. The Gita says you die and you are reborn again according to your karma. The next life goes on. Many lives continue. Then one day you may realize the highest. No more birth afterwards. You realize the Atman.” Do you anticipate a next birth? Swami Ranganathananda - If so