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Showing posts from August 29, 2015


Trivikrama – Bhagavan Vishnu in Trivikrama Avatar

Trivikrama is one among the numerous names of Bhagavan Vishnu. The name Trivikrama comes from the giant form that he took during the Vamana Avatar. As he conquered the three worlds – sky, earth and underworld - with his feet – he got the name Trivikrama. The name and concept if more popular in South India. Legend has it that the Asura, or demon, King Mahabali made the utopian kingdom a reality. His fame spread all over the earth and the netherworld and slowly into the heaven. Indra, the king of Devas and the ruler of heaven, felt threatened by the growing popularity of Mahabali. Aditi, the mother of Indra, observed a penance called 'payovrata' to help her son and pleased with her devotion Vishnu was born as Vamana, a dwarf, to Aditi. Vamana approached Mahabali who was conducting a yajna. King Bali asked Vamana to choose anything that he wanted from his kingdom. Vamana asked for just three steps of land. And the king agreed readily. Suddenly, the dwarf sized

Anga Pradakshanam or Full-Body Circumnavigation of Hindu Temple

Those who have visited Hindu Temples in South India might have come across anga pradakshanam or full-body circumnavigation of the temple. The anga pradakshanam is performed around the sanctum sanctorum of the main deity in the temple. Sometimes it is performed on the outer parikrama of the sanctum sanctorum within the temple complex. The full-body circumnavigation of Hindu Temple is performed for wish fulfillment or as thanksgiving for favors received. Sometimes it is performed for early cure of a disease. It is also performed as part of sin redemption. Usually the devotee suffers bruises in the exposed part of the body due to the Full-Body Circumnavigation. The person performing the anga pradakshanam is helped by a friend or relative or devotee in completing the process. It can be performed for any number of times – 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10… In some temples, we come across people who are ready to perform the Anga Pradakshanam on our behalf for a token amount.

Raksha Bandhan Quotes – Swami Chidananda Saraswati

On this holy day of Raksha Bandhan there is so much to learn, so many vows to make. First, there are the ancient, traditional meanings, whereby girls and women remember their brothers – far and near – with love and affection. In exchange, all men and boys promise to protect their sisters – both against physical harm, and also against any kind of harm or dishonor to them. These are as crucial today as they were in the past. However, perhaps even more importantly, we must realize that the only way the world will survive is united as one family. Thus, now, we must also take the deeper, underlying meaning of Rakhi. We must vow to make the world our brothers and sisters – not only in theory, but also in practice. Let us use rakhi as a symbol of our universal brotherhood. May our girls and women lead the way toward this universal family as they tie rakhi bracelets on the wrists of not only their closest male friends, but also on the wrists of enemies. Let us use this holiday to re